Who would have thought that the savior of the slasher sub-genre would be coming out of France? I don't remember the last time I saw a French horror film unless you want to count Irreversible. Switchblade Romance is the single most exciting slasher film to come out in a very long time.

The premise consists of a woman named Marie who accompanies her friend, Alex to her family's isolated house somewhere in the countryside. But by nightfall, Alex and the family are terrorized by a mysterious delivery man. This unforgettable nightmare begins and never lets the viewer go right up to the final frame.

Switchblade Romance is a hardcore slasher flick. It's uncomproming and unrelenting. The film goes where no modern American horror film dares to go. It's never once politically correct, and it's proud of it. The film falls under the traditions of such classics like Maniac and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It's refreshing to see violence get under an audience's skin in the way that Switchblade Romance does with no difficulty. Make no mistake, this film is very violent. It is not for the faint of heart. I haven't seen a film in recent memory with the power to shock and disturb like this. Gore fans will be happy to know that this film is bloody as hell, and the violence is quite inventive and refreshingly vicious. If you thought that the outcome from the opening death in Jeepers Creepers 2 bothered you than you haven't seen anything yet.

Another rare bonus is how smart and methodical the protagonist actually is. Just when you think you know where it's going to go, the killer comes up with a clever trick up his sleeve. Actor Philippe Nahon delivers the most memorable murderer performance in years. He is sadistic but adds some great nuances that make him unique from the rest. The heroines played by Cécile de France and Maïwenn are also very impressive. They are not like your average one-dimensional horror victim. These ladies contain a surprising amount of depth. Overall, all the performances feel believable.

The film also contains the most brilliant score I've heard in a long time. It is in the tradition of the 70's horror classics with a touch of Goblin from Argento's work. The sound effects and music are combined to create a very intense and creepy experience. The look of the film has a stylish but raw 70's feel, with the camera work being terrific at all times.

Director Alexandre Aja's first entry into the genre is a highly accomplished piece of work. Right from the film's commanding opening title sequence, you know you're in the hands of a master. Aja handles the suspense with remarkable confidence but at the same time he never lets up the film's locomotive pace. Every set piece raises the bar another notch. They are intelligently mounted and the way that the atmosphere is created is delivered with a great amount of detail. The horror genre's use of a buzz saw will never be the same again. You'll see.

At a time when American horror cinema is nothing more than forgettable, safe entertainment, Switchblade Romance re-energizes the genre. It takes the viewer back to a time where it wasn't about special effects, easy answers, or PG-13 ratings. Alexandre Aja has given us the most visceral, primal and brutal piece of cinema in ages. It will keep you on the edge of your seat from its start right up to its shocking revelation. Hopefully North American audiences will get the chance to witness it first hand instead of yet another watered down Hollywood remake.