‘High Tension’: This Horror Movie’s Ending Ruined Everything
We’ve all experienced those horror movies that start perfectly but unravel in the final act. This was recently the case with ‘In a Violent Nature.’ Viewers praised its clever premise but were let down by the last fifteen minutes. Often, it’s a bleak ending that disappoints, such as in ‘The Mist’ and ‘Eden Lake,’ where the darkness of the conclusion undermines everything preceding it. Sometimes, it’s an unexpected twist that fans dislike. M. Night Shyamalan’s early career was celebrated, but twenty years ago, many were outraged by the twist in ‘The Village.’ Around the same time, another horror film, ‘High Tension’ (2003) by Alexandre Aja, received criticism for its divisive ending.
‘High Tension’ initially garnered attention, leading Aja to direct American horror films like the reboot of ‘The Hills Have Eyes’ and ‘Crawl.’ The film starts as a terrifying slasher but falters in the third act with a twist-filled with plot holes. The slasher genre was in flux in 2003, with the ‘Scream’ era fading and audiences seeking fresh ideas. ‘High Tension’ a French film, stood out with its gritty 70s feel and smart, college-aged protagonists, Alex and Marie. The film’s opening hints at the twist, showing a battered Marie in a hospital.
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As the story unfolds, Marie and Alex head to Alex’s parents’ house in the French countryside, unaware they are being followed by a disturbing man in a van. The tension builds as they arrive at the farmhouse, and the horror begins when the man brutally murders Alex’s family. The film excels in creating suspense, but everything changes when the police review security footage and reveal that Marie is the killer, not the man. This twist undermines the entire narrative, revealing Marie’s delusions and leaving viewers frustrated.
The twist isn’t just implausible; it also sends a problematic message about homosexuality. Marie’s repressed feelings for Alex supposedly drive her to violence, suggesting that her sexuality leads to madness and murder. This harmful portrayal is offensive and detracts from the film’s quality. Roger Ebert criticized the film for its implausibility, noting significant plot holes that undermine the story.
‘High Tension’ is a compelling slasher until its last fifteen minutes. Aja’s attempt to convey a deeper message fails because it relies on a nonsensical and offensive twist. While horror films often explore complex themes, the execution here is flawed, making it hard to support a film that equates repressed sexuality with violence. The best horror movies balance scares with coherent and respectful storytelling, a balance ‘High Tension’ ultimately fails to achieve.
–Farheen Ali
