Calvaire

"Calvary" is not a film that necessarily wants to stand out with explicit depictions of violence, but it succeeds in accumulating scenes that are truly horrific, chilling, and terrifying. Once again, it is shown that to create a good horror, all you need is a person and their desire/need/urge to hurt others. That's simply enough. And when combined with filmmaking skills, it results in something truly unsettling. This is a modern portrayal of the journey to Calvary. Except there is no cross in the front of the procession, and Jesus is replaced by an ordinary person. Could this be a slight dig at the foundation of the Christian faith? Is it all about hurting individuals and then trying to justify it with redemption? (02/01/2014)

A very pleasant surprise, Calvaire is among the best in modern exploitation. Instead of relying on excessive brutality and bloodiness, it follows a more psychological path, i.e. it feels pretty believable and realistic, which doesn’t add to your comfort. The gang of yokels is portrayed in an exceptionally disgusting way, there are very few films that are more effective at this (Storm Warning). The only thing missing for a full score is a more likeable hero, someone easier to relate to and feel sorry for. Thanks a lot Belgium (France and Luxembourg) for this film, which would never have a chance of being made in the USA. (29/08/2008)