Irreversible is one of the most famous New French Extremity films. It has a non-linear plot which features 13 reverse chronological sequences. To avoid confusion, I will relate them here in chronological order: Marcus and Alex are lounging in bed. She tells him she might be pregnant and he is chuffed. They make arrangements to go to a party that night and Alex does a pregnancy test that confirms that she is indeed in the club. Flash forward to the evening. Marcus is using drugs, boozing and flirting with other women. Disgusted by his uncouth behaviour, Alex leaves the party. Upon walking to get a train, she comes across a man (le Tenia - or the Tape Worm) abusing Concha, a transgender prostitute. Le Tenia foists his attentions upon Alex in a horrible protracted rape and humiliation scene. In a while Marcus and his friend Pierre leave the party and come across a woman being stretchered away. Marcus realises that it is Alex. This leads to Marcus doing business with two street tramps in order to get a hold of Le Tenia and give him a taste of his own medicine. Alex and Pierre end up in a dodgy gay sex club called "The Rectum". A man ends up having his head bashed in by a fire extinguisher and we get to find out what happened to the Butcher in Seul Contre Tous. An almost unwatchable film, not just due to the disgusting violence, but also the tone and look of the movie (the scenes inside The Rectum are claustrophobic and revolting), Noe has created a toxic masterpiece. To act the parts in this film - the performers must have given a piece of their souls. The acting is all too believable. If, like me, you enjoy confrontational cinema, you will be very satisfied by watching Irreversible. It's a horrible experience but you know that you are watching directorial genius and a cast who are acting their socks off.