Quelle Horreur!

Asian horror movies do it well - the psychological torment - replaced by cheap scares in the Hollywood remakes. What lets a lot of those movies down are the ghosts and paranormal explanations (Ring, Grudge, The Eye). European movies are where it's at.

Although some take a monster route (werewolves, zombies), the gritty realism of them bring the scares closer to the viewer; this could be happening. It's usually the human choice and aggression that results in bad stuff happening. (Although it's neither technically a horror or European, the Canadian 'Cube' is a good example: how many of the cast die because of the traps compared to each other?) Anything from [Rec] (Spanish) to 28 Days Later (UK), they are tense and terrifying. The only movie I've ever stopped to regain composure is Suspiria, a 1970s Dario Argento Italian, which helped to define the genre with its music and use of false scares.

The only movie until now. Last night I watched a recent French film, À l'intérieur (Inside). I stopped twice, and even screamed once. The premise, about a pregnant woman living alone being tormented by a woman who wants to get inside (her house, and her belly -oooh) was fraught with peril.

This scene freaked me out - look closely and you can see why it was hide-behind-your-pillow-worthy.


It was so bloody and so bloody scary, and a modern classic.