When it comes to making a case for the French being the most twisted horror filmmakers in Europe, theres High Tension, Frontiers, and Martyrs, but what really seals the deal is this messed-up home invasion story. Its Christmas Eve and Sarah (Alysson Paradis) is preparing to give birth to her first child when shes imprisoned in her home by a mysterious woman who kills anyone that attempts to help her. This stranger turns out to be the midwife from hell, determined to deliver the child, steal it and raise it as her own. Though it came out in the middle of the so-called torture porn wave, Inside doesnt really belong in a box with Saw, Hostel, Captivity et al, and clearly wasnt made for an audience of teenage boys. Turning their back on the lowest common denominator, directors Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury instead amp up the claustrophobia. Their forthcoming Texas Chainsaw Massacre prequel must really be something.
Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'
