Review of Martyrs (2008) by Richard R — 11 Mar 2011

I was completely gripped by the first third of this truly innovative horror film. Few in its genre have explored the nature of evil without reverting to predictable plot twists and conventional horror themes.

This film is one of those rare movie experiences through which we observe multifaceted consequences of inhumane treatment towards innocent people. In this film, chaos becomes a type of inescapable bond entangling the fates of the innocent and the guilty in a bloody mix of "judicial" execution and unnecessary victimization.

In spite of my admiration for it's bold ideas and cinematic proficiency, I found myself disliking it as its story unfolded. I think it is because Pascal Laugier neglected to appropriately develop the concept of martyrdom.

The recipients of gratuitous violence in this movie seem to play the role of victim rather than martyr. After all, the very definition indicates a willingness to die for a cause by rejecting the option of escape.

I acknowledge that Laugier touches on this slightly by making his victims the typical undesirables of American evangelical society (i.e. gays, atheists, adulterers). He also gives his lead character, played by Morjana Alaoui, the chance to leave behind a victim and save herself; instead, she frees the poor soul from her bonds and attempts to heal her wounds.

In spite of the heroic nature of her actions, it still does not grant Alaoui's character the choice to abandon the scene. When the true monsters arrive they hold her against her will and refuse her any possibility for self-preservation.

The motivation for their occult-based experiments seems to stem from a desire to obtain absolute knowledge rather than retribution for sins committed against God. By doing so, they ignore the plight of their prisoners in hopes of discovering some deep spiritual truth, thus making them murdering psycho-paths and not political tyrants.

Martyrs are created when innocent people are given the opportunity to renounce the socio-political cause for which he or she is being punished but instead choose to remain steadfast. In short, choice must be factor.

For me, this flaw does not ruin the film but only reduces it from a great movie to a really good torture flik.