Review of Martyrs

Martyrs has become the measuring stick by which I evaluate the shock, disturbedness, and intensity of everything Ive watched since. Made in 2007, I originally found this title at Blockbuster of all places, and theres simply no way they realize what it is. Its not SO extreme that you cant sit through it, but its pretty f-ed up. This movie starts as your typical torture-porn, in the vein of Hostel, Saw, what not,(except done really well and with added layers of mystery) but takes a pretty wild turn and becomes much, much more. For anyone that ever saw the old 1920s maybe 30s French silent film masterpiece, Passion of Joan of Arc (and if you havent, instant-queue it) I think youll agree that had that film not been made, Martyrs would be a different and not nearly as effective film. This movie will scare you, repulse you, and disturb you. Its top rate horror, and has become one of my all time favorites. And yes, I worry about the implications of that statement.