Martyrs Movie Review

[KawishMaryam]

U look like Shane Dawson

[Proverbs1533]

Not that I'm a horor film expert and not just to be contrary but I thought the film was poor. It was really a total waste of potential in my honest opinion (and I was really pulling for this film to be good through the first 30 minutes) but I was just left with the whole thing just being so absurd that it left me disappointed. The acting wasn't bad and the effects were alright but it was just the plot that left me finding the film almost comical towards the end. IMO it wasn't impressive at all.

[btbrotherton]

@Proverbs1533 That's disappointing to hear. I've been watching all of these "disturbing" movies like the August Underground series and A Serbian Film and I've been having the same reaction to all of them. They're just so ridiculous it's almost comical. Which makes them not scary or disturbing in the slightest. You have to be gullible and dumb for any of those to disturb you. Personally I found The Poughkeepsie Tapes to be the most disturbing movie I've seen, because it's so realistic.

[Proverbs1533]

@btbrotherton I'm in total agreement with you. I've not heard of the Poughkeepsie Tapes. I'm guessing it's a recommend?

[orichalcossaiyan]

This was once sold in an FYE in a mall near me however I didn't get it instead I got Cannibal Holocaust a film which I may just burn for the fact that real animals die in it . Does anyone know where I can get my hands on this movie and not a crappy version but a really decent one that's uncut? Also does it come with subtitles cause I can't speak french to save my life.

[pdclemens]

To me this film was a profoundly haunting, disturbing, moving and thought-provoking experience which, personally, I would give four out of five stars to. And, when compared specifically to most other genre offerings of recent years, I would actually be tempted to offer five out of five.

[pdclemens]

When I showed this film to my wife she said she was glad that I'd shown it to her because she thought it was a work of art, but said she never wanted to see it again. Now, I myself have seen the film three times because I needed multiple viewings to process the powerful impact it had on me. In fact, I was moved to tears by it each time, which is certainly not the case with most "horror" films -- and most certainly not the case with "torture porn" which 'Martyrs' is, most emphatically, NOT.

[kiastar67]

This was brutal and psychotically and psychologically  disturbing. The pictures they used are REAL and fro history and I could not sleep afterwards. So intense.

[Zooroonies]

"torture porn" LOL!

[redsuncartel]

How is your friend Alan?

[olderloverxx]

I HATE that bloody 'torture porn' label - so wrong. Martyrs is not porn, porn is something you bash off to. Martyrs is one of the most important films ever made. Once watched, never forgotten. It is a hard film to review - very hard. I would say to anyone reading this - watching Martyrs may ruin your enjoyment of horror films forever - it makes you question your sanity - it disturbs. If you view Martyrs as 'pornographic' then you are indeed a sick person......

[AdamR702]

Thank you Chase for reviewing the more disturbing movies.

[Robkinggozer]

@Johnlindsey289: Ive seen all those and yes, they were great (Crazies was ok). It's possible to do it right, yes (i also liked The Hills have eyes fi). Still, I'm usually let down by remakes, especially horror.

[SethHesio]

In my opinion, the best horror film of the past ten years, at least. It's not an enjoyable experience, but it's totally original, and it has that amazing effect that only truly powerful films have, in that it alters how you feel. You feel changed by it, briefly or perhaps for a more prolonged period of time. It's one of the hardest films I've ever had to watch. But very very important. As a film maker, it's made me realise what's possible. Great review btw, but it should have been 4 stars. :)

[slayer82067]

nice review men its cool movie

[Robkinggozer]

I agree with most of what you say, good review. My score would be higher, though. Not so sure if I'd like a Hellraiser remake. There's no point in remaking a classic. Remake a crappy movie that could have been good, instead. Better yet, don't do remakes, do original stuff.

[Johnlindsey289]

@Robkinggozer

What about remaking lesser known movies or movies that weren't terrible well known? what do you think of The Thing and The Fly remakes? better than their originals right? have you seen The Crazies? a good example of remaking a little known movie

[Pbassman74]

The Martyrs is amazing. I love this film. French movies are just really well done.

Ever seen The Butterfly and the Diving Bell? One of my favorites.

[DropXDxgorgeous]

i have watched this film about 3 times now and i thought it couldent get any more sickening and macking you feel on easy then this but then came out the sirbian film and i was in a on easy way for a very long time advise dont fucking watch it

[KillerHamsterVideos]

1:37, whats that+ its like a bubble or something

[CivilianSnowman]

@KillerHamsterVideos Maybe it's a ghost orb or something!

