MARTYRS (2008)

Written & Directed By: Pascal Laugier
Cinematography By: Stephane Martin, Bruno Phillip & Nathalie Moliavko-Visotsky
Editor: Sebastien Pangere

Cast: Morjana Alaoui, Mylene Jampanoi, Catherine Bergin, Xavier Dolan
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, without hope, 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.

This film is great for the first two acts. It keeps you guessing. The visuals are vivid, terrifying and gory. They have you on the edge of your seat. Never quite sure what is going to happen next, but it will be bloody, but then in the last act everything is explained and it not only goes downhill. It sucks all then energy you had going for the film. Like a balloon it deflates

When they are torturing a certain character. It seems like the others are beating her more than torturing. Especially compared to what the previous victims went through, but then they more than make up for the lack of torture with her final experiment.

I was prepared for the film. Due to the directors introduction on the DVD apologizing for making the film. As it is a creation of his imagination. Yet knows how damaging and disturbing it is. it’s not bad but I can see why it is very graphic with gore in a more disturbing realistic way. In the beginning it throws you off with some minor manipulation. Then it goes haywire each time you think you know what is going on and try to make some of it all of a sudden something new is introduced and shatters what you thought before.

I’m not trying to spoil the film. I am explaining it’s not torture porn. It actually excites with it’s early scenes and shows a mastery of mood of psychology and what is being shown. While still having a secret behind it all.

If they ever had to remake HELLRAISER.I would definitely recommend the director of this film as the director. While this film is similar it has it’s own identity I look forward to future films by him.

GRADE: B