Inside (2007)

Synopsis: Inside (À l’intérieur in the original French) is a 2007 import that should prove to Americans that the French have some real balls. Sarah is pregnant when she gets in a car crash that kills the father of her baby. After Sarah lays him to rest, on the night before Christmas, she finds herself stalked by a mysterious woman outside her house. Calling the police doesn’t help as they are incompetent. Soon, the mysterious woman finds a way to get inside and seems intent on killing Sarah and anyone else who comes to her aid.

Killer Scene: While there are many intense moments in Inside, the kicker is the final scene. I wouldn’t want to spoil it for anyone, so let’s just say that it is one hell of a way to end the movieult.

KillSheet

Violence: Inside was released on DVD in the U.S. by Dimension Extreme in an unrated cut, and it deserves it. Like many bloody films that have come to the states from overseas, this one pulls no punches. There’s several extremely violent deaths caused by a variety of household items – from scissors to knitting needles to hairspray. There was an R-rated cut for theatrical release which toned down the visceral moments, but the original French cut, which you gorehounds out there will love, is presented in its full glory on the DVD.

Sex: There’s no sex to enjoy in this movie, unless you consider a creepy gyno exam or Sarah running around in her preggo panties all that titillating. She’s already pregnant after all, pervs.

Scares: Inside is a excellently paced suspense movie, which is where it gets its audience initially. Anyone who has been home alone with a nice dose of paranoia will find plenty of moments to get freaked out. The gruesome nature of the picture is enough to make even the weakest stomach a bit uneasy. There’s plenty of moments where you’ll jump, but the real scary element is the “it could happen to you” concept behind the film. And anyone who is pregnant or been through a pregnancy will find Inside scary as hell.

Final Thoughts: Some folks might consider it a cheap shot to go after a pregnant girl in a horror movie, and they’re right. But some of the best horror movies around take the cheap shots. You might think that by renting a French film, you’ll get some stuffy Truffaut new wave art flick. You are so wrong about this. It’s not just the Asian market that’s cranking out some grisly films these days. Don’t rent this movie if you’ve got a weak stomach or if you’re pregnant ‘cause it will mess you up. Otherwise, horror fans should enjoy the nail-biting suspense punctuated with bloody violence.