Martyrs

Last week on Twitter, I asked for recommendations of movies that would creep me out. I got a few responses, most of which I'd already seen, and most of which I didn't think were "creepy" in any way really. To say that I'm desensitized at this point is a gross understatement. It takes a LOT for a movie to really get to me these days. I cite films like The Strangers, Darkness, A Serbian Film, and The Descent, among a few others, as triumphs in their respective genres because they elicited an unexpected reaction from me in some form or another. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it really sticks with me.

The twisted twins, Jen and Sylvia Soska, whom I've gone on and on about here in regard to their debut film Dead Hooker in a Trunk and upcoming Katharine Isabelle starring feature American Mary, suggested that I check out a film called "Martyrs". Jen Sylvia aren't the first to recommend this movie to me, but I had still yet to see it. However, I've seen Dead Hooker in a Trunk, and if they say Martyrs will creep me out, then I'm inclined to believe them. Tonight I sat down and watched it, but I won't be reviewing it the way I normally do.

My experience with Martyrs is one of those rare occasions I talked about above. The short version for those who won't bother to read my rambling is, did I like Martyrs? Yes. It's the kind of movie that I would like to make were I to ever decide to make a movie. Very well done, well acted, make-up was top notch, and it grabbed me within the first few minutes and never let go. However, it's also the kind of movie that if you know very much about it before watching it, then it wouldn't necessarily ruin the experience for you, but it wouldn't have the same impact. I don't want to spoil this film in any way for anyone who hasn't seen it and wants to.

What I will say is that Martyrs plays as two different movies, the first of which is fine, deals with some disturbing subject matter, and had me thinking I knew exactly where this story was going. About halfway through I discovered that I was very, very wrong. When this movie turns that corner, and gives the revelation as to what is going on, it completely goes to another level of disturbing. It started to get to me, and at one point had gotten so bad that I had to text people just to for a little break and to get my mind off of the movie a bit. That might make me a pussy to some of you, if you've seen Martyrs and it didn't do the same to you then my hat's off to you. I also worry about you. I would imagine this is the type of thing that Pinhead has nightmares about. So yes, I liked Martyrs. I will likely watch it again, will definitely be adding it to my dvd collection. I doubt it will ever have the same effect on me that it did tonight, and that honestly is a bit disappointing. Something like The Strangers or A Serbian Film is going to fuck with me every time I watch it, Martyrs I think will have lost it's shock value. It will still be supremely fucked up, but I'll be ready for it next time.

I want to thank Jen and Sylvia for suggesting I watch Martyrs. Doubt they'll see this, but I asked for a recommendation and theirs delivered HUGE. I'm a little mad that I didn't see this movie sooner.I would recommend anybody looking to test how far their willing to let a movie go to fuck with them to give it a watch. I can't really compare it to anything else that I've seen, but trust me this movie is FUCKED. If anyone who happens by here knows of anything similar out there, please leave suggestions in the comments. I don't really know why I like doing this to myself, but dammit I do.