Party Monster

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Party Monster

R

2003

1h 38m

Biography

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

24%

Tomatometer

72 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In this film based on a true story, Michael Alig (Macaulay Culkin) arrives on a Greyhound bus in New York City desperate to leave his boring Midwestern past behind. After meeting downtown club kid James St. James (Seth Green) and influential nightclub owner Peter Gatien (Dylan McDermott), a fame-hungry Alig decides to throw the most controversial and over-the-top parties in the city. In just a few years Alig's drug addiction and erratic behavior threaten to destroy the empire he's created.

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Critics Consensus

The lurid display of camp soon turns tedious.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Mar 12, 2018

There isn't an ounce of genuine affection on display.

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Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

Dec 12, 2003

2/4

It's the drunk-guy- at-the-party syndrome: The only one truly entertained by the clown with the lamp shade on his head is the clown with the lamp shade on his head -- or folks similarly inebriated.

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Eric Harrison

Houston Chronicle

Dec 5, 2003

C-

A mess.

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David Ehrenstein

New Times

Oct 3, 2017

... shows that there's a lot more to this sordid story than first meets the jaundiced eye.

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Matt Kelemen

Las Vegas CityLife

Mar 30, 2004

Rule No. 1: If you use black humor in a film about real-life characters and events, make sure you have a feel for it first.

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Paul Sherman

Boston Herald

Feb 2, 2004

1/4

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Jasmine W

@jasniquejewels Aug 31, 2026

this film was a fever disco dream a high feeling from just watching in the best way. very inspiring of 90s club kid, the makeup and costumes were very creative.

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rio A

@RT13942686 Aug 7, 2026

This is gonna sound weird but this movie made me come out

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Linza F

@RT71240382 May 19, 2026

I watched this movie as a child and still think about it and watch it. This cast is insane and such a wild era. I thought it was fabulous.

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ross s

@Riosocool Dec 11, 2025

The single greatest movie of all time

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Sep 4, 2025

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Shawna R

@Shawnarrr Aug 25, 2025

A bold and engrossing drama.

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Fenton Bailey

Director

Randy Barbato

Director

Macaulay Culkin

Michael Alig

Seth Green

James St. James

Chloë Sevigny

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Natasha Lyonne

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Synopsis

In this film based on a true story, Michael Alig (Macaulay Culkin) arrives on a Greyhound bus in New York City desperate to leave his boring Midwestern past behind. After meeting downtown club kid James St. James (Seth Green) and influential nightclub owner Peter Gatien (Dylan McDermott), a fame-hungry Alig decides to throw the most controversial and over-the-top parties in the city. In just a few years Alig's drug addiction and erratic behavior threaten to destroy the empire he's created.

Director: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Producer: Jon Marcus, Brad Simpson, Christine Vachon, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Screenwriter: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Distributor: ContentFilm, Strand Releasing, DEJ Productions
Production Co: ContentFilm, World of Wonder, Killer Films
Rating: R
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 5, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $668.1K
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo

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