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The Tattooist

  • 2007
  • R
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
5.1/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
The Tattooist (2007)
Home Video Trailer from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Play trailer1:56
1 Video
11 Photos
DramaHorrorThriller

A young artist unknowingly plays a role in releasing a deadly spirit as he attempts to learn tatau, the Samoan tradition of tattooing.A young artist unknowingly plays a role in releasing a deadly spirit as he attempts to learn tatau, the Samoan tradition of tattooing.A young artist unknowingly plays a role in releasing a deadly spirit as he attempts to learn tatau, the Samoan tradition of tattooing.

  • Director
    • Peter Burger
  • Writers
    • Matthew Grainger
    • Jonathan King
  • Stars
    • Jason Behr
    • Mia Blake
    • David Fane
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.1/10
    3.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Burger
    • Writers
      • Matthew Grainger
      • Jonathan King
    • Stars
      • Jason Behr
      • Mia Blake
      • David Fane
    • 30User reviews
    • 31Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Tattooist
    Trailer 1:56
    The Tattooist

    Photos10

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    + 6
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    Top cast41

    Edit
    Jason Behr
    Jason Behr
    • Jake Sawyer
    Mia Blake
    • Sina
    David Fane
    David Fane
    • Mr. Va'a
    Robbie Magasiva
    Robbie Magasiva
    • Alipati
    Ian Vincent
    • The Tattooist…
    Caroline Cheong
    • Victoria
    Nathaniel Lees
    Nathaniel Lees
    • Mr. Perenese
    Michael Hurst
    Michael Hurst
    • Crash
    John Bach
    John Bach
    • Lazlo McFadden
    Matailiili Denzel Tuimaunga
    • Osone
    Glen Jackson
    • Cousin #1
    Edmund Paongo
    • Cousin #2
    Fasitua Amosa
    • Dr. Lima
    Lauren A Jackson
    Lauren A Jackson
    • Triage Nurse
    • (as Lauren Jackson)
    Alison Bruce
    Alison Bruce
    • Charge Nurse
    Allison Strickett
    • Second Nurse
    Pip Hall
    Pip Hall
    • Third Nurse
    Dean Sacred
    • Canine
    • Director
      • Peter Burger
    • Writers
      • Matthew Grainger
      • Jonathan King
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews30

    5.13.3K
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    Featured reviews

    9bjt55

    You have found the next movie to rent

    If you are like me, you use this site to Gage what to rent. I am shocked this movie got such a low rating (5.1 stars when I checked), in fact I almost didn't rent it because of that, I only picked this up because fangoria gave it a great review. My best advice is to watch the preview, and if you think it looks good then watch it. The preview is not misleading at all, and the movie has much more to offer. I was happily impressed with this movie. The Acting was great, the scenes were visually enticing, and even brought you into a different culture. The idea was truly refreshing and also pulled off very well. I have seen plenty of movies with great ideas, but it was too hard to pull off, which ruiend the movie. This however, was not one of them.

    Now with this review you are probably wondering why I didn't give more than 10 stars. That is because the first 45 minutes were slow, and at the time almost seemed irrelevant. Turns out (of course) they are not all irrelevant. There were just some funny things I noticed, like a guy comes into his shop and he just starts tattooing the guy without asking what he wanted. Overall this movie was great and I strongly recommend it to any true horror fan (that means if you like movies such as "The Titanic" and dislike horror films, don't rent this to give it a bad rating.) This movie will not have you at the edge of your seat, or give you nightmares, or make you jump, but it will make you realize that they still make great creative horror movies that are truly a treat to watch
    6HumanoidOfFlesh

    Mildly interesting tattoo horror.

    "The Tattooist" tells the story of an American tattoo artist Jake Sawyer,who is a global wanderer who explores ethnic themes in his designs.While he is in New Zealand he unknowingly plays a role in releasing a deadly spirit with a penchant for delivering death by indelible ink as he attempts to learn tatau,the Samoan tradition of tattooing.Tatau is a traditional tattoo worn by males,on the middle of their torsos,starting just below the lat area and continues down to the knees."The Tattooist" has some impressive moments of horror among many boring spots,where literally nothing happens.The film's subject is unusual as is the cultural context and the death scenes are suitably graphic.Unfortunately the character of Jake is barely developed and the first half of the film is pretty dull.6 out of 10.
    5MovieGuy01

    Quite a good horror movie...

    I thought that the Tattooist was quite a good horror movie. It was about an American tattoo artist called Jake Sawyer, who travels the world, exploring different ethnic themes in his tattoo designs. At a tattoo expert in Singapore, he gets his first glimpse at the exotic world of traditional Samoan tattoo (tatau), and, in a thoughtless act, unwittingly unleashes a powerful angry spirit. In his journey into Pacific mysticism, Jake must find a way to save his new love, Sina and recover his own soul. This ended up being a good horror film and i would strongly recommended it to viewers. And it also gave a good look into how Samoan tattoos are made.
    8Rabh17

    Thoughtful horror that moves at a measured pace

    I am guessing that a lot of the low ratings have more to do with the fact that this movie does not immediately start splattering the audience with buckets of blood and splitting your ears with crescendoing screams.

    This movie is NOT following the normal Hollywood script. There's no "Oh yeah-there's the Monster" There's no parade of "Oh Yeah, the A-hole is gonna get it"

    This is Horror from the Suspense side of the formula. It's a story of a Guy who does something wrong in the pursuit of his art. And something is unleashed in return. Consequences and collisions occur in the context of a different continent and its own cultures and messy histories.

    No, it's not a DEEP movie, but it's an interesting departure from the usual fare. Nor is it a non-stop splatterfest.

    Watch this when you're in the right mood-- somewhere in the middle where you just want a good movie to fill the time and give you a story from a different place besides Hollywood.
    6paulclaassen

    Enjoyable mystery horror thriller.

    Considering the film's low budget, the visuals are very well done. The film has some disturbing images with cringe worthy gore, as well. 'The Tattooist' follows a tattoo artist who must learn the secret of why everyone he tattoos, is cursed and ultimately die horribly. This was in interesting mystery horror thriller with some twists thrown in the mix, as well. The film has a simple plot, so this is easy viewing and fun at that. Jason Behr was very good as the Tattooist.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Quotes

      Jake Sawyer: [to Lemi] We know you didn't run... the shame is lifted

      Mr. Va'a: The shame... HASN'T ENDED

      Jake Sawyer: He was infected... you infected him... you SHOULD'VE TAKEN HIM TO A HOSPITAL!

      Mr. Va'a: They WOULDN'T HAVE UNDERSTOOD... If they had knew that i had done this i WOULD'VE BEEN SHAMED FOREVER

      Jake Sawyer: So your lies... BROUGHT SHAME ON HIS FAMILY INSTEAD

    • Connections
      References Psycho (1960)

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    FAQ20

    • How long is The Tattooist?Powered by Alexa
    • Is this movie based on a book?
    • Are the tattoos real?
    • Any recommendations for other movies in which tattoos play a prominent role?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 30, 2007 (New Zealand)
    • Countries of origin
      • New Zealand
      • Netherlands
      • Singapore
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site (New Zealand)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Samoan
    • Also known as
      • El tatuador
    • Filming locations
      • Florence Court, Omana Avenue, Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand
    • Production companies
      • Daydream Productions
      • Eyeworks Touchdown
      • Mediacorp Raintree Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $645,898
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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