20 Horror Movies From The 21st Century That Didn't Actually Suck

18. Switchblade Romance/Haute Tension (2003)

If you're looking for an old school, down and dirty violent horror film, there's probably none better on this list that Alexander Aja's Haute Tension. Clearly a horror fan, Aja took some stock ideas (the old house, the unstoppable killing machine, the plucky heroine) and turned them all on their head in what has become a classic of the genre.

Female friends Marie and Alex are going to the farm house owned by the latter's parents to study for some upcoming exams. Just as they are going to sleep there is a knock at the door. Quite innocently, Alex's father answers it and is promptly slashed in the face by a boiler-suited serial killer who proceeds to jam his victim's head through the staircase rails and decapitates him by pushing a sideboard towards him.

From there, the film is an unrelenting chase as the almost faceless monster chases down the two girls as they make their escape first from the house and then further afield. Finally, the killer catches up with them and then...well, although not all of it makes sense, there is a twist played out which changes everything. Effects such as the one described above seemed particularly old school because not only did the camera not flinch but they were also created by Lucio Fulci's old cohort Giannetto De Rossi and you can tell. No CGI here.

Also, the cast are terrific whether it's Cecile de France's increasingly deranged heroine or Philippe Nahon's unstoppable killing machine. Aja would move to Hollywood and make some fun and/or crazy horrors but nothing so far has topped this. A bloody rollercoaster ride of high tension.