Switchblade Romance

Play trailer

Switchblade Romance

R

2005

1h 29m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

41%

Tomatometer

130 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A beautiful young Frenchwoman, Alex (Maïwenn Le Besco), travels out to the country to visit her family and brings along her friend Marie (Cécile de France). Soon after they get settled in the secluded home, Alex's parents are brutally attacked by a psychotic truck driver (Philippe Nahon), who proceeds to stalk the two women as well. When the killer kidnaps Alex in his truck, Marie hides in the back to try and rescue her, but the bloodshed is far from over.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

There is indeed a good amount of tension in this French slasher, but the dubbing is bad and the end twist unbelievable.

Read Critics Reviews

Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Dec 13, 2005

1/4

Not only is it an assault on the senses, the film is so narcissistically nihilistic the only ones sure to get a kick out of it are members of the Manson Family fan club.

Go to Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Jun 14, 2005

C

The ultimate rescue, however, comes when the credits roll and the lights come up.

Go to Full Review

Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

Jun 13, 2005

An extremely well-made, very grisly and ultimately dishonest slasher film that's too clever for its own good.

Go to Full Review

Brian Bisesi

Horror Movie Club Podcast

Aug 14, 2024

2/5

For most viewers, the success of High Tension will hinge upon the third act’s bold reveal. For me, the frustration of that reveal nearly erases any of the movie’s shallow merits.

Go to Full Review

Paul Lê

Bloody Disgusting

Jul 21, 2023

4/5

It completely unsettles the viewer like anything else to come out of the New French Extremity. The only difference is High Tension achieves its goal in the most unexpected way.

Go to Full Review

Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

Nov 19, 2019

B

A very effective French horror film that takes a simplistic premise and milks it for every ounce of suspense possible.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

B P

@Bradster69 Sep 3, 2026

Not Bad, but Not My Favorite

See more

Steven F.

@SteveGotScored Mar 18, 2026

A vicious horror movie I’ll never forget!

See more

Robson C

@RT82519826 Oct 11, 2025

Alexia e Marie decidem passar o final de semana na casa dos pais de Alexia, que moram no interior da França. Porém, um estranho homem surge e ataca a todos, levando Alexia e Marie entrarem numa luta pela sobrevivência. Mais um representa do movimento New French Extermity. Assim, a violência e o sangue correm solto. Outro ponto é que são filmes diretos e não enrolam. A tensão está sempre presente. Porém, a solução que dão no final do filme, além de ser completamente sem sentido, estraga tudo o que foi construído.

See more

Todd F

@Tiddlows Jul 21, 2025

Disturbing, demented, gory and one of the best horror films I've seen in a while...

See more

Jason H

@RT50328122 Jul 19, 2025

For the first hour or so, this is a hardcore treat for horror fans. Sadly, it's all flushed down the toilet with a twist that is unnecessary, offensive, and illogical.

See more

steven d

@RT14695316 Jul 13, 2025

Good. Brutal. Twisted.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Alexandre Aja

Director

Cécile de France

Marie

Maïwenn

Alex

Philippe Nahon

Le tueur

Franck Khalfoun

Jimmy

Andrei Finti

Le père d'Alex

Gothika

15%

45%

Gothika

Watchlist

Identity

64%

75%

Identity

Watchlist

Mimic 3: Sentinel

60%

16%

Mimic 3: Sentinel

Watchlist

All the Boys Love Mandy Lane

47%

31%

All the Boys Love Mandy Lane

Watchlist

Jeepers Creepers 2

25%

38%

Jeepers Creepers 2

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Exclusive: Alexandre Aja talks Mirrors and Piranha 3D

Trailer Exclusive: Parking Lot Thrills, Chills in P2

New "Saw III" Poster, Made With Real Jigsaw Blood, Can Be Your Very Own Gross Movie Memorabilia

View more photos

Synopsis

A beautiful young Frenchwoman, Alex (Maïwenn Le Besco), travels out to the country to visit her family and brings along her friend Marie (Cécile de France). Soon after they get settled in the secluded home, Alex's parents are brutally attacked by a psychotic truck driver (Philippe Nahon), who proceeds to stalk the two women as well. When the killer kidnaps Alex in his truck, Marie hides in the back to try and rescue her, but the bloodshed is far from over.

Director: Alexandre Aja
Producer: Robert Benmussa, Alexandre Arcady, Luc Besson
Screenwriter: Grégory Levasseur, Alexandre Aja
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: EuropaCorp, Alexandre Films
Rating: R (Language|Graphic Bloody Killings|Sexual Content|Terror)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 22, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.6M
Runtime: 1h 29m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings