Martyrs
After months of waiting for the DVD to come out, and several weeks of working up the nerve to actually watch what I was assured would be the Most Disturbing Movie I’ve Ever Seen, I finally made it through Pascal Laugier’s Martyrs last night. Given the amount of hype/controversy this one’s generated, I feel obligated as someone who watches way too many horror movies to throw in my two cents.
The roadblock that I’m encountering is that I can’t think of a single thing to say about it.
Actually, that’s not true. Watching it, many adjectives ran through my brain (among them: “tense,” “absurd,” “dramatic,” “pretentious,” “captivating,” ”pretty,” “gross,” and “dull”), but I can’t assemble them into a cohesive review. I want to say that that’s symptomatic of the film itself not being cohesive–it has one of the most off-the-wall narratives I’ve ever encountered–but I don’t think that’s right. The film is meticulous. I never doubted that Martyrs is exactly what Laugier wanted it to be. I just cannot figure out what the fuck that is. There’s an “Introduction by the Director” feature on the DVD (I watched it after I watched the film, just as a book’s preface is usually the last thing I’ll read) where he expresses his hope that whether you love or hate the film, you’ll at least feel that it was a “cinematic experience,” which I did. So…mission accomplished? I guess?
Did I like it? I have no idea. Probably not. I didn’t hate it either. I’m about 85% sure I’m never going to watch it again, and 65% sure I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone but the most curious. I think the hype surrounding it is unearned, but it’s such a puzzling artifact that I can understand people’s fascination. I imagine that if I was less busy these days, I might develop a bit of a fascination with it myself, but that’s not in the cards.
So I’ll just say this, and then move on with my Netflix queue: It is decidedly not The Most Disturbing Movie I’ve Ever Seen.
what is the most disturbing movie you’ve seen?
Irreversible. It’s also one of the most spectacular movies I’ve ever seen, neither in spite nor because of how rough it is to watch.
Not sure what I mean by that.
You?
I have heard that Irreversible is brutal. I don’t know when I will get a chance to see that.
I often think back in a sort of fond way to my first viewing of Event Horizon. It affected me more than I expected it to. And whenever I watch this clip from Tim and Eric, I imagine that Tim is stuck in Sam Neill’s Hell Paradise:
damn. Tim’s New Trick
I would have to say right now Martyrs is my favorite movie.
following it would be Inside, Frontiers and High Tension very good selection.
I don’t believe the movie was overrated one bit. To watch this movie and like it makes you one of the more hardcore horror fans. Pascal Laugier is now a director that i’m following.
There has been rumor about him being involved in the new Hell Raiser remake.
Posted By TormentedFilms.com
What about it makes it your favorite movie?
well the movie really pushed the torture scenes to a whole new level and actually shows it all. So many horror movies made in the US cut out the actual torture or killing scenes and that’s what i usually pay to see. Example someone about to get killed and the movie screen deems your hear some screaming but no graphics.
what is this a rip off and not a horror movie.
Not only does director Pascal Laugier not hold back the punches but the movie had a original plot the was pretty in depth.
Their will be more coming from this talented director and I will be following him
Posted By TormentedFilms.com