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 *****)
Article comments
1 - Aaron Fleming
Yeah, pretty cool death scenes, but in the end it's just another schlocky slasher film. And that end is now nothing more than a bland cliche.
2 - Steve C.
As much as I dislike the ending - and it does ruin the film - I will give Aja credit: He saves the best murder scene until after the twist. (CHUNKY!)
3 - Jessa
I saw this movie a while ago and I have to agree. The killing of the family at the house was brilliant. It was very well done. But towards the end, it lagged and got boring. It had a lot of potential but it's a shame. I think it would have been great if the entire movie was filmed in or around that house. Maybe then it could have continued to make the audience sit on the edge of their seats. Who knows? Good review!
4 - Nephryel
I have to say I disagree with you all. The ending was expected if you pay enough attention to details. I'm afraid after the first two scenes it was pretty obvious where the movie would go, especially after the dream sequence in the car in the first 10 minutes.
Cliche, perhaps, but it was well done, and gave plenty of warning of what was coming at the end. It was just a matter of how they played it off and to just what level of 'crazy' they were going to crank it up to.
I, personally, found it very well executed and well worth the watch. Even down to the very last seconds of it that lead you full circle back to the beginning of the movie, neatly tying it up as a good plot should.
5 - Jordan
what did the twist mean? i didnt get it.