Haute tension

French cinema is notorious for many reasons, but not because of any significant level of horror film production. This film proves the exception almost all its own. Stylishly -in that sense it is French -the film tells a horrific story that continues to fascinate right up to the end thanks to many ingenious turns in the plot. The story focuses on the girlfriends Alex and Marie. Marie has invited Alex to her parents' old farm to escape the bustle of Paris. Right at the start, the viewer is wrong footed. Of course terrible things are going to happen in the lonely and ghostly house (the maker knows his examples), but who does it and why, remains well hidden for a long time. It is an intelligent film (yes, in that sense it's French too), but far from pleasing. It is a dishonest and mean horror film that refuses to let go once it has bitten. A comparison has rightly been made with the work of Gaspar Noé: just as unflinchingly bloodthirsty, just such a gratingly steely soundtrack. And Philippe Nahon -the vengeful butcher from Seul contre tous -is there too, even more grim and grimy. The roles of the young ladies (played by coquettish actresses, French again) are strikingly mutinous to the genre. But the rules do not let us say any more about that. (GjZ)