Originally slated to be one of After Dark's “8 Films to Die For” in 2008, Frontière(s) was deemed to violent for release and banded with an NC-17 rating. I thought, in this day and age, we were all desensitized enough to violence, that the NC-17 rating could probably be abolished. Apparently not, as one or two films each year are still stricken with that theatrical kiss of death. Sadly, it's often unwarranted, and while Frontière(s) is most certainly violent, an NC-17 rating seems a little excessive.

After a successful heist, a group of thieves is split, with one half taking a wounded member to the hospital, and the other taking refuge at an inn near the frontier. They plan to meet up, and split to Amsterdam, unfortunately the owners of the inn have different plans for them.

When compared to every other French release from the past few years, Frontière(s) seems quite weak by comparison. With incredibly unique and original films such as Martyrs, À l'intérieur, and even to a lesser extent Haute Tension, Frontière(s) almost seems like an afterthought in the new wave of French horror cinema. Borrowing cues from films such as Hostel, The Descent, and most notably The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Frontière(s) does nothing really to distinguish itself from the films that inspire it. It shares the same intensity as other recent French releases, but once again does nothing to really set itself apart.

The violence is really something special, though. Not in the way that it's over-elaborate or excessive, but it most certainly does pack a punch. It's impactful, and even had me cringing at one point. The movie, while seeming to be simply about the torture and violence against this group of thieves, really amps up when the tables are turned; the final 40 minutes are wall-to-wall violence of the type you won't easily forget.

I have so little to say about Frontière(s), that I am literally at a loss of words while writing this review. There is very little plot to speak of, characters that are the very definition of 2-dimensional, yet something about it is pretty good. Perhaps it's the fact that the film doesn't compromise, it shows you everything in its bloody glory. Maybe it's that the few big plot reveals border on ridiculous without quite crossing that line. Maybe it's the fact that despite the film's lack of originality, Xavier Gens has a distinct visual style that lends itself well to the film. Maybe it's all of that. Or maybe none of it. Frontière(s) has some positive points, but just as many negative. Despite what you may have heard about Frontière(s) revolutionizing the horror genre... this is not the case. It is simply average.