Party Monster

Based on James St James' brutal memoir Disco Bloodbath, Macaulay Culkin stars as the notorious king of the Club Kids in the film that lives up to its name.

Michael Alig is on the rise. After arriving in New York City as a bright-eyed wannabe, club promoter James St James takes him under his reluctant wing. But soon he realises that he has created a monster, as Michael becomes the leader of the New York Club Kids, achieving national notoriety on the club scene.

As their movement gains momentum, their unchecked excess leads to a brutal crime that shocked America.

Curators note
Murder aside, the New York Club Kids scene might actually have been good company to keep. The scene was home to some of the biggest icons recognised today: RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Amanda Lepore, Lady Bunny, Suzanne Bartsch. Assembled to bring these superstars to life on screen are a cast equally at home in drag, dressed as a troll or a dancing chicken: Macaulay Culkin, Seth Green, Wilson Cruz (My So-Called Life), Chloë Sevigny and an unrecognisable Natasha Lyonne.

At the time of Party Monster's quiet release, the film was savaged by critics, bemused to see Macaulay Culkin in his first grown-up role, but this monster is ripe for rediscovery as a queer indie gem that is camp to its core. Directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, who went on to co-create the Drag Race empire, bring ample drag kudos.