High Tension (Switchblade Romance) (2003)

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  May 18, 2012

  Callahan441

  'Switchblade Romance' is a violent, cruel horror film that adopts the conventions from slasher films such as 'Halloween' and adds a psychological twist. Without giving anything away, I would say the twist can only be interpreted and explained in somewhat woolly terms, but one mus... read moret remember they're viewing a film that is merely exploitation cinema.
  
  I felt the film, though predominantly clichà (C)d, did manage to avoid becoming tired, its suspense was taut and relatively unpredictable. However, it only just managed it, it was a close call, those familiar with the slasher films of the 70s and 80s may feel 'Switchblade Romance' is just a bundle of rehashed themes. The film departs from its slasher relatives in respect to cruelty and realism; it has a gritty, unpleasant tone that is similar to 'Wolf Creek', the grisly Australian affair that appeared in 2005. Much like 'Wolf Creek', after it had finished I found myself asking 'Why? What's the point?' These overly sadistic, one track films leave me feeling rather hollow; they're a dose of visceral thrills that makes me question their status as 'entertainment'. I questioned why someone would want to make such one-dimensionally cruel films. The only purpose I could think of was how both films place the viewer in the 'What would you do if you were being stalked by a murderer?' situation, which indeed makes them a thoroughly engrossing, if stressful ordeal to watch.
  
  Ultimately, 'Switchblade Romance' is a straight-forward endurance test that provides a decent amount of tension and gore, but its overall vapidity may leave you feeling slightly hollow by the end credits.

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  October 3, 2011

  TheDudeLebowski65

  Over the years, France has turned out quite a few effective, chilling and gory horror films; High Tension directed by Alexandre Aja is such a film. An effective chilling film, High Tension is one disturbing horror film. Brilliantly effective at inducing shock, High Tension is a f... read moreilm that you won't soon forget. High Tension is a much different Slasher film, one that is very well conceived with atmosphere and suspense. The killings of course are very grotesque and violent. High Tension departs significantly the Slasher genre, but retains key elements of the genre. The acting displayed by the actresses is excellent and Cecile De France is definitely memorable as the lead character. High Tension is the perfect name for the film, as the tension level is pretty high. The film is one of the best horror films that I have seen in quite some time, and the French are becoming masters of horror in their own right. Like I said, this film is different from other Slashers, and I do not want to give anything important away because this is such a solid horror film. Gorehounds will love this film as much as the regular horror fan. This film boasts some very impressive kill sequences and though it is extremely violent, the film builds effective tension and suspense with a dreadful atmosphere mixed with great kill scenes, and you have a memorable horror film. High Tension is a terrific, well crafted horror film with excellent directing from Alexandre Aja. Without a doubt, this is one of the most solid foreign horror films in quite some time.

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  July 29, 2010

  LoughnerWasLucid

  one of the many "secret window endings" that i saw after secret window came out. take that away it was a good time-killer

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  July 25, 2010

  lewiskendell

  "I won't let anyone come between us anymore."
  
  High Tension is aptly named. This French exercise in horror gets a tight grip on you early on, and doesn't let go. Fans of slashers and thriller movies will definitely be pleased with those aspects of High Tension. There are several ... read morescenes that are just exquisitely suspenseful, and it's violent and gory in exactly the right ways.
  
  So why not an even higher rating? Two reasons. The first is that the movie isn't nearly as good on subsequent viewings as it was the first time around. This is directly related to the second reason, which is the direction the story takes in the final act.
  
  Some people will be able to roll with it just fine, while others will feel that the plot takes an absolutely ludicrous turn. I couldn't really argue against either point of view. I think the movie might have been even better (and more plausible upon re-watching) if it didn't try to be quite so clever, but I still enjoyed it quite a lot the first time that I saw it.
  
  If you're looking for more horror in the vein of a movie like The Strangers, you owe it to yourself to give High Tension a try. Just be aware that it's a pretty polarizing movie, and there's no telling which side of the fence you may end up on by the finale.

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  April 3, 2010

  CrookedlittleB33

  Simply fantastic, there are not enough movies out here today that follow such suit. Why french horror is probably one of my fave types. Review, TBC.

