10 Amazing Horror Movies That Almost Never Got Made
9. Martyrs (2008)
When thinking of French culture, many are drawn to the country's contributions to classical art, music, drama, and dance - most of which are characterised by a sense of beauty, opulence, and prestige. But, talk to a horror fan, and they'll spin you a different yarn, one of extreme violence, crushing psychological horror, bleak sadism, and more, thanks to movies like Martyrs.
If you've seen this gnarly-as-hell New French Extremity film, then you'll know it's no easy watch. Even the biggest horror fans who can sit through hours of Michael Myers brutalising teens will feel queasy with this film's intense levels of torture and mutilation, so it's no surprise it nearly didn't happen.
According to the film's director, Pascal Laugier (as discussed in an interview with Crave Online), the film was "rejected by all the big French studios." On top of that, it even struggled to find its lead actor, as Laugier claimed "a lot of actresses" turned it down.
Horror aficionados would have lost out on an all-time gory classic if it weren't for the French TV Channel Canal+, the only company willing to support the project.