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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

[9.50/10] Martyrs (2008)


Martyrs (2008)

"Martyrs" is probably the most extreme French movie ever, and cannot be compared with any other film I have seen before. The first half or so is prime horror rib eye - sound design, timing, blood, and a certain amount of ambiguity keep the adrenaline pumping and the brain wiggling to figure out what's coming next. The second half is somewhat different, but that's already saying too much. "Martyrs" goes far deeper than most horror movies, and not just in terms of its violence and gore. It gives far greater consideration to the traumatic psychological impact of violence, while also looking at the religious and intellectual implications of suffering. It will have you thinking about the ideas contained in its script for as long, if not longer, than you think about its brutality. The work of Pascal Laugier was not only great on the screen writing field, but also on the directing field, because the cold and at the same time relentless tone of the movie makes everything to feel very realistic. Myléne Jamponoí and Morjana Alaoui bring extraordinary performances, because they are 100% credible and intense on every scene they appear. "Martyrs" is one of the sickest and most disturbing movies I have seen, but its numbing violence is not used only to shock, but also to provide a fascinating insight into the people's voyeuristic nature. Moreover, it tries to explain the tragic events taking place in the film in a painfully rational manner. Beneath the sick, perverted and horrific exterior "Martyrs" is a horror masterpiece.

  • My Rating: 9.50/10
  • Rotten Tomatoes: 50% (5.7/10)
  • IMDb: 7.0/10

6 comments:

Jaccstev said...

Though I'm a big horror fans but the sadistic level in this film is beyond everything I've seen. I must say that this one is deeply deeply disturbing for me. What did I feel by the time the credits had rolled were drained, shocked, vaguely depressed and very sad.

Aylmer said...

Debatably the greatest horror movie of the century so far. Incredible, perfect, transcendent.

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Absolutely! It's right up there with "[Rec]", "The Descent", "The Ring" and "The Others" - the best horror movies of the new millenium so far.

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

The final sequence was so shocking, that my jaw literally dropped! It was arguably the most disturbing, sad and upsetting film I've ever seen, and I refuse to accept something like this could happen in real life/world.

Ricky said...

Sounds excellent. I must check it out.

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

You definitely have to check it out, Ricky! It's shocking and utterly disturbing! Consider yourself warned :)