Room 37: The Mysterious Death of Johnny Thunders (2019) User Reviews

See how does die a rock star in real!

[saptesh786 · 4/10 · 7 August 2019]

At end of movie only, I knew that the movie was based on real character, Johny Thunder, a rock star. Before this I didn't know about it. On the contrary I though that the movie would be based on horror of room 37. But it is different. However movie is slower than it deserve as a biopic. While watching the movie you can feel continuously that the movie is very slow. Thus slowness makes you lose interest. Moreover it is not portrayed in the aspect of entertainment. It is pure art movie. Some suspense is created here but none of surprised you nor that has any link or clue or any disclose behind it. Acting by main character is in a awful way. In some angle is justified as Johny taking drugs but other angle it should have a better way to express aloneness and pain. However it is just okay. Maid in the hotel is so attractive (mostly they are not in hotels). Story is also so confusing some stages.. There is no clue who steals the money. Most significant thing of the movie is its length. It may have been shorten at least 20 minutes. Overall the movie is not much recommended. If you have a lot of time to kill and also have a good patience to watch a little story so long then you may take risk otherwise avoid it.

wish there was 0 stars

[ladygodivabluess · 1/10 · 17 July 2019]

NEVER trust anyone who has good things to say about this movie! Maybe someone who is completely oblivious to rock n roll, has never heard of Johnny Thunders, and has no idea what this movie was supposed to be about. The "based on a true story" line is COMPLETE, 110% utter bulls**t. The only accurate thing about this movie is that it's based in New Orleans, still completely ignoring the fact that he was only there 24 hours before he died. Not near long enough for all the low budget horror movie scenes this was filled with. I can just imagine poor Johnny's disgrace as he looks down on us watching this, making a joke of his name. Portraying him as nothing but a sad junkie, discrediting everything he contributed to music and the creation of punk rock. I just pray no one believes this as true. Makes me very sad for his memory, and i really wish there was a 0, or even negative, star review. If you're looking for a GOOD, true movie about Johnny's life and demise, go watch Born To Lose. Leave this in the toilet.

Thunder's rolling in his grave in embarrassment

[EAA123 · 1/10 · 22 May 2019]

There was a opportunity to make a good movie about a rock and roll/punk legend, but instead they made a low rent version of the Shining. At least the actor playing Thunders didn't scream out "Here's Johnny, so he gets the one star!!"

Oy oy oy oy oy oy

[jake_fantom · 1/10 · 21 May 2019]

Quite possibly the worst acting you will ever witness. Of course, that's offset by the $200 budget for cinematography. I don't really know who this guy was, but whoever he was, and however crappy his life may have been, he deserves better than this as an epitaph.

Hell Yeah!

[bad-card · 25 May 2019]

This movie is amazing! I am a true Johnny Thunders fan and I think the lead actor did an amazing job portraying him and the storyline was excellent. Everything in this movie was great, the directing, acting, costumes, lighting... It's not meant to be a documentary, it's a thriller! I was truly enthralled and the ending pulled at my heart strings. If a movie can make me cry, I give it an A+. RIP Johnny

So Bad Your Hair Will Turn Grey

[arfdawg-1 · 1/10 · 23 May 2019]

I thought this was going to be a documentary.

Turns out it's a movie with actors all trying to cash in on Johnny Thunders' death.

It's truly the worst movie I have ever seen. Makes Ed Wood look like Copolla.

Do not support this garbage.

I'm sorry but LSD doesn't work like this

[salviolog · 6/10 · 12 July 2019]

The movie is a nice mystery but that plot point just doesn't sit well. If Johnny was dosed with LSD in this gargantuan amount he'd seen much more than just a guy in a cow skull suit. If you suspend your disbelief at that one point, the movie might work, but otherwise it's just pure fantasy.

A Real Trip

[dvaldezjr-85373 · 9/10 · 25 May 2019]

I'd been anxiously awaiting the release of this flick ever since I first saw the trailer, which honestly blew me away. Leo Ramsey plays Johnny Thunders with haunting accuracy. The voice, the way he talks, his movements, the guy nails it. He IS Johnny. The movie looked like a straight up horror film in the trailer, however, what this movie really is, is a mystery. A mystery that slowly reveals itself to you, piece by piece, as Johnny Thunders tries to figure out who robbed him and get a fix of Methadone. You feel so bad for him. Leo Ramsey does a brilliant job of portraying someone in the worst of heroin withdrawals. His stiff movements, his complete lack of energy and strength. It's all there and only makes you feel more for him. Poor guy just wanted to make the wrong things right and be with his kids again. Is this a perfect movie? Absolutely not. Does it have things that could've been done better? Definitely. However overall, this is a very unique, entertaining, and thrilling movie. Besides a couple of short films, this is The Cordero Brothers first feature film that they've directed and I believe it to be a really strong debut for them. They've taken one of Rock'n'Roll's biggest mysteries and turned it into a really solid mystery. Did all of the stuff in the movie necessarily REALLY happen in Johnny's final hours? No. The truth is, no one knows what happened to Johnny. But this movie is a very entertaining proposition of what COULD have happened. And the end result is haunting, tragic, and creepy. From the sick greenish tinted lighting that seems to follow Johnny all throughout the movie, to Leo Ramsey's masterful performance, The Cordero Brothers frenetic & captivating directing, and the haunting soundtrack by Rusted Robot, it all comes together to make something really special. A truly twisted and sad vacation. Ignore the haters in this comment section and see this flick for yourself.

