Martyrs poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Morjana Alaoui, Mylène Jampanoï, Catherine Bégin, Robert Toupin, Patricia Tulasne ... see more see more... , Juliette Gosselin , Xavier Dolan , Isabelle Chasse , Emilie Miskdjian , Mike Chute , Gaelle Cohen , Anie Pascale , Jessie Pham , Erika Scott , Louise Boisvert , Jean-Marie Moncelet , Tony Robinow

The Brotherhood of the Wolf director Pascal Lauguier follows his 2004 thriller House of Voices with this relentlessly brutal tale of a girl who suffered unimaginable abuse as a young child, and the un... read more read more...speakable horrors that unfold when she arrives at an isolated cabin in the woods fifteen years later. The story begins as the young, badly battered Lucie (Mylène Jampanoï) -- obviously the victim of inhuman abuse -- is hospitalized after somehow managing to escape her sadistic captors. Nearly catatonic after her life-altering ordeal, Lucie only manages to become functional again as a result of her friendship with Anna (Morjana Alaoui), a fellow abuse victim who selflessly reaches out to the badly damaged girl. Fifteen years later, Lucie guns down an entire family in cold blood. Is Lucie seeking belated vengeance against the people who tortured her as a young girl, or has her fragile psyche finally snapped, resulting in the bloody demise of an innocent family? Later, when Lucie calls on her old friend Anna, the truth about Lucie's traumatic early life experience slowly comes into focus. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

70% liked it

9,395 ratings

Critics

52% liked it

27 critics

R, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: Pascal Laugier

Release Date: May 1, 2008

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: March 24, 2009

Stats: 2,027 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Martyrs Martyrs Martyrs Martyrs Martyrs Martyrs Martyrs Martyrs Martyrs Martyrs
Upload a Photo | View All Martyrs Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (2,027)

  • theunknownhobo
    September 22, 2011
    theunknownhobo
    One of the best pieces of unimaginable cinema I have ever seen. Those who would subject this film to the indignity of bearing the title "torture porn" clearly have little or no conception of how amazing the structural integrity of this film actually was. Intelligent, gruesome, ou... read moretstandingly original and shockingly real, Martyrs instills a little hope in any die hard horror fan, that the art of fear and perfection is still prevelant in the movie making business. Superb acting, beautiful dialogues and haunting imagery, this film will remain with me for the rest of my life, as one of the best at what it does. More than just screams and gore, this movie is as far away from "torture porn" as one could imagine and left me with nothing but admiration for the entire cast and crew, as well as a keen eye for Laugier in the future. One thing I would suggest is watching it with subtitles, as the film is in french. I watched the dubbed version, which completely distracted the brutal atmosphere. Still, a very close to perfect film for those who like their horror intelligent and deviantly delicious.
  • harrycaul
    June 17, 2011
    harrycaul
    I'm sorry, I just didn't get this at all. It didn't really work on any level for me. Any hopes of the film being a Gallic feminist Oldboy vanish after quarter of an hour or so; taken as a horror movie, it's certainly disturbing but never particularly frightening; and it do... read moreesn't have anything profound to say, either about those people who commit unspeakable acts of cruelty or about the poor buggers on the receiving end. If you compare this with another equally gruelling film about martyrdom, Lars von Trier's Breaking the Waves, at least von Trier rewards our squirming discomfort with an extraordinary, miraculous payoff. By contrast, Pascal Laugier's use of a dying woman's epiphany as a MacGuffin is not only tasteless, cynical and intensely irritating, worst of all it's an intellectual cop-out. I can't deny the movie is extremely well made and the performances of the two female leads are superb but I would still only recommend this to connoisseurs of artsy torture porn.
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    May 3, 2011
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    "Martyrs" is a film that defies description. It's not just a horror film and is definitely not the grotesque torture porn that many have suggested. It is a very thoughtful film and a very emotionally draining one.

    The film is best viewed without any prior knowledge of it's plot... read more because it leads it's viewers down a very unexpected, shocking, and ever-changing narrative. In the tradition of not giving too much away, I will simply say that I haven't ever seen anything like this. I've never seen a film handle such brutality in such a cerebral and almost graceful fashion. It's a vicious human horror film that actually has something to say and handles it's subject matter with an unparalleled sense of professionalism (on a side note the make-up effects are astounding).

    It pains me to be so abstract about "Martyrs" but the less you know about it is definitely the better. It's truly an experience, albeit one some viewers will despise. I don't think I've been very clear up to this point but I really loved this film. This isn't necessarily the type of film I'd "love" on the regular, but it really is a brilliant piece of work that is far beyond most films passing off as horror these days. It was involving, maddening, heartbreaking, and ended on a PERFECT note (yes, I'd call it a "happy" ending considering the situation).

