The Cleanse

Name: The Cleanse
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Comedy
Released: May 4, 2018
Duration: 81 min
Rating: 58
Cast: Anjelica Huston, Anna Friel, Barbara Gruen, Candus Churchill, David Lewis

2018

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 5 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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6.3

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6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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The Cleanse

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Movie Details & Credits

Vertical Entertainment | Release Date: May 4, 2018 | R

Starring: Anjelica Huston, Anna Friel, Barbara Gruen, Candus Churchill, David Lewis, Diana Bang, Johnny Galecki, Josh Ssettuba, Kevin J. O'Connor, Kyle Gallner, Loretta Walsh, Mark Acheson, Oliver Platt, Steve Blum

Summary: Paul Berger (Johnny Galecki) is an unemployed, down and out, heartbroken man searching for happiness. When Paul sees an ad for a spiritual retreat promising to restart your life, he immediately signs up, hoping to cleanse himself and fix his broken life. But after only a few days, he discovers the cleanse is releasing more than justPaul Berger (Johnny Galecki) is an unemployed, down and out, heartbroken man searching for happiness. When Paul sees an ad for a spiritual retreat promising to restart your life, he immediately signs up, hoping to cleanse himself and fix his broken life. But after only a few days, he discovers the cleanse is releasing more than just everyday toxins… a lot more.… Expand

Director: Bobby Miller

Genre(s): Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 81 min

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Critic Reviews

Gary Goldstein

May 3, 2018

Although it may evoke such films as "Gremlins" and "The Lobster," as well as David Cronenberg's earlier work, writer-director Bobby Miller's oozy, eerie, yet weirdly soulful yarn feels like an original. Read full review

Justin Chang

Apr 4, 2018

You might wish that the ending, and the story overall, had packed a bit more dramatic oomph, but Miller’s decision to keep the emphasis entirely on character and theme shows impressive confidence. He gives the movie all the juice it needs. Read full review

Kim Newman

Apr 4, 2018

By no means a conventional horror film, yet several degrees more twisted and gruesome than the average indie relationships drama, this is likely to appeal to more adventurous cult film fans. Read full review

John DeFore

Apr 4, 2018

Miller knows exactly how the third act should play, and he manages (thanks in part to the increasingly intriguing creature work) to reach an emotionally satisfying conclusion without resorting to some big Gremlins-gore action climax. Read full review

Jeannette Catsoulis

May 3, 2018

The Cleanse” embarks on an allegorical journey with only the vaguest notion of a destination. As a result, the movie feels frustratingly repetitive — a single joke repeated ad nauseam. Read full review

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User Reviews

Lionarith

Dec 31, 2021

Stellar performance from the actors. Don't take it too seriously, but don't dismiss it as shallow comedy either. Good directing and writing. Stands out in the vast dry steppe of netflix movies. It is a 7 out of 10 as a film i guess, but an 8 out of 10 as a netflix production. SpecialStellar performance from the actors. Don't take it too seriously, but don't dismiss it as shallow comedy either. Good directing and writing. Stands out in the vast dry steppe of netflix movies. It is a 7 out of 10 as a film i guess, but an 8 out of 10 as a netflix production. Special Mention: It shows how music is done right - scene after scene. (Bad example of this would be "Lost in Space"). More like this please.
Very special mention: J. P. Persona is hilarious.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

AWESOM-0

Mar 23, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Entertaining and achieves its point. Not subtle in the metaphor but all encompassing and complete in expressing the battle against the negative emotions.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLau

Sep 18, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Unwatchable parody of self-help programmes where participants at a camp drink weird stuff to release toxins that take the form of pet-like creatures.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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