Here are some of my favorite French horror films if you fancy some craziness to watch, and some aren't for the faint of heart, either.
Inside (À l'intérieur)
The premise of Inside is simple yet quite terrifying as we witness a mysterious woman breaking into a pregnant woman's apartment with the intention of removing her unborn baby using a pair of sharp scissors.
The entire film takes place over the course of just a few hours, but it is a masterclass in building tension and suspense.
Despite knowing what's coming, you are kept very much on edge with what is happening as you witness every excruciating moment of the protagonist's trauma.
The film is not shot in slow-motion, but it often feels that way as we endure the one on one battle between the two women.
The emotionally exhausting and gruesome ending is both disturbing yet strangely satisfying. [Inside on IMDB] [Where To Watch Inside]
Frontier(s) (Frontière(s))
This film is an absolute must watch, despite its brutal and unnerving nature.
The best way I can describe this would be if you combine the best elements of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Hostel and The Hills Have Eyes, you still won't come close to the sheer terror and entertainment value of Frontier(s).
I won't give away too much, but the synopsis should peak your interest....Or not, who knows.
A gang of young criminals flee Paris in a bid for freedom, only to find themselves ensnared by a family of Nazi cannibals intent on breeding a new Aryan master race.
If you have never seen it, do yourself a favor and go and watch it, by any legal means necessary...[Frontier(s) on IMDB) [Where to Watch Frontiers]
High Tension (Haute Tension)
High Tension is almost on par with the above, and is again a must see.
It follows the story of Marie and her best friend Alex as they embark on a journey to Alex's parent's house in the French countryside.
The film introduces us to the two characters in Alex's car, creating a false sense of security that this is just a simple tale of two college girls studying hard.
But, their peaceful trip is abruptly interrupted by the arrival of a sadistic serial killer. [High Tension on IMDB] [Where To Watch High Tension]
Mutants
Mutants is a film that captures the same essence as 28 Days Later, with a story line that bears striking similarities, so much so, it is often called a bit of a rip off, but anyway....
The film poses a question of what do you do when someone you love is bitten by a zombie and you know they will turn?
In the movie, the protagonist chains their infected loved one in an abandoned hospital, hoping for a military evacuation before it's too late.
Mutants proves that a genre doesn't need to be reinvented to create a good film, even if it is a bit simple and doesn't match up to some of the best zombie films, but I still found a lot to like. [Mutants on IMDB] [Where To Watch Mutants]
Them (lls)
Them is a fantastic movie with a deceptively simple plot.
It follows a couple living in a secluded home in the woods who are terrorized by an unknown entity lurking in the darkness.
Based on true events, the film's straightforwardness makes it difficult to discuss without giving away the entire story, with its unique take on the Cabin-in-the-Woods subgenre of horror, the movie is a nonstop thrill ride.
Despite its short runtime of only 78 minutes, the tension you feel while watching and experiencing it makes it feel much longer.
One of the directors of the film David Moreau, released MadS in 2024, which is also really good., and could probably replace Mutants on this list at some point when I can be bothered to update it. [Them on IMDB] [Where To Watch Them]
Eyes Without A Face (Les Yeux sans visage)
A film ahead of its time and one I still find incredibly creepy, and a film that has inspired many future horror movies that came after.
The story follows a plastic surgeon, who becomes obsessed with repairing his daughter disfigured face, which was scarred in a car accident he caused, but as his attempts repeatedly fail, his determination leads him to increasingly desperate and catastrophic actions, blending horror with deep tragedy.
The film was released in 1960, and like a lot of horror type films in that era, it may seem tame in comparison to what modern audiences want and expect, but it is a film I still appreciate and enjoy a lot, that is both haunting and disturbing with a fantastic atmosphere. [Eyes Without a Face on IMDB] [Where To Watch Eyes Without a Face]
Martyrs
Martyrs is a movie that is not for the faint of heart.
Director Pascal Laugier's warning to viewers in the unrated DVD intro is either a marketing ploy or a sign of his own self-doubt, as the film is a brilliant and uncompromising vision with incredible depth.
It is brutal, disturbed, and horrifying to the extreme, but it also has three distinct acts, each with its own climax and revelations.
One of the most unique and unsettling horror villains in recent memory is introduced in the form of an elderly, well-dressed woman known only as Mademoiselle.
This film will leave an impact on anyone who watches it. [Martyrs on IMDB] [Where To Watch Martyrs]
Lets have an honorable mention for Infested as well, which I found very gritty and enjoyed a lot, especially for a creature feature horror film.
What's your favorite French horror movie?
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