    I'd expand on my admiration of this film further, but I'd end up spoiling too much. I'm giving this my strongest recommendation knowing full well that most will call me crazy for doing so... But the important thing is you see this challenging and audacious work.

    * Honestly, If I was to compile a list of my 25 favorite horror films of all time, this would be up there.
  • matertenebraum
    February 22, 2011
    matertenebraum
    i was lucky enough to see this masterpiece at Frightfest this year.

    Pascale Laugier's worried about this movie. He was apologising to people who despised it, he was profusely thanking the people who liked it. He is the modern day equivalent of Victor Frankenstein. He knows that ... read morehe has created a monster and doesn't really know how to deal with it now that it's being released upon the world.

    Martyrs truly is a monster. It's a ground breaking, brave, stunning, brutal & moving piece of work that is guaranteed to divide audiences everywhere it gets the chance to play. Even at a genre event like Frightfest the audience reaction ranged from 'loved it' to 'hated it' to people actually going outside of the cinema to be physically sick (really). For me it was the highlight of the festival and i absolutely loved it but I don't believe it's a movie that anybody will truly 'enjoy'.

    As others have already given away too much of the story i won't bother with a synopsis as Martyr's is definitely a dish best served cold. Not knowing what to expect makes this a refreshingly shocking piece of celluloid that will hopefully astound you with it's gutsy originality. Written by the director during a fit of depression (that he did not elaborate on in the Q&A) it is an almost schizophrenic movie with two distinct halves and coda of such ambiguity that it is possible to view it as nihilistic or strangely hopeful. It's beautifully shot, really well paced and contains outstanding performances from the two female leads.

    This movie is inevitably going to be compared to Hostel and other movies in the horribly monickered 'torture-porn' genre and that is a genuine mistake. Martyrs bears more resemblance to movies like Nacho Cerda's Aftermath as there is nothing here that is designed to be titillating. The true horror lies in the the clinical detachment of the antagonists. In the end, despite all the on screen violence (and there are some truly brutal scenes on display here in the movies second act) the prevaling reaction that this movie elicited in me was not one of revulsion but one of true sadness. Martyrs really is a truly brilliant, surprisingly moving film and one that will remain in my mind, jostling for attention with my other thoughts for a very long time to come. Thankyou Pascale Laugier for creating a monster that i love...
  • gor41
    February 13, 2011
    gor41
    Refreshingly original horror experiment which unsettles and shocks at every turn even if it drifts into incomprehensibility towards the end. The director sets out to wrong foot you at every opportunity and confound your expectations which I applaud. It pulls no punches but worth ... read morea look for horror fans bored of identikit torture porn.
  • 76Majikat
    January 27, 2011
    76Majikat
    Well this certainly is an original piece and opens as quite a blood bath of a Horror. Well acted and not knowing quite which direction it is going to take you in, this disturbing film (definitely not for everyone) is possibly one of the sickest films that I have seen. Perhaps b... read moreecause it has a fairly realistic feel to it and the thought of this happening in real life in incomprehendable.

    It's not gonna play on your mind, it's not gonna make you jump, but it's compelling viewing and not what you're expecting.
  • FilmFanatik
    January 18, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    This film tries hard to make its point. The trouble is what is that point? The first half of the movie plays like the final half hour of a revenge film, then the rest plays out like Hostel meets religion. In the violence and gore department, this one ranks pretty highly in fil... read morems of recent years. There is nothing particularly enjoyable about the it at all. It winds up being pretentious as hell with little to no audience involvement at all. Nor is it an art film, or for that matter a film designed to be thought-provoking and bring real human issues to the forefront. It really tries hard to be the latter (I think) but it only blows its own brains out without getting there - making it a wasted effort. If you're curious to see gratuitous violence and gore with no themes or audience participation, then by all means see Martyrs. Otherwise, steer clear.
  • FrizzDrop
    October 28, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    There was a lot of disturbing and scarring violence. That being said, this is one of the best examples of a film that balances between expanding one's mind, and destroying it completely. It's Japanese horror film mixed with French avant-garde. The terror is muscle seizing, but it... read more's not exactly about what is occuring during the film, but what might happen, and without any of the horrific violence the film wouldn't be the mind trip that it is. Besides the fact that I watched some parts between trembling fingers, it's an epitome of life, and the lengths to which people will go to achieve some form of true understanding. I have only the highest praise, and most scared of feelings for this film.
  • arashxak
    September 28, 2010
    arashxak
    Dumb & pretentious like other films of this new wave of french horror
  • gokhale1
    September 1, 2010
    gokhale1
    I began watching director Pascal Laugier's "Martyrs" with much anticipation after what I'd read about it so far. Lots was said about how this film belonged to a "new era" of French horror films. The film began on an extremely promising note with a scene of a physically abused and... read more tortured little girl escaping to freedom. The next few minutes that followed sort of spoke about the dark shape of things to come. I continued watching, spellbound as the movie unfolded. I watched in shock and amazement as the blood spilled, the flesh ripped, bodies piled up, and surprises were delivered at breakneck speed. Add to that a claustrophobic atmosphere and some brilliant acting from the two lead performers Mylène Jampanoï and Morjana Alaoui. Nothing much is said or explained during this time...and there is almost no explanation or meaning to the bizarre, gory drama that unfolds. This, IMHO was an added advantage that made this one hell of a movie-watching experience.

