High Tension "Haute Tension and Switchblade Romance" (2003) 7 of 100

Susan's History with this movie: 

High Tension is one of those films that you watch and then after it ends.....you watch it again just to see where you missed the plot twist. I love this movie. It's disturbing and inventive and the reason horror movies are still being made. 

James "The Jimi" Hattar submitted the following investigation for The Feminist Slasher Project.

Play by Play:

“High Tension” (aka Haute Tension and Switchblade Romance) is a French Slasher flick directed by Alexandre Aja (Mirrors and The Hills Have Eyes remake).  The film has a style that is very much in the vein of the 70’s Italian horror films from Argento or Fulci.  “High Tension” is a gritty, unnerving horror film that features a twist midway in the story that tends to divide fans.  Here are the basics without giving much away.

Students Marie (Cécile de France) and Alex (Maïwenn) have no idea of the horrors that await them when they head off to visit Alex’s family, who live in a remote country home to study for their upcoming exams.  A creepy, psychopathic stranger (Philippe Nahon) attacks the whole family while Marie hides, tying up Alex and taking her away in his dirty old van.  Now it's up to Marie to go after the psychopath and save her friend -- but first, she must figure out what's really going on.

The movie moves at a brisk pace and it’s a game of cat and mouse between Marie and the killer.  Nahon’s portrayal of the killer has a personality that will genuinely frighten you.  The twisted killer just oozes of creepy perversion.  The twist tends to lose some viewers.  Not giving the twist away, you have to keep in mind that the first half of the film is being told from the main character's point of view when she asks the police interviewer if the camera is on.  When the twist actually happens, what we witness from then on is the actual truth.  The bottom line: you're either going to love the twist, or you're going to hate it.  I'll leave that up to you to decide.

Though not the best horror film, there's plenty to like here with non-stop bloody kills, good acting, an excellent score and some truly suspenseful moments.   The story relies more on tension building and a psychological fear based thrill.  Director Aja does an amazing job of creating atmosphere so tense that audiences sit with their hands clenched to their chairs through most of the movie.  “High Tension” has a classic horror feel with creative blood and gore effects by F/X genius Giannetto De Rossi (Zombie).  If you rent this film, do yourself a favor and watch the original French language version with subtitles, instead of the dubbed English version, it’s much better.  The Jimi highly recommends this flick.

 Feminist Slasher Project Research:

The portrayal of Marie and Alex in the film was that of attractive and intelligent college girls, with a lesbian undertone from one of the characters.  When the killer shows up, Alex turns into the damsel in distress while Marie becomes the heroine trying to save her friend and fend off the killer.  Alex later learns to fight back against the villain.  Now because of the twist, most will change their minds about this conclusion and say that the female characters are subjected to being violently and psychologically tortured throughout. 

The lesbian undertone from one of the characters may also cause most to change their minds that women who are gay are all manly looking and are perceived as crazed pychos.  Regardless, this story is still about and driven by strong women trying to survive mentally and physically by any means, without the aid of a male.  Though I really like this movie I will have to give “High Tension” a red light for the Feminist Slasher Project.