MovieChat Forums > Haute tension (2005) Discussion > Just wondering...

Just wondering...

posted 13 years ago by TrueOrFalse48
3 replies | jump to latest

What is it that makes this movie "one of the best horrors of the 21st century"?

I mean, the "And it turns out the main character was the psycho all along" ending is heading for "It was all a dream!!" status, isn't it? I've seen it done lots of times in other movies so it's hardly the originality of the plot that everyone likes.

Now, please don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the movie as a standard horror flick. I just don't understand why its been picked out over the many similar movies that have come out this century and called one of the best.

If you disagree, then please tell me what you think. Maybe you'll help me to see what everyone else seems to see!

[–] sm-meehan 13 years ago

The tension and mood created in the first hour of this film is done as well as I've seen in any other horror film. I've never seen another slasher/home invasion flick create the palpable tension Aja creates. So we have a tensely woven horror film with complexity- it takes some skill and thought to determine exactly how the film works. there are pieces of the film which are both Marie's insane version and actual events. It took me time to realize how the events fit together, but the movie makes total sense, just not on the first (or perhaps second and third) viewings. How many horror films require additional viewings/thought? The complexity wouldn't hold weight though if he didn't so skillfully create so much tension in the film.

[–] DOPE-cinema 13 years ago

The intensity, suspense, high tension and how bloody it was but it still maintained realistic and didn't sacrifice the tension/suspense.

Horror movies now (especially American) are either all gorey/unrealistic and no story/suspense/tension or all story/suspense/tension and little to no violence.

I'm Eli Goldsworthy and I approve this message.

[–] SweetEpie 13 years ago

madina_lake_are_great, I know you posted this a while back but what other movies are you talking about? I am a big fan of High Tension and would love to see similar movies.
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