High Tension

Name: High Tension
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Horror, Romance, Crime
Released: June 10, 2005
Duration: 91 min
Rating: 42
Cast: Cécile De France, Maïwenn Le Besco

2005

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 85 Ratings

See All

6.5

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.5	Your Score
6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 85 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

High Tension

Now Playing: High Tension

Movie Details & Credits

Lions Gate Films | Release Date: June 10, 2005 | NC-17

Starring: Cécile De France, Maïwenn Le Besco

Summary: A white-knuckle journey into the heart of fear, this is the terrifying story of two girls' battle for survival at the hands of a sadistic psychopath. (Lions Gate Films)

Director: Alexandre Aja

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Horror, Romance, Crime

Rating: NC-17

Runtime: 91 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Jeremy Knox

A movie that wants you to squirm in your seat and judged by that standard, it works brilliantly. Read full review

Mike Clark

But purely as an exercise in style, this movie has its moments. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Even if you don't buy the ending, however, High Tension makes for ghoulish, sick fun, and Aja, who is already at work on a remake of Wes Craven's The Hills Have Eyes, clearly takes this horror stuff very seriously. The genre can always use a few more like him. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

For all this, there is one unalloyed good thing to be said for High Tension. When all is said and done, it really does live up to its title. In every other way it's trash, but that truth-in-advertising aspect is a major weight to throw into the mix. Read full review

Sean Axmaker

This film is satisfied merely to wallow in women in peril, cinematic sadism and the spectacle of violent death and dismemberment. Read full review

Marc Savlov

Stylistically thrilling but ultimately tedious French import. Read full review

Michael Sragow

The movie is a model of multinational incompetence. Read full review

SEE ALL 30 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

Robusualsuspect

Mar 12, 2011

Un film angoissant et bien dans l'esprit du cinÃ©ma d'horreur francais, avec une cecile de france convanquante dans son role pourtant compliquÃ© a jouer.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Toki_Wartooth

Dec 26, 2010

Carries on the tradition of slasher films. Tons of violence and gore, but not ridiculous like the Saw series. The movie doesn't make too much sense until the end where you'll either be surprised by the ending and or get pissed because you've been over-analyzing the entire film looking for aCarries on the tradition of slasher films. Tons of violence and gore, but not ridiculous like the Saw series. The movie doesn't make too much sense until the end where you'll either be surprised by the ending and or get pissed because you've been over-analyzing the entire film looking for a reason why. I was in the surprised "that's unexpected" camp, because it's a horror film. When was the last time you saw a horror film with an epic story? It's good for what it is and I don't think it was every trying to be more than what it is.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Rcavey92212

Aug 13, 2020

*SPOILER* This is a brilliant but totally divisive horror film amongst genre fans. Originally titled Switchblade Romance Lionsgate picked up the release along with House of 1000 Corpses to rope in starved horror audiences. Sadly the domestic release had awful dubbing but the goods were still*SPOILER* This is a brilliant but totally divisive horror film amongst genre fans. Originally titled Switchblade Romance Lionsgate picked up the release along with House of 1000 Corpses to rope in starved horror audiences. Sadly the domestic release had awful dubbing but the goods were still there. It centers around two young women Marie and Alexia who are driving into the French countryside to spend time with family and do some studying. Late at night they are attacked by a brutal serial killer who kills Alexia's family including her little brother and takes her hostage. Marie is the only one to get away and chooses to follow the man which leads us to some of the most intense sequences ever seen in the genre. As the movie barrels towards it's fierce climax we suddenly are made aware that Marie is the actual villain and we've been experiencing the film through her minds eye. This is what pushes people off alot because they feel very misled. But in my opinion the twist really works and even enhances the proceedings because Marie has a romantic crush on Alexia and because of her inability to be honest about her feelings it has led her to create a violent persona as an outlet. Sure it's a lot to bite but it's quite intriguing. Also splatter movie fans won't be disappointed because theres a multitude of impressive cringe worthy practical effects and waves of the red stuff. Cecille De France is amazing as Marie making the character feel genuine on every front. And as for the direction from future star film maker Alexander Aja the movie is an inspired work of genre cinema showing a ton of promise and a truly refreshing outlook.

Budget: $2.5M
Box Office: $6.8M

8.5/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RobbyT.

Oct 9, 2005

Honestly, High Tension is not a good movie... but I loved it! it is the definition of what a horror movie was supposed to be ten years ago. So get out your official Slasher handbook and let's run down the checklist. Weapons: axe, butcher knife, barbwire, shotgun, chainsaw, revolver, Honestly, High Tension is not a good movie... but I loved it! it is the definition of what a horror movie was supposed to be ten years ago. So get out your official Slasher handbook and let's run down the checklist. Weapons: axe, butcher knife, barbwire, shotgun, chainsaw, revolver, switchblade. Check. We'll obviously need a dark cornfield (must be easy to get lost in). Check. Cut the phone lines. The police should be of absolutely no help. Check and check. Stir in some nudity and extremely graphic violence (including, but not limited to, decapitation). Check. But wait... there must be a twist... one that has been used so much that the viewer almost might not be expecting it. Check. How about some creepy music? Muse's "New Born" fits so perfectly in this film that it is amazing it wasn't tailor made for it. Bottom line: if you want to see a horror movie that reminds you why you started watching horror movies in the first place... High Tension fits the bill. Although (ironically) the film is entirely in French. Wait! I almost forgot the most important part: Enough blood to flood New Orleans all over again... Check.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Zeku

Dec 11, 2017

A film that for all its duration really knows how to give a '' high tension '', which makes us fond of his characters and invites us to watch it until the end.
And that is probably the only one, but big, defect that destroys almost the whole film: a totally disconnected, meaningless endingA film that for all its duration really knows how to give a '' high tension '', which makes us fond of his characters and invites us to watch it until the end.
And that is probably the only one, but big, defect that destroys almost the whole film: a totally disconnected, meaningless ending that goes to create flaws in the script that unfortunately can not be ignored.
A pity, because with a more logical ending this film could have overcome the mere sufficiency.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

realndn

Nov 12, 2011

I read about this movie online and decided to watch it after already knowing the ending...big mistake. Knowing the ending completely ruins the entire movie. Without going into spoiler territory, the only redeeming quality of this movie is the incredibly hot main character. That aloneI read about this movie online and decided to watch it after already knowing the ending...big mistake. Knowing the ending completely ruins the entire movie. Without going into spoiler territory, the only redeeming quality of this movie is the incredibly hot main character. That alone bumps this up to a 5 for me.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

topemu

Jun 25, 2018

I give this a zero for being offensive. The actual movie as a whole is a well made gore/shock fest. BUT it has some seriously stupid elements, and actually made me a bit angry. Having sex with a severed head is definitely unnecessary. Also many parts of the movie characters just get killedI give this a zero for being offensive. The actual movie as a whole is a well made gore/shock fest. BUT it has some seriously stupid elements, and actually made me a bit angry. Having sex with a severed head is definitely unnecessary. Also many parts of the movie characters just get killed for the dumbest reasons.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SEE ALL 23 REVIEWS