The film opens with a young girl named Lucie (Jessie Pham as young Lucie), who appears to have escaped from an unknown captor. She is covered in blood and screaming for help. A year ago, Lucie was taken and held in a dark room where she was often tortured. Now, escaped and rescued, Lucie has been placed in a nearby orphanage. There, she meets another girl who has also suffered trauma and violence, named Anna (Erika Scott as young Anna). As their friendship grows stronger, Lucie continues to struggle with horrifying visions and engages in self-harm, while Anna promises to keep her struggles a secret. Despite police investigation of Lucie’s captivity, they have been unable to find any significant leads, and Lucie herself struggles to recall the details of her torment.
The story then shifts forward in time by fifteen years, introducing us to the Belfond family, which consists of four members. It’s a typical morning as they prepare breakfast, with the siblings engaging in playful bickering. Suddenly, there’s a knock at the door, and when it’s opened, a grown-up Lucie (Mylène Jampanoï) is on the other side, holding a shotgun. In a shocking turn of events, she brutally murders each family member one by one. Lucie believes this family is responsible for tormenting a young girl. After carrying out the horrific murders, Lucie contacts her closest friend, Anna (Morjana Alaoui), to reveal what she has just done, providing her with an address.
While Lucie remains in the house, it becomes clear that she is being haunted by mysterious visions that torment her. Fortunately, Anna soon arrives to help with the aftermath of the crime, including the cleanup. However, there is much more to this home than meets the eye, and the truth about who captured and tortured Lucie five years ago is yet to be fully uncovered. Will Lucie and Anna survive this ultimate nightmare?
Martyrs is a horror film that intertwines psychological drama with tragedy. To be straightforward, this film is not easy to watch, and I do not recommend it for the faint-hearted. The violence, abuse, and the level of gore and blood often made me feel unwell or stressed throughout its duration. For those who may not know, the film was written and directed by Pascal Laugier, who later went on to create other horror-related titles, including The Tall Man (2012) and Ghostland (2018), among others.
Martyrs is a film that has received numerous praises for its storytelling. First and foremost, the narrative is unpredictable, filled with twists and turns that make it both thrilling and intensely suspenseful. The level of violence and unexpected gore had a profound impact on me. Simply put, the film’s violence feels incredibly realistic, and the makeup work is also expertly done. Martyrs contains horrifying moments that are unlike anything seen in cinema before. For some viewers, this film may be deeply unsettling, but I appreciated that it boldly challenges its audience. The disturbing emotions I experienced while watching Martyrs were a testament to its success.
Mylène Jampanoï and Morjana Alaoui delivered outstanding performances that were compelling, raw, and heartbreaking. Martyrs is a heavy film, and due to its extreme violence, the two leads not only share great chemistry but also showcase highly commendable performances. Considering everything their characters endure, their work in the film is truly praiseworthy.
Overall, Martyrs is not for the faint of heart due to its extreme violence, which feels realistic and raw. It can be both sickening and heartbreaking to witness the events unfold. However, one cannot help but be impressed by this unpredictable journey and unique cinematic experience; it is unlike anything else in film history and will linger with you long after you’ve viewed it. With strong performances from both leads and outstanding work in areas such as practical effects, makeup, and sound design, Martyrs is undoubtedly a favourite among horror buffs. That said, if you have a weak stomach or find subjects like child abuse and torture difficult to watch, you may want to prepare yourself before pressing play. You have been warned.
Martyrs (2008) is Now Avaialble on Blu-ray thanks to Umbrella.
Published: 19th June 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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