Party Monster

Play trailer

Party Monster

R

2003

1h 38m

Biography

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

29%

Tomatometer

77 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In this film based on a true story, Michael Alig (Macaulay Culkin) arrives on a Greyhound bus in New York City desperate to leave his boring Midwestern past behind. After meeting downtown club kid James St. James (Seth Green) and influential nightclub owner Peter Gatien (Dylan McDermott), a fame-hungry Alig decides to throw the most controversial and over-the-top parties in the city. In just a few years Alig's drug addiction and erratic behavior threaten to destroy the empire he's created.

Watch on Prime Video

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

The lurid display of camp soon turns tedious.

Read Critics Reviews

David Ansen

Newsweek

03/12/2018

There isn't an ounce of genuine affection on display.

Go to Full Review

Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

12/12/2003

2/4

It's the drunk-guy- at-the-party syndrome: The only one truly entertained by the clown with the lamp shade on his head is the clown with the lamp shade on his head -- or folks similarly inebriated.

Go to Full Review

Eric Harrison

Houston Chronicle

12/05/2003

C-

A mess.

Go to Full Review

David Ehrenstein

New Times

10/03/2017

... shows that there's a lot more to this sordid story than first meets the jaundiced eye.

Go to Full Review

Film Threat

12/06/2005

3/5

Matt Kelemen

Las Vegas CityLife

03/30/2004

Rule No. 1: If you use black humor in a film about real-life characters and events, make sure you have a feel for it first.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Linza F

@RT71240382 May 19

I watched this movie as a child and still think about it and watch it. This cast is insane and such a wild era. I thought it was fabulous.

See more

ross s

@Riosocool Dec 11

The single greatest movie of all time

See more

thiago s

@Thiagostone Sep 4

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

See more

Shawna R

@Shawnarrr Aug 25

A bold and engrossing drama.

See more

Geoff M

@madsongeoff 07/07/2025

Culkin and Green are equally fine in their roles, which on the surface seem to require nothing more than mincing, prancing, posing and a bit of Clockwork Orange makeup. But their performances and roles dig deeper throughout the climax and resolve

See more

Stephen C

@bob25009 07/01/2025

Based on a true story in 1 hour and 38 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $668,100.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Fenton Bailey

Director

Randy Barbato

Director

Macaulay Culkin

Michael Alig

Seth Green

James St. James

Chloë Sevigny

Gitsie

Natasha Lyonne

Brooke

The Notorious Bettie Page

58%

51%

The Notorious Bettie Page

Watchlist

I'm Not There

76%

69%

I'm Not There

Watchlist

Boys Don't Cry

90%

87%

Boys Don't Cry

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Boys Don't Cry

Men of Honor

42%

81%

Men of Honor

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Men of Honor

Auto Focus

71%

62%

Auto Focus

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

In this film based on a true story, Michael Alig (Macaulay Culkin) arrives on a Greyhound bus in New York City desperate to leave his boring Midwestern past behind. After meeting downtown club kid James St. James (Seth Green) and influential nightclub owner Peter Gatien (Dylan McDermott), a fame-hungry Alig decides to throw the most controversial and over-the-top parties in the city. In just a few years Alig's drug addiction and erratic behavior threaten to destroy the empire he's created.

Director: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Producer: Jon Marcus, Brad Simpson, Christine Vachon, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Screenwriter: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Distributor: ContentFilm, Strand Releasing, DEJ Productions
Production Co: ContentFilm, World of Wonder, Killer Films
Rating: R
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 5, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $668.1K
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo