Leofwine_draca The title, DVD cover and blurb all conspire to make this film look like a Thai slant on the torture porn sub-genre, but the truth is that it's nothing like that. It's much better! Yes, it's a gory movie in which bodily dismemberment and death play major roles, but this is only part of the movie. In many ways, MEAT GRINDER is much more of a psychological horror film, exploring one woman's mental disintegration when faced with infidelity and violence. You could take out all the blood and guts and the film would be just as effective; it works best as a character study rather than a movie that just goes out of its way to nauseate.One thing you notice first is Tiwa Moeithaisong's direction, which is definitely above par for the genre. Moeithaisong banishes memories of poor horror fodder like GHOST GAME and HELL to tell an engaging, speedily-paced movie that doesn't let up from the word go. Mai Charoenpura's performance as the put-upon stall owner is decent, as she keeps you on-side unlike many horror villains. The film in many ways reminds one of the equally icky DUMPLINGS (which were served up containing human foetuses) but MEAT GRINDER is offbeat and engaging enough to work all of its own.

billcr12 The Meat Grinder is the appropriate title for this graphic torture film from Thailand. An extremely unstable young woman who sees things in her head opens a noodle shop with very special dumplings, made out of, you guessed it, human bodies.Buss(Mai Charoenpura) is shown to have been abused as a child by her mother and father, this seems to be the explanation for her irrational behavior as an adult with a daughter of her own. Her shop becomes popular with customers raving about the great food and so she must continue killing people to keep the diners satisfied.The mood is ominously dark and Mai is chilling in the lead role. The movie is quite graphic, so be prepared for buckets of blood. It is better than Saw, which I believe is overrated.

thomvic Meat Grinder has what a lot of horror films offer -gore, the flashback of a tormented past and that Asian horror quality that you can only imagine coming from these parts of the world. At the same time, this is a film with a tortured protagonist who can't seem to find her way out of emotions of revenge, trauma and a very sick recipe passed down by her family.I'm a big fan of Asian horror films as they bring such a unique quality to their stories and really know when to build up suspense rather than just throwing it at your face. The plot of Meat Grinder involves a woman with her daughter who has to pay back a debt owed by her husband who is now gone otherwise her house will be taken away. She opens up a noodle shop to try to make ends meat while also doing some highly peculiar deeds in the back room if you know what I mean.Mai Charoenpura who plays Buss is phenomenal as the lead and creates a crazy but sympathetic character who sort of doesn't know where her mind has gone to since her childhood. I won't reveal anymore but the last ten minutes of the film really make you feel more sympathetic rather than angry towards the character.Because the film also reveals its intentions very early on in the film at the beginning, it tries to make you connect with the character rather then resent her for her actions - and I have to say it worked even though you're thinking in the back of your mind what she is doing is sick. But you will have to see for yourself.All I can say is (very minor spoiler) - don't eat any meat while watching this as it might spoil your appetite.

krakanova Wow. The film surprised me. I thought I would leave a comment because this film has so few reviews. This was a very romantic torture porn with a crazy woman who runs a restaurant and slashes her customers' or adversaries' calves and puts them up on meathooks as if Leatherface. But this is not The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and this is not Saw or Guinea Pig.The film is worth watching for the visuals and great operatic music. The primary colors of blood and blue are saturated and the director makes what is boring about these types of movies vibrant. It is very eye magnetic.I have found torture pornographies to be very dull and exploitative in a way that I do not like (e.g. Hostel 2), but this was different. And it is one of only three Thai horror films that I like. Check it out.