After reading numerous reviews and praise for RED KROKODIL, I decided to pick it up for myself. The first and most important thing I can say is that this film is NOT for the average horror fan. But lucky for me, I happen to be an extreme horror fan and was not caught too off guard. The subject matter that RED KROKODIL touches on is very real and even more tragic.
RED KROKODIL tells the story of a man alone in an incredibly small apartment, fighting a losing battle to Russia's street drug known as Krokodil.
For those who don't know, Krokodil is a a powerful drug that makes heroine look like cough medicine. Known as Krokodil possibly for the ingredients used to make it, that make the skin around the injection site turn a green scaly color. Usually cut with gasoline or paint thinner, causing in horrible decay to flesh and sometimes resulting in amputation. It also greatly decreases the lifespan of the user from the first time injecting it.
After nuclear war wipes out the rest of humanity the man, who is never named, lives day to day dealing with agonizing pain, hallucinations and shortening life due to his addiction. Periodically escaping to his own little world of beauty while under the influence and visited by another man in a bunny mask that's actually a conjuring of his own mind. Soon his body starts to decay and he knows his end is nigh.
RED KROKODIL is a film that is the very darkness of a real life situation. The story is well told with there only the main three characters: the man, the apartment and the drug itself.
Wonderfully scored and equally beautifully shot, this film is a wake up call to the world. With out a doubt, an artful commentary piece depicting humanities self destructive behavior.
If you have a strong mind and stomach, then I highly recommend this film to fans of extreme horror that have more to them than just pure guts and gore. A movie that is sure to make your insides bleed, and you will thank yourself for enduring it.
