Click here to copy URL

High Tension

6.2

11,154

Ratings

Add to lists

where to watch

Pro reviews

Links

Original title

Haute tension

Year

2003

Running time

90 min.

Country

France

Director

Alexandre Aja

Screenwriter

Alexandre Aja, Grégory Levasseur

Cast

Music

François Eudes

Cinematography

Maxime Alexandre

Producer

Europa Corp, Alexandre Films

Genre

Horror | Slasher. Gore. Serial Killers. Home Invasion. Cult Movie

Movie Groups

New French Extremity

Synopsis

Marie and Alexia are schoolmates and best friends. Hoping to prepare for their college exams in peace and quiet, they decide to spend a weekend in the country at Alexia’s parents’ secluded farmhouse. But in the dead of night, a stranger knocks on the front door. And with the first swing of his knife, the girls’ idyllic weekend turns into an endless night of terror.

Rankings Position

#30 Best Slasher Movies

Awards: 2003: Sitges Fantasy Film Festival: Best Director, Best Actress (De France) & Makeup

Show all

Critics' reviews

"A pure, unapologetic, unironic homage to the likes of "Friday the 13th" that respectfully salutes all the old shtick."

Kyle Smith: New York Post
"Deftly juggles gore and suspense (...) but basically this is one more horror pic on the distinguished road already trodden by 'Texas Chain Saw Massacre,'"

Lisa Nesselson: Variety
"Some viewers will hate Aja's movie for its end-game reveal; others will love it for the very same reason"

Robert K. Elder: Chicago Tribune
"For much of its duration the film is a case of intense fare done with an undeniable effectiveness and ingenuity -- until it lurches into a deplorable surprise twist"

Kevin Crust: Los Angeles Times
"The philosopher Thomas Hobbes tells us life can be 'poor, nasty, brutish and short.' So is this movie (...) Rating: ★ (out of 4)"

Roger Ebert: Chicago Sun-Times
"The film revels in blood and gore, but this is not just a run-of-the-mill splatter film. There's a lot of intelligence in both the script and in Alexandre Aja's direction."

James Berardinelli: ReelViews
"By turns unnerving and numbing"

Manohla Dargis: The New York Times

Movie Soulmates' ratings: Register so you can access movie recommendations tailored to your movie taste.
Friends' ratings: Register so you can check out ratings by your friends, family members, and like-minded members of the FA community.

Ranking Lists Position

49 My Top 10 Movies from 2003 (47)
51 The Most Unpleasant Movies I Have Ever Watched (24)
64 My Favorite Horror Movies (251)

Is the synopsis/plot summary missing? Do you want to report a spoiler, error or omission? Please send us a message.
If you are not a registered user please send us an email to [email protected]

All copyrighted material (movie posters, DVD covers, stills, trailers) and trademarks belong to their respective producers and/or distributors.

For US ratings information please visit: www.mpaa.org www.filmratings.com www.parentalguide.org

High Tension

User history