- Broken Base: Received a highly polarized reaction from the critical press. Roger Ebert gave it a very positive review (even naming it one of the best films of 2000), and noted in his review his surprise at finding that numerous of his fellow critics utterly loathed the film.
- Complete Monster: In the sequel, The Cusp, Officer Duncan, kidnaps women and tortures them to death, repeatedly reviving them from the brink of death for more torture. His methods include suffocation, electrocution, and cutting out his victims' hearts. All the while, he records their screams and pleas for mercy. Protagonist Maya Casteneda, the only person to survive his torture, was nearly killed by him six times. He is said to have killed 23 women, and he attempts to kill another woman named Penelope, torturing her to near death seven times. He frames the lead cop, Harris, for his crimes, and when he recaptures Maya, he declares that he will torture her so bad that he completely destroys her mind.
- Evil Is Cool: While in the real world Carl Stargher is an awkward, pathetic pervert, the Demon King, the most evil of his Mental World personas, is a terrifying and muscular devil who rules over a byzantine kingdom of death and torture.
- Just Here for Godzilla: Many people only watch/enjoy the movie for its incredible costume and set design. Its sheer use of visual motifs and surreal imagery make it somewhat of a Cult Classic.
- Narm: When Agent Novak is investigating Carl's murders, he comes to the conclusion that the killer wants to be caught because he's not even trying to hide the corpses anymore (either that, or the killer is becoming arrogant, although Novak himself believes the former). Unfortunately the shooting script is a lot less well-thought-out, because the line Vaughn actually says is "If we don't stop this guy, he's not going to stop himself!'
- Spiritual Adaptation: The disturbing images making up the mind of Carl could be at home in a Marilyn Manson music video.
- Squick: The horse, the dolls, the intestines... take your pick.
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