THE LIFE AND TIMES

[kirbylee70-599-526179 · 7/10 · 25 June 2019]

If you grew up in the 70s then you were there to witness the beginnings of the punk rock movement. On the edge of that was a group known as the New York Dolls. Fronted by David Johansen with Johnny Thunder on lead guitar the group was known as rockers but that edge was always there in sight. Arguments between Johansen and Thunders led to the breakup of the group. Johansen went on to perform as Buster Poindexter and Thunders went out on his own with his band the Heartbreakers before attempting a solo career.

ROOM 37 revolves around the last few days of Thunders life. Recovering from addiction to heroin he's retreated to a room in St. Peter's Guest House Hotel in New Orleans in an attempt to clean up his life. With a case full of money, a supply of methadone and his guitar he either sits in the room or wanders the streets soaking up the music.

One night he runs into an old friend and they discuss what's gone on in his life. Separated from his wife Thunders wants to clean himself up so he can see his daughter again. The friend convinces him to take stage for one song but in the middle Thunders has an attack and falls from the stage. Returning to his room he's attacked and wakes to find his money and his methadone gone.

From here he launches into an attack of the hotel owner who tells him the place is not responsible for the security of items left in the room. With little help from them he heads out to attempt to track down his missing meds and money. This leads him on a journey into darkness and one filled with violent characters who could care less about his celebrity status.

The end result is known to fans. The death of Thunders in this hotel has been fueled with rumors and stories for years now. What exactly happened in unsure. Some say he died of an overdose while others claim he was a victim of foul play. No one knows for sure. This film attempts to present its own version of what went down.

The movie is an interesting film that keeps you watching from start to finish. Well-made and directed the main focus of the film is Thunders as portrayed by Leo Ramsey. If that performance failed nothing would make it worthwhile. But Ramsey brings the man to life from his moods to appearance to style of walking to dealing with the demons that led to his death. That's an accomplishment in itself and helps the film.

Fans of music and rock in particular will want to give this one a watch. It might make you break out those old New York Dolls LPs and give them a listen once again. In any event it will have you wondering what really took place in New Orleans in Room 37. Who really knows for sure?

its definately not a musical

[ops-52535 · 6/10 · 22 May 2019]

By all means,, its more like a straight story about an artist that tries to become straight again after years of havocing and surfing the wave of fame in rock and roll, with alcohol in one hand and drugs in the other, and a suffers a bend so extrem that it almost makes him bend over, for god and everyone for a dose of methadon, to ease the pain. but everyone doesnt care and the ultimate chaos in the end, due to endless sessions of paranoia and hallusinations seems to give the main cgharacter a one way ticket to hell.

the acting are not good, its feasable at times, but in the art of acting panick, the actor comes short, and the look in his eye to the director screams '' CAN WE STOP NOW FOR GODS SAKE''.

the tech impression bears all signs of low budget, and pennyturning, it has its moments,, but its merely a reprise of good old twists and turns.

but by all means , i give it a 6, for the fancy looking main character, that reminded me, the grumpy old man, of the swedish actor rickard wollf in the aenglagård triology

A Punk Rock Thriller You'll Never Forget

[kevinjmosteller · 10/10 · 15 January 2021]

This movie rules. If you're going to make a movie about Johnny Thunders, this is the way to do it. I'm not sure who had the idea to turn the mysterious unknown circumstances surrounding the final hours of the punk rock legend's life into a full on, balls out, Jacob's Ladder-esque thriller, but they deserve an award. The movie starts with Johnny landing in a new town, fish out of water in New Orleans, finally clean after years of heroin addiction, ready to turn his life, and career around. Things flip upside down on Johnny real quick when he's recognized at a bar. Johnny starts seeing things... things normal folks don't see. He quickly becomes a paranoid wreck. Is everyone out to get him? Has he truly reached the end of his line, and is seeing something from the other side coming for him? Or is it all in his head? The film turns into an edge of your seat horror movie pretty quickly, and ends on a heartbreakingly tragic note. It's an incredibly well made, creepy as hell thrill ride. Leo Ramsey nails his performance as Johnny. It was like watching the real Johnny Thunders navigate a nightmare. The film really does this wonderful thing of taking this messed up rock star and drops him in the middle of a horror movie. I can't think of any other movie like it. Not what I was expecting at all, and loved every second of it. Fans of punk rock, and Johnny's music will love this flick.

Love & Miss You Johnny!!

