ils (Them)

Now here is a horror film that lives up to its billing. No gore, no messing around, just 75 minutes of genuine tension and scares gradually built up to a shocking conclusion. When I say I like horror films it is for these reasons, unlike the torture-obsessed horrors that have recently dominates the US output full of grisly deaths and a voyeuristic joy in suffering, a psychological and nerve wracking movie which simply follows a couple terrorised in their home by unknown assailants, trying desperately to survive. Alone in a rented house in the middle of no-where the film follows the couple as they go about their daily routine, only to be awoken in the middle of the night. From here the film is unrelenting as they are attacked and must try and escape.

What the film does so well is endear you to the characters in a short space of time, but enough that you genuinely fear for their safety. One of the worst things about horror films such as Saw or Hostel is that you are not really meant to cheer for the victim, well here you do and it makes it all the more intense when everything starts to unravel. The film brilliantly ratchets up the suspense by keeping the attackers in the dark and the sound design and creeping camera work build up the tension to near unbearable levels. What is also remarkable about the film is that it is able to keep this up for the entire running time. Unlike other films there is no break between set pieces, no police chief hunting a killer, no other victims, just one night of terror that manages to keep the ideas fresh and thrills unique. What you end up with is a taught lean thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout and that knocks you out with a satisfying, but disturbing finale.

The film is in French with subtitles but is further proof that some of the best examples of cinema come from foreign countries and if you like your horror and feel OK to have your nerves shredded this is a film well worth checking out, you’ll be glad you did!

A small, smart and original chiller with enough innovation and ideas to maintain its momentum right to the end. Tense, unsettling and unique this is genuinely scary and one to watch with the lights down and volume up.