Kinatay (Butchered) (The Execution of P) poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Mercedes Cabral, Julio Diaz, Jhong Hilario, Maria Isabel Lopez, Coco Martin ... see more see more... , Lauren Novero , John Regala

A decent man who steps outside the law finds himself falling into an abyss in this violent thriller from Philippine director Brillante Mendoza. Pepoy (Coco Martin) is a young man studying to become a ... read more read more...policeman who has recently married his longtime girlfriend Cecille (Mercedes Cabral), with whom he has a baby. Between school, his wife and the baby, money is scarce for Pepoy, and an old friend, Abyong (Jhong Hilario), tells him he can make good money by helping out some local loan sharks with their collections. While his conscience objects, Pepoy agrees, but while the work involves scaring a few small time hoods at first, things take a grim turn when he's asked to tag along with Sarge (John Regala) and Vic (Julio Diaz) as they collect a debt from Gina (Maria Isabel Lopez), a junkie streetwalker who turns tricks under the name "Madonna." It soon becomes clear that Gina can't pay what she owes and if Sarge can't get cash, he'll take his payment in pain; he beats, rapes and tortures the woman repeatedly in the back of a van as captive Pepoy is taken along for the ride. Kinatay (the titles translates as "Slaughter") was an official selection at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

64% liked it

225 ratings

Critics

67% liked it

6 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Brillante Mendoza

Release Date: January 1, 2009

Invite friends to see

Get It:

Stats: 36 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

None yet... Got one?

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (36)

  • Ivan6655321
    November 6, 2010
    Ivan6655321
    (Note: Flixster's picture for this film is wrong)"Kinatay" is one of my 'quiet' must-see films, not just because of the Cannes directorial prize it has garnered, but also because of Brillante Mendoza's experimental style of filmmaking, which I reckon to be a refreshing touch to a... read moren industry pestered with endless recyclable ideas for movies to pass as 'blockbuster'. For the initial sequences, Brillante never bothered for sound editing, but instead used the seemingly nuisance-like sound(the assorted voices of people, jeepneys) to his advantage, transforming it with true verite' ability into an element to breath character into the film as a whole. But as it gradually enter the realm(the reality of violence and corruption) of the theme which it is pointing to the entire time, "Kinatay's" whole visual and sound texture became different; its realistically colorful display of everyday life in the slums and the city turned into a symbolic descent into the netherworld of crimes and profanities(not even bothering about geographical correctness) filled with darkness and aural ambiguities. Yet Brillante Mendoza's extreme inclination to portray psychological forebodings is also its major weakness. Though this might not be a problem for experienced film watchers, this particular slow build-up betrayed its main theme that when the film finally got to where it wanted to be, the audience is already exhausted and disinterested, this time accepting the violent display merely as "shock value", when it could have been taken in as a more profound destination . In some ways, this reminds me of the main exposition of "Apocalypse Now", only this time, there's no Kurtz to kill, but only a morality to waste based on a money-driven decision. (I'm inclined to create a full writing about "Kinatay's" symbolism and themes, but not right now).

View All Kinatay (Butchered) (The Execution of P) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jay Weissberg
May 17, 2009
Jay Weissberg, Variety

Mendoza strengthens his gift for describing space with inquisitive cameras, but as the helmer's star rises, his subtlety wanes, resulting in obvious statements made banal by heavy-handed ironies. Full Review

Rene Rodriguez
March 10, 2010
Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald

An exercise in experiential cinema, as well as a blistering critique of a society that drives its poorest to unimaginable acts for mere survival. Full Review

Jean-François Vandeuren
January 12, 2010
Jean-François Vandeuren, Panorama

Kinatay demeure, certes, une expérience cinématographique unique en son genre, et ce, à bien des égards%u2026 Mais une expérience ratée malgré tout. Full Review

Sukhdev Sandhu
May 17, 2009
Sukhdev Sandhu, Daily Telegraph

Frankly, most people will find Kinatay either unremittingly tedious, harrowing or vile. Possibly all three. Mendoza is no gore-hound. He's more serious than Noe. This is a fiercely moral and horribly ... Full Review

Mike Goodridge
May 17, 2009
Mike Goodridge, Screen International

A nerve-shredding exploration of crime which is both repellent and grimly compelling. Full Review

Dave Calhoun
January 1, 2009
Dave Calhoun, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

Andrew Schenker
April 22, 2011
Andrew Schenker, House Next Door

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

This list looks lonely.
Add a suggestion!

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Kinatay (Butchere... : Watch Free on TV

Kinatay (Butchered) (The Execution of P) Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Kinatay (Butchered) (The Execution of P). Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Kinatay (Butchered) (The Execution of P) to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?