High Tension

    High Tension
    2003

    Synopsis

    Best friends Marie and Alexia decide to spend a quiet weekend at Alexia's parents' secluded farmhouse. But on the night of their arrival, the girls' idyllic getaway turns into an endless night of horror.

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    Cast

    • Cécile de FranceMarie
    • MaïwennAlexia
    • Philippe NahonThe Killer
    • Andrei FintiAlex' Father
    • Oana PelleaAlex' Mother
    • Marco Claudiu PascuTom
    • Franck KhalfounJimmy
    • Jean-Claude de GorosGendarmerie captain
    • Bogdan UritescuGendarme
    • Gabriel SpahiuMan in the car

    Recommendations

    • 75

      ReelViews

      The film revels in blood and gore, but this is not just a run-of-the-mill splatter film. There's a lot of intelligence in both the script and in Alexandre Aja's direction.
    • 60

      Variety

      Deftly juggles gore and suspense, and punchline holds an intellectual frisson or two for fans of gender-role speculation, but basically this is one more horror pic on the distinguished road already trodden by "Texas Chain Saw Massacre," "Maniac" and the like.
    • 60

      Village Voice

      Manages--before faltering under the weight of its own pretensions--to be pretty scary.
    • 60

      L.A. Weekly

      While the acting is fine and the direction accomplished, the real stars of the film are editor Baxter and cinematographer Maxime Alexandre. Forfeiting a gold star is whoever haphazardly dubbed the film, simply giving up about halfway through.
    • 50

      The A.V. Club

      Though staged with technical skill and unflinching brutality, it's an awfully familiar-looking slaughter filled with moments on loan from other movies.
    • 42

      Entertainment Weekly

      The latest reshuffling of "Chainsaw" tropes.
    • 40

      Dallas Observer

      High Tension often feels like a ’70s exploitation movie in the best sense; unfortunately, the ending is so bad that it mars everything that comes before.
    • 40

      The Hollywood Reporter

      That outrageous third-act reveal proves to be a major deal-breaker.

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