[KillerHamsterVideos]

@CivilianSnowman could be ")

[KillerHamsterVideos]

@CivilianSnowman did u ever notice it?

[pmjaiswal]

just days after coming out on dvd i watch this movie back in april 2008. with no details or reviews on net .and it was the most horrifying and bone chilling experience i ever have. to this day i am still searching a movie that can challenge me like martyrs did but never find one.so for all the horror fans out there please give this movie a chance and it will stay in your mind for weeks. watch this movie with a open mind and you will not be disappointed.the best psychologically horror movie ever

[propjam2]

@pmjaiswal I agree. this film will crawl into your head and burn in images that will be there for years! if your religious this film will most definitely mind rape you! i'm not joking this film made me weak in the knees for twenty minutes after it finished. it makes cloakwork orange look like sesame street. I've told al my friends about it and none of them want to watch it. A truly nasty piece of work and good film but i would never dare watch it again.

[TheMMAFREAK15]

THIS MOVIE WAS PROBABLY THE MOST FUCKED UP MOVIE IVE SEEN IN A WHILE VERY GOOD MOVIE BUT IT MAKES YOU JUST WANT TO CURL UP IN A BALL AND CRY!!!!!BUT I LOVE HORROR MOVIES AND BASICALLY SEEN ALL OF THEM B MOVIES OR NOT A DEFF WATCH!!

[xFlyswatterx]

1:38 to the left of him... GHOST! ._.

[Dresden1065]

Probably one last thing I disagree with was the last part when you said "you feel like you enjoyed this torture as well". Personally speaking I was far removed from any sort of enjoyment. I almost felt like jumping into the movie and giving Lucie Jurin a big hug for all the suffering she endured and it made me think of all the real life Lucie Jurins who are eternally scarred by the hideous abuse they suffered as innocent children.

I'd give this film a perfect 5 stars.

[Dresden1065]

Good review for the most part except the implied bit about Lucie and Anna being lovers. If you recall from the film, Anna tried to get Lucie to sleep in her bed after she cut her arms in the bathtub which Lucie promptly refused. Then as adults in the house, after the massacre, Anna kissed Lucie in the bathroom and Lucie asked her "what are you doing?" while pushing her away.

Anna's sexual status was questionable, but Lucie was certainly not a lesbian.

[SethHesio]

The thing I like about this review is that you honestly seem to be wanting to give this film a higher rating.. but because of the experience you do not want to recommend it to other people. I felt like this. I felt I had a responsibility to warn people about how harrowing the film is, because it's so well done, so powerful that the sheer fight to keep yourself together as you watch the last part of it could be psychologically damaging, I almost had a panic attack watching it. That's me though.

[Peaceandlove787]

I don't think this movie is torture porn at all because you don't enjoy any part of what happens. Films like Hostel or Saw are fun to watch and the torture is the focus. This movie is not fun in any way and is dead serious throughout. I think that in-and-of itself is a huge achievement. Best horror movie of all time in my opinion.

[SethHesio]

@Peaceandlove787 I watched it for the first time yesterday and I don't think I've ever been that moved and affected by a movie before. I mean it was like seeing something truly new and original. Did you find it took you out of your comfort zone? I'm so used to being in control when I watch a film, even with the Exorcist I felt like I was in control of how I felt and always realised fully that it was a film, but with Martyrs the last 20 mins pushed me further than any other film. Simply Brilliant

[NyriaMarbeu]

i saw it i was fine when it finished then like 5 secs later i freaked out i am shaken right now

[SethHesio]

@NyriaMarbeu Did you feel kind of scared for your own sanity? I didn't like and really didn't want to watch the last 20 minutes.

[RachelHaywire]

Where did you get the movie? I only can rent it.

[dogydory]

FUCKING AWESOME MOVIE but i couldnt watch some of it cuz it was too gory

[crazykids123]

what is meant by torture porn???

[whitebluebug]

@crazykids123

Torture is so graphic, it's like sex in porns. therefore= torture porn;)

[mrliampep5i]

@whitebluebug yu not goin to masterbate over it so its not realy porn

[grga888]

Lol, this review is bullshit. You are telling so many positive things about the movie, and in the end you are giving it 3/5, not to mention that you said that you almost gave it 2/5. This review is a joke, nothing seriously to hear and find, not to mention that you are mentioning stuff that are completely useless and not worth mentioning, you seriously didn't made a point in your review by saying what this movie really is, the quality of it and what it presents, and that it has a point, story...