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  September 24, 2009

  SirPant

  This is a really good horror film with some really intense scenes. Shame about the really stupid ending though but try and forget about that and enjoy the first 3/4!

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  March 14, 2009

  yona71

  Two students don't know what awaits them as they head to a remote country family home to study for upcoming exams. Horror ensues as a psychopathic "stranger" forces their way into the home as night falls.
  This film does indeed have a twist that adds to the ascending tension in a... read more unique tale of terror.

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  February 4, 2009

  FilmFanatik

  Horror films these days are always a gamble when you're looking for something of quality. Most of them are remakes, rehashes of ideas or more akin to psychological thrillers, rather than flat out horrific. Haute Tension sort of falls in the category, in my eyes anyways, as a se... read morerious attempt at filmmakers trying step outside the norm and into something fresh and interesting. As far as the film's look, you couldn't do better. Plenty of atmosphere and dark places in which to crawl visually too. The color palette is gritty and de-saturated, giving it a documentary-type feel. If you're a gore hound like me, this movie delivers. Blood, and lots of it. The film's true strength lies in it's namesake, however. Always moving and always on edge, it keeps you nailed to your seat, awaiting the next turn of events. The acting is nice, however nobody really gives powerhouse award-winning performances, but they get the job done and carry the film well. The film's score, which is not much more than a constant dirge, is effective and refreshing. Where the film fails is really a smattering of different things. First of all, the twist ending, while creative, feels tacked on. It seems as if the only reason it exists is to set itself aside from films like Wolf Creek or even the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake. However, it is a think piece. Once the events of the film are laid out, you can assess what really took place. The film also fails in the editing. The storyline doesn't feel followed through enough and ideas are not brought up enough earlier in the film to justify its conclusion. Intentional or not, I feel the film could have benefited with further set up, rather than jumping straight into the horror. By the end of the film, I was pleased with the experience and it is a good film for horror buffs ONLY to watch because it can be quite intense. The film's flaws don't hold it back from being worthy of its reputation, or even its quality. A very well-made horror film in the age where quantity is more important than quality.

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• 
  
  August 24, 2008

  DerekA101

  This movie is a bloody piece of crap!
  
  First I'm going to justify the 1.5 stars.. the gore. Loads and loads of blood and mayhem. It is well done... very suspenseful and visually stunning.
  
  Ok, lets forget about my morbid satisfaction in gory films.... This is an awful mess of... read more a film. This movie primarily only builds suspense off the music and a semi-effective use of lighting. But it constantly switches between English and then French and then subtitled French, it was very irritating. Choosing one language and sticking with it would've made it seem more organized.
  
  SPOILER ALERT! ... ok, I'm tired of this "twist"... she's the killer??? A damn schizo... AGAIN!!! I've seen this many times already. Where others mildly succeed, this one fails miserably because of huge plot holes. This twist completely betrays and contradicts everything that made up the first 3/4 of the movie. Some events are unexplainable due to this twist... the lack of clarity makes this movie (and its director) look stupid.
  
  Unless you love sick, sadistic and over-the-top gory films, then throw back a few beers and watch this film without caring about what's really going on. You won't be disappointed because just about every scene is filled with gallons of blood.

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  July 3, 2008

  366weirdmovies

  A young student with a butch haircut (no points for guessing what that subtly reveals about her character) travels to a school chum's country home, where a French redneck (or something) starts chopping up the family. Despite some moments of suspense, it's not a thriller as the t... read moreitle suggests. but a slick slasher movie intended for viewers with strong stomachs.

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• Cécile De France as Marie
• Maïwenn Le Besco as Alex
• Philippe Nahon
• Franck Khalfoun
• Andrei Finti
• Oana Pellea
• Marco Claudia Pascu
• Jean-Claude de Goros
• Frank Khalfoun

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

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• • Alex: The problem is, he's got a girlfriend he doesn't want to split up with.
  • Marie: Why are you so interested, then?
  • Alex: Someone who's taken must be worth it. I'm skeptical of single guys.

• Which Horror film features the song "New Born" by Muse?  Answer »
• High Tension- This is the title of the film for American and Australian audiences, but what name does it go by in the UK?  Answer »

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