As INSIDE and the LET THE RIGHT ONE IN have gotten their own threads, I believe this one deserves the same. Watched it a couple of hours ago and I'm still tripping/recovering from it. This is definitely WAY beyond your usual genre fare, it actually transcends "horror" itself in my eyes. More in the vein of IRREVERSIBLE than INSIDE, horrifying, unbelievably sad and poetic. Surely one of the most intelligent, impressive & important "horror"-films I have seen in my entire life.
Martyrs is one of the best horror films in the last five years. Up there with Inside, [rec], Let the Right One In, etc. I agree 100% with you in the comparisons to Inside and Irreversible. Bleak, depressing, horrifying and will stay with you for days after the film ends.
I 'think' the US gets it first on DVD in late Feb/early March then it released shortly after in UK/France. I was curious how Bunny saw it too because I haven't even heard of a torrent available for it. It's a day one Blu-ray buy for me when it comes out.
As far as I know it was supposed to be released in Germany in late Nov. but got canceled/delayed - I think Aladdin is right, the Dimension DVD should be the first one. I was lucky to get a screener copy from a friend of mine who was supposed to work with Laugier on a documentary episode for Franco-German TV station ARTE. And in case you haven't heard yet: There's talks of a REMAKE.
Finally got around to watching this. INSANE!!! One of the best horror films that I've seen in some time. Be warned this film is not for everyone (very graphic).
Watched this yesterday and liked it alot. The gore effects in this movie just plain ruled. America needs to take some tips from the French. Hopefully France continues to produce some more horror gems like this.
had it in hands last week when checking through cheap preowned dvd´s @ videoworld and was pissed i didnt find anything. ...will go back later today to see they still have it.