Switchblade Romance

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Switchblade Romance

R

Released Jun 10, 2005

1h 29m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

131 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A beautiful young Frenchwoman, Alex (Maïwenn Le Besco), travels out to the country to visit her family and brings along her friend Marie (Cécile de France). Soon after they get settled in the secluded home, Alex's parents are brutally attacked by a psychotic truck driver (Philippe Nahon), who proceeds to stalk the two women as well. When the killer kidnaps Alex in his truck, Marie hides in the back to try and rescue her, but the bloodshed is far from over.

Critics Consensus

There is indeed a good amount of tension in this French slasher, but the dubbing is bad and the end twist unbelievable.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Not only is it an assault on the senses, the film is so narcissistically nihilistic the only ones sure to get a kick out of it are members of the Manson Family fan club.

Rated: 1/4

Dec 13, 2005

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

The ultimate rescue, however, comes when the credits roll and the lights come up.

Rated: C

Jun 14, 2005

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Peter Debruge

Premiere Magazine

Rated: 2/4

Jun 14, 2005

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Brian Bisesi

Horror Movie Club Podcast

For most viewers, the success of High Tension will hinge upon the third act’s bold reveal. For me, the frustration of that reveal nearly erases any of the movie’s shallow merits.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 14, 2024

Full Review

Paul Lê

Bloody Disgusting

It completely unsettles the viewer like anything else to come out of the New French Extremity. The only difference is High Tension achieves its goal in the most unexpected way.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 21, 2023

Full Review

Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

A very effective French horror film that takes a simplistic premise and milks it for every ounce of suspense possible.

Rated: B

Nov 19, 2019

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chris h

Great movie....don't understand the hate on the study of someone with mental disorder.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/03/25

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Jonny S

Firstly this film seems to have about 3 different titles. Not that’s an issue but if you haven’t seen the film the title ‘switchblade romance’ will probably ruin the twist unlike, the original French title ‘Haute tension’. That aside, this was another French brutalist horror on the Amazon prime list for me. ‘Frontiers’ being the best so far. HT was pretty good … but nothing amazing. Like other reviews … the twist near the end might ruin it for some. It’s worth a watch but nothing amazing.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/21/25

Full Review

W C S

This film is a shock to the senses, there's no doubt about that. I feel as though it captures realistic horror elements much better than its counterparts. In fact, it is one of the most realistically-portrayed shock-horror films I have seen to date, which makes it stand out to me. Sure, there are pretty sizable plot holes. But the raw emotion that you will feel from its acting and brutal imagery makes this film a verisimilitude of an eerie, murderous sadistic rampage. The far-fetched ending, to me, is a fun mental journey! High Tension doesn't disappoint, and lives up to its name.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/18/25

Full Review

Ricardo d

O que tem de melhor é a atuação de Cecile de France. O roteiro descamba para a incoerência, que nem vou poder citar sem dar spoilers. É um absurdo. Pior é que nem direção nem equipe viram tamanha furada que estavam gravando.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/06/25

Full Review

James O

I can watch and Rewatch this forever. Great kills, look, and twist

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/06/25

Full Review

Wyndham M

This would make a great franchise

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/05/25

Full Review

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Alexandre Aja

Director

Cécile de France

Marie

Maïwenn

Alex

Philippe Nahon

Le tueur

Franck Khalfoun

Jimmy

Andrei Finti

Le père d'Alex

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Synopsis

A beautiful young Frenchwoman, Alex (Maïwenn Le Besco), travels out to the country to visit her family and brings along her friend Marie (Cécile de France). Soon after they get settled in the secluded home, Alex's parents are brutally attacked by a psychotic truck driver (Philippe Nahon), who proceeds to stalk the two women as well. When the killer kidnaps Alex in his truck, Marie hides in the back to try and rescue her, but the bloodshed is far from over.

Director: Alexandre Aja
Producer: Robert Benmussa, Alexandre Arcady, Luc Besson
Screenwriter: Grégory Levasseur, Alexandre Aja
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: EuropaCorp, Alexandre Films
Rating: R (Language|Graphic Bloody Killings|Sexual Content|Terror)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 22, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.6M
Runtime: 1h 29m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)