Review of Martyrs (2008) by Kaj J — 12 Feb 2012
*** SPOILER ALERT***.
Martyrs is... difficult.
Bleak, brutal and relentless are the most common adjectives that a plethora of film critics has slung at this movie, and I agree with those words (brutal and relentless are appropriate descriptions for the film's third act). Torture porn is another description, which I don't agree with. Why? Because the film is about something and the end of the third act, in my opinion, makes - at least to some extent - the excruciating journey to get there worthwhile. And, during the extreme bleakness of that third act, director Pascal Laugier achieves something that you could never expect - he has the main character subjected to the most brutal torture possible and ultimately makes her inevitable death an uplifting experience. That is the wow moment that makes the journey worthwhile.
Polarising is another word thrown at this movie. I agree, and understand that many people will oppose my opinion, but there it is...
This review of Martyrs (2008) was written by Kaj J on 12 Feb 2012.
Martyrs has generally received mixed reviews.
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