Headline: A Blood-Soaked Triumph for Animal Rights Activists, Or a Terrifying Tale of Revenge?
The highly anticipated Dutch horror-thriller Meat Kills is officially in theaters in the Netherlands today, but it’s already been making a name for itself on the festival circuit. The film had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest 2025 and was also selected for the prestigious Sitges International Film Festival. The director, Martijn Smits, said his goal was to create “a bloody, uncompromising horror experience around one of the most primal and provocative topics of our time: meat consumption.”
A Film That Pushes Boundaries
The film plunges viewers into a nightmarish clash between radical animal liberation and a desperate farmer. The story follows a young activist, Mirthe (Caro Derkx), who infiltrates a local pig farm to secretly film its horrors. When her activist group finds the pigs already slaughtered, their mission shifts from rescue to brutal revenge. However, as the violence escalates, the lines between right and wrong begin to blur, leaving viewers to question their own allegiances.
According to a review, Meat Kills “wears its inspirations on its sleeve and pulls off homages rather than copy/paste from the greats.” The film channels the gritty energy of early 2000s horror films like Wrong Turn and High Tension. The filmmakers reportedly shot on location at a real pig farm at night, with the actors lying in real pig juices and smelling the blood and sweat from that day’s work. The realism was so intense that one of the actors decided to go vegan after the experience.
From a Punch to the Gut to a Shot at an American Remake
Early reviews for Meat Kills have praised its provocative themes and relentless brutality. Critics have called it a “thrilling and exciting watch from start to finish,” noting its excellent use of practical effects and sharp writing. The film is not for the faint of heart, as it uses intense and gruesome violence to deliver a powerful message.
Director Martijn Smits has expressed his gratitude for the film being selected for Fantastic Fest, saying he can’t wait to share the story with an audience that is “hungry for visceral, morally complex storytelling.” He also revealed that the team is already exploring the possibilities for an international remake to bring the film to a wider audience.
