Mirthe, eager to prove herself to the radical ‘Animal Army,’ secretly films cruelty at a pig farm and is sent back to free the animals—only to find them already slaughtered. As the group’s leader, Nasha turns vengeful against the farmer’s family, and Mirthe is caught between her conscience and a violent showdown, forced to fight for her own survival.
“Meat Kills” (“Vleesdag”) pays clear tribute to the wave of horror films from the early 2000s, channeling the gritty energy of titles like “Hatchet,” “High Tension,” “Wrong Turn,” and the FINAL DESTINATION franchise. Like those films, it delivers a straightforward plot wrapped in unapologetically bloody spectacle.
The narrative follows Mirthe (Caro Derkx), an ambitious young woman eager to join the extremist group ‘Animal Army,’ which is bent on putting an end to animal slaughter for food. To prove her dedication, she lands a job at a pig farm, secretly filming the animals’ bleak conditions. With the assistance of Humphrey (Tommy Zonneveld), a seasoned activist, Mirthe shares her footage to demonstrate her resolve. Their leader, Nasha (Emma Josten), is impressed by Mirthe’s daring and allows her into the group.
The activists’ first major operation is a return to the farm, hoping to vandalize the property and free the livestock. But their plans unravel when they discover the pigs have vanished. The situation grows tense after Jacco (Derron Lurvink), the farm owner’s son, catches them in the act. The group detains Jacco, attempting to scare him, but events escalate rapidly. When Jonas (Bart Oomen), the farm’s owner, comes home to find intruders, he reacts with shocking violence, trapping the activists in a fight for survival.
Screenwriter Paul de Vrijer and director Martijn Smits keep the action contained within the pig farm’s isolated confines, intensifying the claustrophobic fear that defines classic horror. At first, viewers are led to side with the activists and their mission, but as their tactics become increasingly extreme, the film gradually shifts its perspective. The lines between right and wrong blur, and viewers may start to sympathize with the farmer and his family instead. This shifting sense of morality is at the heart of the film, encouraging audiences to question just how far someone should go for their convictions.
The script gives depth to both the activists and the farmer, making clear how personal the stakes are for each. The activists’ fervor is palpable, but the film doesn’t ignore the farmer’s reality—his livelihood and family tradition are on the line. Smits skillfully manipulates the audience’s loyalties, moving them between the two camps until the escalating violence leaves survival as the only priority.
As the story builds towards its finale, what seems like a predictable resolution is suddenly overturned, keeping viewers uncertain until the very end. The acting is strong across the board, with Emma Josten’s Nasha especially memorable; her transformation from driven leader to near-obsessive zealot is both chilling and sympathetic.
All told, “Meat Kills” is a sharp, effective homage to early 2000s horror, blending suspense, ethical ambiguity, and visceral shock into a movie that lingers long after the credits. For those who can stomach its brutality, it’s both gripping and intellectually challenging.
“Meat Kills” had its World Premiere at Fantastic Fest 2025 on Friday, September 19th
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