Martyrs

French horror keeps coming on strong, with director and writer Pascal Laugier being one of the latest, most interesting talents. While the nation’s horror flicks, like “Inside” and “Frontiers(s)”, may impress Splat Pack entrepreneurs, Laugier is more into existentialism than his fellow countrymen. Using his work to comment on society and world politics, while not holding back on extreme bloodletting and explicit scenes, his horror is foremost an emotionally charged piece, with real psychological depth.

In “Martyrs”, a sad and story-driven terror tale, we are forced to take an inhuman journey together with Anna and Lucie. These two young women are trying to take charge over their lives through the act of revenge. Both were subjected to brutal crimes as children and now it’s payback time. It is all here; screams, filth, tank tops, chains and female fury. But this lesson in violence is much more than just part of a genre, or trend. The brutality is necessary, not stylish. “Martyrs” may not please everybody, but that does not make it any less relevant.