Watch Martyrs

Martyrs, released in 2015, is a remake of the French film Martyrs released in 2008. The psychological horror movie is directed by Kevin and Michael Goetz and features Troian Bellisario, Bailey Noble, and Kate Burton in lead roles. The movie follows the story of two young girls Lucie and Anna who are haunted by terrifying visions of a woman who was brutally tortured as a child.

The movie begins with Lucie who is portrayed as an abuse victim. She escapes from her captivity and is taken in by a nearby orphanage where she meets Anna. Years later, the two girls are living together when Lucie's traumatic past catches up with her, and she goes on a mission to avenge the people who abused her as a child. She believes that she has found one of her abusers and takes matters into her own hands. However, things take a turn for the worse, and Lucie is attacked, leading her to believe that there is a bigger conspiracy at play.

Anna discovers that Lucie's attacker may have belonged to a cult that indulges in extreme tortures to reach a state of pure transcendence. Intrigued, Anna decides to investigate further, leading her to an abandoned slaughterhouse where she uncovers a hidden secret. As she delves deeper into the mystery surrounding the cult, she becomes the test subject for their extreme experiments. Anna is put through a series of horrific tortures that leave her physically and mentally scarred.

Martyrs is not your typical horror movie that relies on jump scares and clichés. The movie delivers a raw and brutal experience that highlights the human psyche's depths while also talking about the human condition. It has a thought-provoking, philosophical aspect that raises meaningful questions about human existence and emotional pain.

Troian Bellisario and Bailey Noble's performances are commendable. Bellisario impressively portrays Lucie's emotions and inner turmoil, while Noble's performance portrays Anna's resolve and strength in the face of adversity. Kate Burton's portrayal of a cult leader is genuinely eerie, with a calmness that makes her character even more terrifying.

The movie has excellent cinematography, which does justice to its themes. The use of dark colors and shadows adds to the movie's overall creepy and disturbing vibe. The set design is impressive, especially the abandoned slaughterhouse where most of the movie is set. It's unforgiving, and the walls look ghastly thanks to the flickering fluorescent lighting.

The movie's pacing is slow but, in the end, is worth the wait. The build-up takes time, and the movie leaves the audience on edge, anticipating what's next. The climax of the movie is dark, realistic, and sends chills down your spine. It's a thrill ride that is not for the faint of heart.

However, the movie's extreme violence and gore may not sit well with everyone. The scenes of torture are intense, and some may find them hard to stomach. The movie's overall tone is bleak, making it a difficult watch for those looking for light entertainment.

In conclusion, Martyrs is an excellent addition to the psychological horror genre. The movie's direction, performances, cinematography, and suspenseful plot combine to deliver a captivating and visceral experience. It is a hard-hitting horror movie that explores profound and unsettling themes. The movie is not for everyone, but fans of horror movies will appreciate the movie's raw and uncompromising nature.

Martyrs is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.0 and a MetaScore of 22.