[ilovegibsons1]

i understand what he meens by totrture porn

[IricForset]

Martyrs is the worst film I've ever seen. For it to be implied that to suffer leads to some sort of afterlife or heaven is ridiculous and this film should not be shown to anyone with half a brain or those who dont belief in goat-hearder ideaologies.  I was unfortunate to be tempted. 0.5/5 stars

[Missvirg1n]

This hasn´t left my mind yet, has it left yours and your friends mind? Knock out review civiliansnowman. Ana ---- no, not the Ana in Martyrs =)

[daveschmit]

i got a different take on the film. it is the BEST horror/drama film ever

[gigerbrick]

Great review! I just finished watching the film for the first time. This has to be one of the most disturbing movies I've ever seen.

[MsIsabella28]

i loved this movie,It scared the shit out of me.

[phil2pips]

this film was the worst bag of shite ive ever seen.

[BlackScorpio19]

Thank you. There is someone else out there who doesn't think it's the greatest art film ever made.

[symbol93]

why do they skin the girl at the end and how does she survive?

[warningstyle]

@symbol93 Cuz she is on "The other side"

[Comatose08]

I subbed =) Nice review for a kick ass movie!!

[Chloroformityy]

Oh man, you guys have such a cooler cover than us Canadians!

Anyway, to the movie, I freaking love it. One of the best movies I've ever seen. <3

[seirbeach]

Well finally got to see it. Twigged the creature origin, but it was still beautifully done. Many wonderful twists, though its hardly original that the real monsters are us...shades of marc dutroux in Belgium. Even better than the elegiac 'let the right one in'. So not torture porn!!

[seirbeach]

still shaken ?.... it's a must see then. Did you review Inside?

[CivilianSnowman]

I've yet to watch inside, I did buy it. Thanks for the comment, please subscribe if you like my stuff! (apologies if you already have) lol

[CivilianSnowman]

My review of Inside is now up!

[DeanFan123]

I'm American, and I'm really starting to despise american horror films. I LOVE LOVE LOVE horror from other countries like Let The Right One In, Frontiers, Premonition, etc. etc. I think that horror in western civilization has gone to shit...sorry...

[sauron1984]

It's not torture porn. The reason the word "porn" is tagged on is because it's indulging in the extreme acts. There is no indulgence in the torture scenes here. They are depicted as extreme, brutal and disturbing. Just as the rape scene in Irreversible depicts it as an act of brutal violence rather than an act of sex.

[Johnlindsey289]

Does Fight Club count as "Macho Porn" like Roger Ebert declaired in his review of Fight Club?

[troglodyte3344]

I have just a few minutes ago finished watching this movie. I wondered what peoples' thoughts were on the ending and what they thought it meant?

[JayandKayProductionz]

Ahhh omg how could anyone really like that movie?? I hated it, and half of the people i know who saw it hated it, too. It's just....omg.

[SithianHawk]

Well it was a shock film. It was meant to disturb you and it obviously suceeded.

[JayandKayProductionz]

I know that but i wanted to be scared and disturbed not scarred for life

[Thegroundissour]

Does anyone know if the Blu-ray version is english dubbed? I know the DVD version is.

[lelandleichman]

"torture porn"? i ain't going to goggle that shit. i thought it was a beautiful movie, all the brutality fit in to the plot and the characters motives, and both plot and characters had a very meaningful arch. i think "torture porn" doesn't do this justice. i dont think the phrase "torture porn" entered into the minds of those who made it, i think they were just trying to tell the story. which is not "porn" at all. and it sounds like you liked this movie more than 3 stars, just sayin'

[CivilianSnowman]

don't get me wrong i really did like this movie, i just felt, as an impartial reviewer, that although it is brilliant (my opinion has changed since this review) its an endurance test for the audience. if i reviewed it now i would give it 4 stars easily, i was still a little shaken when i did this review!

thanks a lot for the comment, feel free to check out my other reviews and subscribe if you like!

[Johnlindsey289]

@CivilianSnowman

What do you think of Japanese horror?

[redhawke2000]

Your all very sick creatures whom think its meaningful, great, love it , etc, sick people always make crap into gold, typical sick...people ,stay outta my way u sick creatures.

[liamisthesexy]

i'm guessing the skinless scene made you uncomfortable?

[BatALash]

I just watched it. Most fucked up, amazing horror film EVER MADE.

[justinmaki18]

The dude gets some kind of scissors, you don't see any of the skinning. You do see her reaction the when he cuts her though.

[propjam2]

IMPORTANT! SPOILER

I watched parts of the film i dont really want to watch it ever again, but at the ending i missed a few bits, so was she skinned alive by a scalpal or did he get out a potato peeler an start stripping her like a donna kababb on a saturday night? or something else?. could someone please fill me in. the last scene was soo horrible i'd rather not go through the last half hour in detail.