    The run-time ticked to about 58 minutes and then something happened....

    The proceedings were turned over their head and a full-fledged explanation was finally given about the why, what, how, etc.! ..And I must confess that I was extremely disappointed and dissatisfied with this sudden change of events. It all seemed so lame and absurd to me that I almost thought that this wasn't really it! There'd got to be more!

    The entire last half hour then endlessly rambled on..and believe it or not, I was still waiting for a satisfying, convincing finish to the film..hoping for more. I wasn't particularly expecting a happy ending or all-neatly-wrapped-up-package...but at least something that wouldn't be entirely futile! But I never experienced that satisfaction as the ending credits rolled!

    The whole thing turned out to be just a pointless exercise in gore; "torture porn" if you must, with an absolutely weak central plot! A huge let-down!

    I am not averse to watching excessive gore on screen. I have enjoyed other movies in the genre earlier, but most of them had plots with lots of "meat" to go along with all the bloodbath.

    Watch "Martyrs" for a well-directed, brilliant first hour and for the terrific performances of the two lead performers. But do not expect an equally great story, and perhaps you won't be as disappointed.

    Rating: 4/10

View All Martyrs Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jordan Mintzer
September 10, 2008
Jordan Mintzer, Variety

Film should score OK with hardcore gore fans, but others will expect martyrdom for sticking it out until the end. Full Review

David N. Butterworth
April 13, 2011
David N. Butterworth, rec.arts.movies.reviews

Brutally well-conceived... for about 40 minutes, and then Martyrs flips on its own bloody axis and falls apart, existentially. Full Review

Mike Edwards
March 13, 2011
Mike Edwards, What Culture

Some call it torture porn, others might call it aggressive moralising, more still have say it's boring and pointless. In my view this level of dissent marks it as worthwhile. Full Review

Anton Bitel
December 1, 2010
Anton Bitel, Little White Lies

it turns out to be concerned precisely with the nature and reception of extremity, posing uncomfortable questions about what it is that one really seeks in choosing to 'witness' scenes of horrific hum... Full Review

Jeremy Heilman
July 31, 2009
Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com

Perhaps more than any other horror film, Martyrs demonstrates the range of the genre's capabilities to find ways to excite, provoke, and disturb us. Full Review

Keith Breese
April 29, 2009
Keith Breese, Filmcritic.com

ultimately a very off-putting one-trick pony Full Review

Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton
April 27, 2009
Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton, Dread Central

Martyrs is an absolute recommend, but only to those who are willing to accept the film on its own uncompromising terms. All others are advised to stay well clear away. Full Review

Christian Toto
April 22, 2009
Christian Toto, What Would Toto Watch?

Martyrs marks new ground in the horror genre - just don't take that as a sign it's worth your time. Full Review

Peter Whittle
March 31, 2009
Peter Whittle, Times [UK]

The air of pretentiousness and the whiff of lesbian chic suggest that the bunch of nihilists who produced this garbage will claim something for it. All it really demonstrates is that there is somethin... Full Review

Philip French
March 31, 2009
Philip French, Observer [UK]

A sadistic, religiose French horror movie. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

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

  • Irreversible
    Irreversible (97%)
  • Lik Wong (Riki-Oh - The Story of Ricky)
    Lik Wong (Riki-Oh - The Story of Ricky) (50%)
  • Funny Games
    Funny Games (75%)
  • Beyond Re-Animator
    Beyond Re-Animator (0%)

More Movies like Martyrs

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Lucie: How could you do that to me? Why?!
    • Mademoiselle: Can you imagine what happens to us after death? Be doubtful. [shoots herself into the mouth]
  • Did you notice the dedication at the end of MARTYRS to the legendary Italian horror maestro, Dario Argento?
    I am unsure if Mr Argento would actually appreciate this dedication (certainly
    not as more than a token gesture from a fan).
    His films are ... read morethe a loving depiction of a world that is the very antithesis of the bleak, hopeless world brought to us in MARTYRS.
Submit a Fact | View All

Martyrs : Watch Free on TV

Martyrs Trivia

  • What two countries collaborated on the horror film Martyrs (2008)?  Answer »
  • What scream queen from the 2008 film Martyrs briefly appears in the new Matt Damon film Hereafter?  Answer »
More Martyrs Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Martyrs. Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Martyrs Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Martyrs to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?