Martyrs

It is rather difficult for me to say that I “recommend” people watch this film. I can’t even begin to list the triggers and traumatic themes encompassed within these excruciating 99 minutes. It’s not the gore that makes ‘Martyrs’ the hardest watch of all, but the madness, and violence against women, the suffering, the agony that the characters face in the name of discovery, science and blatant curiosity. ‘Hostel’ may be brutal, but not as convincing as ‘Martyrs’, the most morbid horror I’ve ever seen. Films such as ‘Infinity Pool’ attempt to replicate some of the situational themes but miss the mark, and are like child’s play in comparison. ‘Martyrs’ is unexplainable. It’s ending both upsetting and fitting in regards to what it wished to convey. You must realise this going in, that ‘Martyrs’ is brilliant and that is what makes it awful. The French can truly put together a great dramatic horror. Nothing can compare to seeing it for the first, and surely last, time. [9.8/10]