Them (2006)

            It is at least a trifle ridiculous that online forums argue about character development between this French film and the 2008 American remake, The Strangers.  Neither film relies on character development, not even in part.  The closest we get to understanding the protagonist victims is through the repetition of poor decisions that leave them subject to further torture.

            The film here remains superior to the glossier English version.  The opening sequence could itself function as a taut if unmotivated horror short with no explanation and no qualms about being that way. In fact, it bears only minor connection to the tortured stars of the rest of the film, a simple intro to the savagery to come.  This is certainly where both films are on par and is thematically, the source of any and all horror.

            The unmotivated and casual terror employed by the strangers demands an explanation and remains unnerving in its absence.  We can explain very easily the vampire and werewolf and countless other monsters, supernatural or not.  We can explain serial killers and demented minds whose stories develop their abnormality as the point of fear.  And, of course, we can explain the ingenious ability of the human mind to perpetuate

the smallest of uncertainties and project them into a supposedly large-scale assault.  Yet explaining something with no obvious source, something of entertainment or boredom, is much more alarming.

            Regardless of how tackily the films include a partial explanation of the events (the original being more dramatic and cinematic), taken out of the diegitc world the concept becomes very sinister.  Thus the effect of the scare tactics in the film remains grounded in the overall context of unmotivated torture.  The suspense and creepy scenes work by themselves, providing reserved instances of shock amidst stretched moments of uncertainty.  We know something will appear, and it does, but the film saps the moments beforehand for all they are worth.

            I am not arguing that this is a great movie.  But for what it is; shot in 30 days in just a few locations with two actors reacting mostly to nothing and occasionally to other cast members, it is an effective horror film that I had to finish in the morning because the night before found me too “tired.”  And of course, even though it goes without mentioning, there is absolutely no reason that this film had to be remade by people speaking English other than making money.  Ils was good enough.