High Tension makes no sense. There's no need to discuss plot points, dialogue, or acting, because this movie makes no sense. The ending is the real killer here, not the guy walking around with a saw chopping people up. It's a shame too, because the movie lives up to its name until the final moments.

This is a movie with almost no plot. The set up is quick, and around the 15-minute mark, there's almost need for another line of dialogue. A psychotic murderer enters into a house and begins to dismantle an entire family in some of the most innovative and gruesome ways possible. This guy knows no bounds, taking out the family dog and a child.

This all happens as lead actress Cécile De France attempts to make an escape, try to make frantic phone calls, find a new hiding spot, or try to protect her friend. Scenes inside the crammed house are incredible in how they build up the tension the title promises. Gore is insane, with some innovative death scenes, including one of the best decapitations you'll ever see.

It's effective enough to create the needed horror and carry the film. At a brisk 98-minutes, there's not much time for anything but killing, chasing, and more killing. This one garnered a NC-17 from the MPAA, and with very little language and only brief nudity, it's earned entirely by the film's over-the-top violence.

Then the unthinkable happens. It's one of those "lets shock the audience with an ending that makes no sense just so they have to think about it." Sadly, people will leave this movie thinking about the twist ending, and realize after a few minutes that there's no point in wasting the energy. It's bad enough that it's completely illogical; it was unnecessary too. With a typical slasher film finish, the movie would have lost nothing. Instead, the twist makes the entire thing ridiculous.

There's still plenty of reasons to watch. Horror fans can witness classic gore, thriller fans will get a workout, and people who enjoy being shocked should have plenty to talk about. All of that assumes the movie is turned off around the hour and fifteen minute mark. Anything past that is too ludicrous to accept. (*** out of *****)