MARTYRS (2008)

New French Extremity: refers to a stylistically diverse group of films and filmmakers, it has been described as "crossover between sexual decadence, bestial violence and troubling psychosis". The New French Extremity movement has roots in art house and horror cinema.

Heads up folks, this isn't going to be one of those light hearted 80s slashers that ends up being more ridiculous than scary. this movie is more like the type of movie you watch maybe once a year because it makes you feel anxious and unsafe for a few days after watching it. I have had people in the past tell me my mental health might improve if i didn't watch so many horror movies (fuck you all), and movies like this are why. Pascal Laugier (the director) has confessed that he wrote the screenplay for the film in a state of clinical depression bordering on suicidal thoughts, so that's a good sign this movie will be straight up nightmare fuel.

Fifteen years after a horrifying experience of abduction and prolonged torture, Lucie embarks on a bloody quest for revenge against her oppressors. Along with her childhood friend, Anna, who also suffered abuse, she quickly descends into madness and her own delusions. Anna, left on her own begins to re-experience what Lucie did when she was only twelve years old.

plot wise, I'm a huge fan of this movies structure. every-time you get a grasp on what's happening, 3 new mysteries pop up for you to solve. there is never really a main character, and any character can die at anytime which keeps you constantly unsure what's going to happen next. its a movie that shows you just how hopeless and terrifying the characters trauma was/is, and then drops you right into it alongside them. that being said, this movies violence never feels exploitative or unnecessary. the director once said that he was inspired by Hostel, but instead of making a movie about suffering he wanted to make a movie about pain. it safe to say he succeeded in that goal, but for the movie to be as impact full as it is, shit has to get as disturbing as it does. about the only complaint i have about this movie is how long it stays on one character getting abused for what feels like a lifetime. at least when the plot is moving forward there are plenty of distractions, but in this basement hell hole all you get is pure human suffering with no story to it.

the back half loses all of the steam the movie worked so hard to create, but overall this movie is worth watching for hardcore horror nuts with strong stomachs. me however, i like to sleep at night so i may never watch this movie again. no matter how much soft guitar you put over your abuse montage.

I'm going to go watch the Muppet's haunted mansion again, get high as fuck, and try not to think about this joyless hell scape of a movie ever again.

9/10

UPDATE APRIL 10TH, 2022

There are some movies that cant be fully enjoyed on the first watch. the violence can be so intense it distracts from the plot, the plot itself can be to fast paced and nonlinear to fully sink in, and most importantly on the second watch you know what's going to happen. this movie really kicks you in the ass on the first watch with 0 moments of levity, but when you know the pacing you can slow down and soak everything in.

for example, i love how efficiently this movie introduces its characters and premise with its SUPER 8 style opening credits. all you need to know going into this movie is that a young girl was saved from daily torture, placed into a orphanage where she made a best friend, and is still suffering from mysterious cuts and bruises. is she self harming, or is something really attacking her? that rather wordy setup takes less than 5 minutes in the movie, and the director clearly prefers to show instead of tell. the pacing of this whole movie is perfectly fast paced, so much so its becomes a nonstop pain train at various points.

speaking of which, now is as good a time as any to talk about violence like this in movies. I often champion SFX artists for there amazing kills all across the genre, and the main reason i can do so comfortably is the strong feeling of unreality. the EVIL DEAD series is possibly my favorite horror franchise of all time, and as much as i love the effects they are all obviously fake. Whether its a fire engine red blood in Giallo's, Tom Savini's head exploding from the inside out, a supposedly dead characters attempts to hold there breath, and of course straight up bad acting all make it obvious no one was actually hurt/killed. this movie gives you no such luxury.

all of this movies violence, fatal or otherwise, is gut wrenching every time you watch it. a lot of that comes from Mylène Jampanoï as Lucie and Morjana Alaoui as Anna, and the way there acting perfectly captures total agony and hopelessness. both characters are total emotional wrecks for the majority of the movie, and both actresses give incredible performances. another reason it all works so well is the way this movie shows its violence. From start to finish, the effects in this movie look and feel real. a lot of this is accomplished by having a lot of the gore happen off screen, and unfortunately for you your brain is far better at filling in those gaps than the best director in the world.

Pascal Laugier has stated he was inspired by Hostel but instead of making a movie about suffering, he wanted to make a movie about pain. and he succeeded

could you imagine what there is after death?

Keep doubting

100000000000000000/10