Haute Tension (2003)

A young student's weekend getaway at a secluded farmhouse turns into a nightmare when a murderer breaks in.

Original title

Haute tension

First release year

2003

Runtime (minutes)

95

Production countries

France

Original languages

French

Directors

Alexandre Aja

Writers

Alexandre Aja · writer; Grégory Levasseur · writer

Cast and characters

Cécile de France · Marie; Maïwenn · Alexia Soral; Philippe Nahon · The Killer; Andrei Finti · Daniel Soral, Alex's father; Oana Pellea · Mrs. Soral, Alex's mother; Franck Khalfoun · Jimmy; Marco Claudiu Pascu · Tom Soral, Alex's little brother

Genres

slasher; horror

Themes

obsession; psychopathy; violence

Tone and mood

tense; gory; sinister

Premise and plot tags

home invasion; unreliable narrator; female psychopath

Content notes

gore

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its intelligence and atmosphere while others criticized its plot holes and derivative nature. It was noted for its association with the New Extremity movement.

Reported review scores

Metacritic · score: 42 · scale: 100 · review count: 30

Awards and nominations

Best Director · Sitges Film Festival · 2003 · win; Best Actress · Sitges Film Festival · 2003 · win; Best Makeup · Sitges Film Festival · 2003 · win; Best Feature Film · Méliès d'Argent · 2003 · win

Production trivia

The film was the first UK release to use the original title 'High Tension' in 2024.

Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.

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