[Editorial] Where to Start with French Horror: 6 Recommendations

Now that Shudder is streaming a selection of brutal and bloody French horrors, there’s no better time to get stuck into the world of Gallic ghosts and gore. After all, few countries can boast their own subgenre of horror, and even fewer can claim an offshoot of horror so shocking and violent that screenings of such have had audiences vomiting, crying and passing out.

If you’re ready to expand your repertoire then read on for the crème de la crème of Franco frights.

If you’re into psychological horror…

1. In My Skin (2002)

Marina de Van’s eye-wateringly realistic depiction of self-mutilation follows Esther (de Van), a woman spiraling down the dull and dizzying depths of dissociation. After cutting her leg at a party and not realizing it, Esther begins to question just exactly what she can feel. While there’s no shortage of flesh eating in French cinema, In My Skin is one portrayal that will have you thinking twice before biting off that hangnail.

If you’re into vampires

2. Lèvres de Sang (1975)

When it comes to French vampires, Jean Rollin is generally considered to be the auteur of the genre with a whopping twenty vampire flicks under his belt (and that’s only the ones using his name, as Rollin often directed under a pseudonym). Of his many, many films, Lèvres de Sang is an ideal starting point, a windswept, chiffon-draped tale that captures the erotic, Gothic and dreamy splendor so synonymous with vamps and their lore.

If you’re into being depressed…

3. I Stand Alone (1996)

No list of French horror would be complete without the agonizingly bleak works of Gaspar Noé. From Irreversible to Climax, Noe has a knack for capturing the most god-awful human experiences and committing them to screen with a bravery and fearlessness rarely seen in modern film. I Stand Alone is the tale of one man’s rage at a world that he perceives as having abandoned him. Noé is kind enough to give you a 30 second warning before the film reaches a horrific climax, but for those of you who stick through this relentless, brutal dive into masculine fury, you’ll probably be crying for a Xanax and a lie down after the credits roll.

---

HAVE YOU LISTENED TO OUR PODCAST YET?

---

If you’re into gore

Inside (2007)

Ok ok, most people would surely say Martyrs deserves to take the crown in this subcategory but I don’t think Pascal Laugier’s skinned-and-suffering beast of a movie needs any more assistance in its infamy. But Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo’s À’lintérieur is arguably just as ruthless in its depictions of bloody suffering. It’s the ultimate home invasion movie and quintessential French Extremity – horrifying, bleak, gory, unforgiving, unrelenting and almost unwatchable. Great for Friday film nights.

If You’re into Horror Comedy

Delicatessen (1991)

Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro’s Delicatessen is an absolutely bonkers tale of post-apocalyptic butchery, lighter on the horror but heavy on the surrealism. A hugely enjoyable freakshow and a masterpiece of arthouse tomfoolery, thanks to some truly stunning cinematography and a leading cast of misfit oddballs.  

If you’re into classics

Les Diaboliques (1955)

Often described as the most Hitchcock film that Hitchcock never made, Les Diaboliques is maybe one of the first movies to come with an anti-spoiler message – and for good reason. Going in blind to Henri-George Clouzot’s psychological thriller is absolutely essential and it’s a blessing that most people respect the statute of spoiler limitations on this one.

Honorable Mentions

Les Affamés (2017)

Robin Aubert’s Quebecois zombies are less your typical ‘brain-eating bruisers’ of Dawn of the Dead and more ‘are they or aren’t they’ creatures seen in The Girl with All the Gifts. For anyone tired of the zombie genre, Les Affamés will refresh your spirit with spectacularly emotive performances and the rare feat of a non-annoying child. 

Fantasy (2011)

This 4 minute music video is one of the closest things we have to a true representation of Lovecraftian horror thanks to the limitless nature of animation. The ethereal pop track Fantasy from French electronic musician DyE directed by Jeremie Perin follows a group of teens who break into a swimming pool after dark for a night of fumbling and booze. The last thing they expect is to be subject to Eldritch horrors beyond the capacity of human comprehension. 

Calvaire (2004)

Belgian director Fabrice du Wels is known for his transgressive tales of social ills, starting with 2004’s Calvaire, known in English as The Ordeal. To describe protagonist Marc’s journey into the hick-riddled backwoods of Belgium as an ordeal would be an understatement in this brutal black comedy exploring the depths of male loneliness and a deformed desire for love.

So next time you’re perusing the streaming sites for something to watch, bid adieu to déjà vu and try something new from this list. Let us Ghouls know what French frights are your favourites!

RELATED ARTICLES

---

---

EXPLORE

---

MORE ARTICLES

---

---