10/10-The Loved Ones (2009)

Wow, The Loved Ones is intense.

Several scenes ended with me unexpectedly a little winded because I was forgetting to breathe, the intensity was so high.  I don't even want to go into detail, this is one you just have to see it.  As Paul Dampier (holla back Paul!) told me, "Now THIS is what I consider torture porn done right."  I'd go as far to say this isn't even that torture porny as far as most go.  Yes there is some over the top violence, but it never feels like it's just for the sake of violence.  There's even some funny moments!  Even if you are just laughing at the dementedness of it all; laughing so you don't weep inside.

As with many other horror greats, one of the most uncomfortable scenes involves a dinner.  Perhaps these scenes are so effective because family dinner is supposed to be this universal commonality among all people, a time to come together with loved ones (no pun intended).  Yet movies like this one or Texas Chainsaw Massacre remind us that even insane people sit down to eat dinner as a family, but their dinners are much more uncomfortable for us as the viewer or any guests that may be joining them, whether voluntarily or not.

Another comparison to horror classics is some kind of theme music for the villain, for example che che che ha ha ha for Jason Vorhees or ree ree ree ree for Pyscho.  This movie continues that tradition, but is able to turn a seemingly depressing teen angst song into one of pure horror.

Seriously, just listening to that link for a few seconds to verify it was the right song gave me chills.  I think when a film is able to make everything seem normal except for one glaring insanity, it can make for some seriously unnerving cinema.  I've mentioned before that realist horror can really rattle my constitution, and like Funny Games, this movie fits the bill.

Rating on the Spook-o-meter: 7 out of 10 boos