[JayandKayProductionz]

I don't really think they show you how he does it, all you find out is that they skin her and its fucked up!!! But prob Scapel

[UlquiorraAvarice]

This movie was beautiful! >;O I give it a 5 out of 5 ftw! One of the best movies so far... for both horror, etc. PLEASE stop with the American remakes. D; Don't mess up such masterpiece. v.v

[WM10K]

Also...about Torture Porn.

I loved it when it was just exploitation cinema...all the good exploitation/grindhouse classics were LOADED with scenes of torture & humiliation.

I dislike the term torture porn though, and I don't call Martyrs torture porn...

I call it....Torture Erotica! Its got enough substance to match the violence!

Then again, I'm a stoic man...what most call horrific I call a breezy walk in the park.

Maybe I've got a problem?

[MadMadamJess]

sick fuck! lol! Love ya! ::muah!::

xoxoxo

luv,

jessie

[redhawke2000]

your not stoic but sick in the head you sick fool...lol u make me laugh

[WM10K]

you would have given it TWO out of FIVE?!

1. Hostel sucks...did you enjoy that film? Or is it just that its the safe type of movie to put on when drinkin with the boys?

2. I still don't see why you gave it three out of five.....

3. Wife says your favorite horror film is Haute Tension...excellent choice!

You call Martyrs an endurance test, I call it a transcendental journey through hell.

Best new horror movie to come out in a good while.  The French have excelled lately at extreme films.

[MadMadamJess]

i felt it was so poignant and I'd watch it again..prolly tonight!! Fantastic film! It was cheap!!?? AWESOME! You are a stingy man with the 3 out of 5....I say 6!! 6!!!!!!!!! lol!!!

xoxoxo

luv,

jessie

[CivilianSnowman]

Thanks very much for the comments! I'm glad to see this film is building a 'cult' follwing!

[MadMadamJess]

I had to give my hubby 2 thumbs down cause you used 'cult' as a pun. FUCK YAH!! Yes, in fact...we watched it again last night..loved it just as much, if not more. I always need more than one viewing of a flick like that to take it all in, ya know? It's so visually stimulating...not to mention, they got some good lil actresses to play the main characters in this one. I especially loved the woman simply referred to as "Miss.." MUAHAHA! Wonderful film!

xoxo

luv,

jessie

[MadMadamJess]

me and my hubby LOVED this film!!! Oh wow!! We watched the whole damn thing in complete awe. Great review!!!! A million stars! I LOVE TORTURE! Check out my review on this on my blog..MadMadamJess blogspot..what not..

xoxoxoxo

luv,

jessie

[MsBatesMotel]

I must admit, there were a few times when I wanted to switch it off, but I couldn't! It's very well made and I think it does warrant the hype,but it's an aquired taste. You either like it(and I use like cautiously) or you hate it!

[peaeddyka]

Chicken skin is the best part

[PivotDreamArt]

I'm a grown guy, never been even a little scared by a movie, well since i can remember. And i am not exaggerating at all on this one. I was at my friends place and we watched it with a few people, once we finished my hands were shaking, was hard to breathe and i hardly could walk.

[derekismature]

I thought it was an amzing movie. I was a little confused about the Martyrdom concept since the definition of Martyrdom is different from what it is in this movie.

[MsBatesMotel]

I think that what the movie is about is the concept of pain and transcendence and that we as the viewer are on a journeywith Anna as well and endure the film until the end, even though we might want to switch it off. It's very cathartic

[FargoDog]

and thankfully there is none whatsoever, which makes me extremely glad, as rape scenes never ever make me feel good about a film.

The final line of Madamoiselle is so poiganant, and so open to interpretation. Was she giving a nihilistic point to the torture? E.g She has all this blood on her hands, how will she solve it? There is quite an easy way to solve it in this case, and it is dealt with. Or, was she going to visit the other side?

Such a deep movie, I would give it 4.5.

[FargoDog]

don't have.

SPOILER ALERTS!

The viewer has such an emotional attachment to Anna when she is being tortured in the second half. We feel her pain, and when she begins to talk to Lucie it foreshadows her coming Martyrdom, due to Lucie being on 'The other side'

The point of the final 'step' is to show Anna as she literally leaves her body, physically and mentally. Her leaving her skin is is symbolic of her mind detaching.

