High Tension (2003)
"Haute tension" (original title)

Two college friends, Marie and Alexa, encounter loads of trouble (and blood) while on vacation at Alexa's parents' country home when a mysterious killer invades their quiet getaway.

Director:

Alexandre Aja

Writers:

Alexandre Aja, Grégory Levasseur

Stars:

Cécile De France, Maïwenn, Philippe Nahon

5 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Cécile De France	...	Marie
Maïwenn	...	Alexia
Philippe Nahon	...	Le tueur
Franck Khalfoun	...	Jimmy
Andrei Finti	...	Père Alex
Oana Pellea	...	Mère Alex
Marco Claudiu Pascu	...	Tom
Jean-Claude de Goros	...	Capitaine Gendarmerie
Bogdan Uritescu	...	Gendarme
Gabriel Spahiu	...	Homme voiture

Storyline

Alexia travels with her friend Marie to spend a couple of days with her family in their farm in the country. They arrive late and they are welcomed by Alexia's father. Late in the night, a sadistic and sick killer breaks into the farmhouse, slaughters Alexia's family--including their dog--and kidnaps Alexia. Marie hides from the criminal and tries to help the hysterical and frightened Alexia, chase the maniac, and disclose his identity in the end.

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Plot Keywords:

friend | student | farmhouse | chase | dog | 

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Taglines:

Hearts will bleed.

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for graphic bloody killings, terror, sexual content and language

Details

Official Sites:

Lions Gate Entertainment [us]

Country:

France

Language:

French English Italian

Release Date:

10 June 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

High Tension

Filming Locations:

Bucharest, Romania

Box Office

Budget:

€2,200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$8,328 (Chile) (15 September 2006)

Gross:

$30,781 (Chile) (22 September 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alexandre Films, EuropaCorp

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min 85 min (DVD) 84 min (re-cut) 89 min (edited)

Sound Mix:

DTS SDDS (US version) Dolby Digital (US version) Dolby Digital EX (original version)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The overalls that the killer is wearing the whole time say "Aja & Freres" on the back. The director's name is Alexandre Aja.

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Goofs

The killer takes the ax out of the gas station clerk, so he had to have flipped him over to do so. So it makes sense why the clerk is on his back in a later scene.

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Quotes

Le tueur: You drive a woman crazy. You little slut.

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Connections

References Alien (1979)

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Soundtracks

"I Believe"
(Scott Nickoley / Jamie Dunlap / Molly Pasutti / Marc Ferrari)
Ed. Koka Media / Killer Tracks

User Reviews

A rush of adrenaline

The title of this marvellous French horror thriller translates directly into English as 'High Tension', and as anyone who's seen it will tell you; it's an apt title. Simply put, Switchblade Romance (to give it English release, and better, title) is a pure adrenaline rush throughout. The film forsakes substance in favour of masses of tension and the result is a film that is guaranteed to get your heart racing. The fact that the film features numerous sequences of extreme gore doesn't exactly hinder it either. There has been a surge of good, inventive horror coming from overseas and independent studios recently; the likes of May, Dog Soldiers and Sleepless being among the best of them, and Switchblade Romance sits nicely alongside the cream of the recent crop. This film follows two friends, Alex and Marie who go to stay with Alex's parents in their country home. However, things go awry when a man breaks into the home and brutally murders the family. We then follow Alex and Marie through a roller coaster ride of tension and suspense as they try their best not get sliced and diced!

The film is very stylishly shot, and this has lead many to label it a 'Giallo'. This is most certainly not true, and there isn't much other than the style of the movie to suggest this. Switchblade Romance is more of a Texas Chainsaw Massacre style horror driven slasher than a Giallo; the film clearly knows this also, with a direct homage to the seventies classic towards it's climax. The amount of gore on display is impressive, and several scenes are certainly not for the feint-hearted. There's quite an array of weaponry in the film also, from the plain and simple switchblade, to much more exciting weapons like barbed wire, various guns, an axe and, my personal favourite, the chainsaw! In fact, I am pleased to report that Switchblade Romance features what is maybe the most brutal chainsaw scene ever! Aside from the weapons and gore, this film is also of note for it's music. The original score sets just the right tone for the goings on - it's atmospheric, but steady and almost like a lullaby, which fits with the film's style nicely. Switchblade Romance also features one of the best uses of original music of recent years, with a great scene that incorporates Muse's "New Born".

Switchblade Romance is pure style, and a complete adrenaline rush. Tension isn't in the film, it IS the film. In spite of it's lack of substance, this movie will have you on the edge of your seat and begging for more. Add that to some lovely music, classy acting and enough gore to fill an abattoir - and what you've got is the makings of a cult classic!