Switchblade Romance

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Switchblade Romance

R

2005

1h 29m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

41%

Tomatometer

130 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.

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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

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

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

Rated: C

Jun 14, 2005

Full Review

Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

An extremely well-made, very grisly and ultimately dishonest slasher film that's too clever for its own good.

Jun 13, 2005

Full Review

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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Robson C

Alexia e Marie decidem passar o final de semana na casa dos pais de Alexia, que moram no interior da França. Porém, um estranho homem surge e ataca a todos, levando Alexia e Marie entrarem numa luta pela sobrevivência. Mais um representa do movimento New French Extermity. Assim, a violência e o sangue correm solto. Outro ponto é que são filmes diretos e não enrolam. A tensão está sempre presente. Porém, a solução que dão no final do filme, além de ser completamente sem sentido, estraga tudo o que foi construído.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/11/25

Full Review

Todd F

Disturbing, demented, gory and one of the best horror films I've seen in a while...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/21/25

Full Review

Jason H

For the first hour or so, this is a hardcore treat for horror fans. Sadly, it's all flushed down the toilet with a twist that is unnecessary, offensive, and illogical.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

Full Review

steven d

Good. Brutal. Twisted.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

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Alexandre Aja

Director

Cécile de France

Marie

Maïwenn

Alex

Philippe Nahon

Le tueur

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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: French (France)
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)

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