Kelly Reilly
Genre:  Horror (obviously)
Certificate: 18 "Contains Strong Bloody Violence and Prolonged Terrorisation" Blimey!

Holy shit balls this film is rough.  This is one of the most well made horror films I have seen in a long time.  I am not a massive fan of horror usually, but this film pisses all over Hostel and the dire Cabin Fever.
The premise itself is classic horror - a couple go visit an idyllic lake setting for a romantic weekend.  It starts slow, though it is still gripping, giving just enough clues to those used to the genre as to what is at stake and the restrictions of each character.  Then, after half an hour, the tension rises and does not stop until the bitter, bitter end.

But this is not just a violent chase movie.  This has strong emotional content too - this is not a film for the weak hearted.  The film leaves you with a profound sense of sadness similar to reading a true story of a tragic event in the newspapers would.  You think about it a long time afterwards.

Others have also spoken about the films sociological observations, that it highlights class divisions and prejudices.  This may be true to some, but I think this is only present as there is obvious inspiration from the American "red-neck" horror films such as the Chainsaw Massacre or Deliverance.  The equivalent in Britain (sorry, forgot to mention, it's a British film) is I suppose... Chavs!  The plague of the middle class!

This film is violent and can be upsetting.  It's tension I felt was pretty relentless.  But the violence, although unpleasant does not come anywhere near the wanton gratuity of the modern day gore-fests - horror in this film is not derived from the violence and pain itself (as it is in Saw and Hostel), but from the manner in which it is inflicted.  It has more in common with the violence depicted on Youtube videos of kids fighting - except here it is in full colour and with DVD clarity.

It feels very real, very close to home and very very scary.

8/10