[rickytrux · 9/10 · 4 June 2019]

Finally got to see this movie last night after years of hearing about it... & after all the negative comments i've been seeing all week....i gotta say it's actually REALLY GOOD!! Been a huge Thunders fan for 35+ years, and have been waiting for someone to at least attempt to tell the story of his tragic last days....and since almost nobody really knows what did happen outside of the scumbags that did him in, i think these guys did a pretty damn good job of putting together what was probably real close to the actual events that happened. We already know he was dosed & murdered....no thanks to the N.O.P.D., and i'm sure for Johnny it was very much like being trapped in an f'n horror movie.....which is what this film is really. I think that Leo did a great job with the nuances & phrasing, and he even managed to look like Johnny for most of the film....but a few of the characters i could've lived without i suppose. I know there are some die hard fans that are violently opposed to this movie for some cliche reasons i'm sure, but really if you're an old time Dolls/Thunders fan you should bypass all that & see it for yourself.....a very well made & scary look into what can, & usually will, go wrong in the dark world of drugs & the people that you have to deal with if you want to go down that road....i just wish Johnny would've stayed the hell out of that downbeat town is all. Now i hope somebody will make another film about everything else that happened FOR him.....all the beautiful moments that made him the great person that he really was.....God Bless You Mr. Genzale!! XO

Captivating, one hell of a ride that will tug at your heart.

[lilithbathoryluna · 10/10 · 30 May 2019]

Absolutely captivating. As the movie progresses it takes you through an intense trip that you cannot look away from as your heart is right there with him through it all. Very talented and actor that pulls you right in as you feel for Thunder's every moment. Filled with a darkly eerie vibe, visuals, and soundtrack. The whole cast and crew did a wonderful job. Personally, I was glued the whole time, tugged at my heart, and I would watch it again.

Watching again

[ann-37533 · 10/10 · 10 October 2021]

This movie was not what I expected but I loved it. I would say we got a insight into Johnny Thunders mind through this movie, I will be watching it again as I know I will see more in it each time I watch it I noticed on a few reviews that people just really didn't get the movie. It's as described the last few days of Johnny's life, don't go into this thinking it is a musical.

Artistic and Intriguing!

[alisadaglio · 10/10 · 8 June 2019]

This gem of a film is a brilliantly acted artistic interpretation of the final hours of legendary rock star Johnny Thunders. The DP did an outstanding job making this arthouse flick look stylish, ominous, and expensive. Drug addiction can be explored in many ways. I personally thought that this film achieved an accurate and intriguing view down into that insane chasm of madness. Room 37 is one directorial viewpoint expressed by two talented brothers. It offers a cinematic suggestion that no one really knows the answer to in real life. All great films have a strong voice and although fans may wish for something different, that does not change the fact that this outcome is one of the possibilities. Making unpopular choices and embracing your own vision is a sign of bravery. I think this flick is on its way to becoming a cult classic.

A heartbreaking end to a life

[simonlea-48377 · 9/10 · 8 June 2020]

This harrowing portrail of the effects of drugs is captivating. Prior knowledge of Johnny Thunders is not necessary as this film is a great piece of work in it's own right.

Rewatching 'Trainspotting' twenty years after its release that film is a comical (which was intentional) and trivialising portrail of addiction and withdrawals. 'Room 37' goes much further with its unrelenting tone, narrative and character, to the point where the image on Johnny suffering will stay with you.

My knowledge of Johnny Thunders doesnt go much further than a few New York Dolls CDs bought at Uni and nothing about the facts of his death. I can assume that (along with most biopics) the dedicated fans may find fault, but, just watching the film as a piece of art in it's own right it holds it's own alongside 'Walk The Line' and 'Ray' in building your interest for the character your are presented with.

Yes this is a low budget film, but it only shows once in a while. But for the filmmakers to do so much with the budget they had they should be applauded. Thriller and horror genre tropes are used to expand the decent into madness. Narrative leaps (which a studio film would water down) draw you in. Plus, a brilliant central performance and extremely good supporting cast in the hotel manager and maid characters.

This film can be found for free online at Tubi and is worth your time if you love films with great character, innovative storytelling and an uncompromising portrayal.

Creative and well-acted, if a bit too long.

[tobydammit-2 · 9/10 · 24 July 2022]

This independent film did for the late rock star Johnny Thunders of The New York Dolls what the major studio film Hollywoodland (2006) did for actor George Reeves. While not as nationally known as the actor who played Superman on TV, Johnny Thunders was also a tragic cultural icon who was loved, admired and pitied by many (particularly those who grew up in the 1970's and 80's punk rock scene) and died under VERY mysterious circumstances that will never be understood with certainty. That means filmmakers can use the few facts that are known as an outline and fill in the rest with the best creative fiction they can muster. In the case of Johnny Thunders, who struggled with heroin addiction and was moving to NOLA to get away from it, the filmmakers appropriately depicted his downfall as a bad drug trip. It is widely believed that Thunders was deliberately dosed with LSD and murdered by locals in NOLA who wanted to steal his money and large methadone supply, and that is what the film essentially shows. The late Sylvain Sylvain, Johnny's former bandmate, lent his actual voice to recreate a realistic phone call with Johnny. I saw Johnny Thunders perform numerous times and even spoke with him face-to-face off-stage and I can vouch that Leo Ramsey's performance was incredible. He obviously studied films of Johnny Thunders and got the voice and mannerisms right without descending into New York caricature. Took away one star for being too long and having some repetitive nightmare sequences.