Viewed – 26 May 2009  DVD

Oh my god.  I have seen some f**** up stuff in my time, and have a pretty high tolerance for violent movies, but something about this latest French export got under my skin.  This hard hitting horror movie takes its lead from torture porn extravaganzas such as Hostel and Saw then cranks it up to eleven, whilst hammering home a disturbingly believable premise that, I’m not ashamed to admit, made me feel guilty for watching.

Lucie is a damaged, disturbed young woman who when she was a child was kidnapped and physically abused, only to escape in the film’s opening minutes as we witness her run, battered, bruised and crying, semi-naked down a dusty road.  Soon the film cuts to fifteen years later and Lucie turns up on the doorstep of a seemingly innocent family, sporting a double-barrel shotgun, and proceeds to exact her revenge in a bloody, unrelenting killing spree.  Then the movie gets really nasty.  This is certainly not an experience (and it is an experience) for anyone easily shocked, as there are scenes here of physical violence, drawn out and unflinching, mixed with horrific hallucinations, all leading to an ending that once seen, will surely lay imprinted on your subconscious for days.  I kid you not.

Pascal Laugier’s film is obviously an experiment in endurance, but also has a powerful, real world message of the evil that lurks among the seemingly innocent.  This kind of stuff happens, we as a species are capable of horrendous acts of cruelty and violence, and this showcases exactly how far someone might take such extremes.  I’m going to recommend this though, as even though as a piece of entertainment its not really suitable for anyone – but as an example of just how far movies can go to shock and disturb – this one is there … with a bullet.

A special mention must go to the fascinating 85 minute documentary included on this UK Optimum release, that although sheds no light on the reasoning behind the films disturbing themes, gives a detailed look into the film-making process with a wealth of rehearsal and make-up effects footage that created for me an increased admiration for the film makers and their obvious talents.

Verdict:  4 /5