If the director really was misogynist, there would be rape CONT

[FargoDog]

I agreed with a lot of your points, but something that gets to me is when people refer to the film as torture-porn. It's got torture, yes. But it's not pornographic whatsoever. It doesn't titilate the viewer whatsoever. We feel with Anna as she goes through her beatings.

Also, it's not that gory. It's not a Saw film. It's much less misogynistic than Hostel, especially the sequal.

I enjoyed this film a lot, even more though because its so full of themes that so many modern horrors CONT

[griffin13508822008]

I love a lot of horror films, like Saw Hostel, Frontieres, ecc. but Martyrs is terrible, orrible, I absolutly didn't enjoy it! There is only a lot of violence: for example in the last 30 minuts ther are only punches, kicks and other violence... I disliked this film. :-(((

[ChildOfBodomy]

all these new French movies are owning everything that are beeing released now. Calvaire, High Tension, Frontier(s),Inside and Martyrs are all awsome movies. Hope they are making tons of more brilliant movies like them :) nice review.

[intemperate7]

@ChildOfBodomy irreversible

[unhallowed45]

I thought all of the incomparable violence was not justified enough by the end of the movie, but it definitely left me with a slight scar after watching it! I actually found A L'interieur (Inside) to be a lot scarier. Martyrs and Inside are compared a lot because of the gloomy atmosphere they both contain.

[pekinobo]

I liked your review,. I saw Martyrs about 10 days ago and I haven´t been able to get it out of my head, actually it took me 5 hours to watch the entire movie. And as someone else stated before me her; this movie is made as if you where with Anna, you see what happens to her and you hope she will make it. I recomend this, with a big warning, to anyone who haven´t seen this.

[scottyboy292]

Just finished watching Martyrs. I liked it, I can't say I "enjoyed" it beause like you said its uncomfortable to watch but its a very good movie. I can understand why people might compare it to Hostel but I think Martyrs has so much more depth and reward to it. The ending kinda stunned me in a way, its a movie that I think is gunna stick in my head for a while.I think france is producing some amazing horror at the moment. Have you seen Inside or Frontier(s)?

[CivilianSnowman]

Martrys is like a 'thinking man's' hostel. I think it will stick in your head because its all i've been able to think about since i watched it lol. my favourite horror film is switchblade romance/ high tension which as you probably know is in fact french. i have yet to see inside but i have heard great things about it so i cant wait to watch it. thanks for the comment!

[Johnlindsey289]

Your country banned too much horror movies back in the day with so called video nasties which we Americans, the Japanese, The Dutch, and others have them uncut and uncensored.

[BloodWind]

God, I've been dying to watch this movie. I've heard it's very violent!

Great review man!

[CivilianSnowman]

Thanks man, it is exceptionally violent, but a good watch. It had me hooked from the opening shot.

[CookMeABeer]

To more this movie will always be a mix of Hostel and a religious movie. I felt that the change to each different themes, was a little bit too sudden and there wasn't enough ease into it. Great review good sir.

[CivilianSnowman]

Yeah I agree that the shift in themes could've been a lot smoother, however, its refreshing to see a horror movie that actually has themes to shift into lol. Thanks for the comment!

[LtMikeHarrigan]

Yeah, i heard some one describe the film as "existiential torture porn". I think there's a bit more to it then that, I mean it is really ambitious what the director has tried to achieve. The last shot of Anna looking up is still etched in my eyes.

[DellamorteDellamore0]

Everyone has been telling me that this film is so powerful and emotionally exhausting. Would you concur?

[CivilianSnowman]

I didn't find it powerful but damn it's exhausting!

[LtMikeHarrigan]

Yeah. To an extent it almost feels like you went through all that torture with her!

[LtMikeHarrigan]

Ok, so I just finished it and all I can say is... what. the. f**k. I really don't know what to think. It really wasn't what I was expecting...

Have you seen the French horror film Them? That was the first horror film to freak me out in a long time. *shivers*

[LtMikeHarrigan]

But I think this just topped it...

[CivilianSnowman]

I really didn't like 'Them' because it was hyped up to make you "never feel safe in your home again" etc and its all set in a HUGE farmhouse. I can't relate to that. If it was set in a semi-detatched townhouse then maybe I'd have found it scary haha. But we don't all live in the arse end of nowhere in mansions lol. thanks for the comment

[gregarganda]

I do not think I am going to rent this, there are certain horror movies that thoroughly bother me and the description of this one almost sounds like Gregory Wilson's "The Girl Next door."

[fuzzydave09]

Great review, that film sounds a bit nasty lol,

[septemberblueuk]

Brilliant review, going to rent this movie.

[INSANEFan66]

awesome review man, i really need to see this.