Review of Frontier(s) (2007) by Nia E — 13 Jan 2009

This film is not the continental torture porn the trailer makes it out to be. Yes, it's brutal; yes, it's bloody and yes, there are bits that are reminiscent of Hostel. But something's missing - torture.

The characters in this film are not strictly tortured, they're held captive and killed. But forget semantics - this film can be enjoyed as the brutal ordeal it is, but there are so many layers beneath.

Politically, its interesting trying to work out just what Gens is trying to say. Personally, I thought that the play of gender in this film was fascinating. Frontiere(s) feels like it succeeds (and then some) in what The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake wishes it was.

I won't elaborate here, but may do elsewhere. Though Frontiere(s) does not have quite the same power to disturb and unsettle as Martyrs (although the films are very different), there is a lot here to digest once the credits roll.

Fantastic.