Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		2.5

Martyrs Blu-ray Movie Review

An uninspired remake that's saved by the carryover core story details.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman January 29, 2016

Martyrs is a quick-turnaround remake of the 2008 French film of the same name that dazzled and disturbed audiences alike with its organic depiction of torture and complicated philosophical overtones. The American remake, directed by the tandem of Kevin and Michael Goetz (Scenic Route), transforms the movie, particularly in its second half, but leaves intact the basic idea of human torture as an avenue to an understanding of something beyond the realm of accepted comprehension. Though this film reduces the visual violence and lessens the shared feelings of physical agony between audience and in-film victims, it does its best to maintain, and perhaps, in its own way, more succinctly explore, the ideas behind the brutality and the justification of hellish torture on innocent victims.

Tortured.

Lucie (Troian Bellisario) enters a house and murders four people: a father, a mother, and two teenage children. She believes they played a key role in her childhood torture, from which she escaped. She spent the rest of her youth terrified of her past and the monsters that hunted her while living in an orphanage. Her only comfort came in her best friend, Anna. After the killing, Lucie calls Anna (Bailey Noble) to share in the moment of her purging. But Anna is appalled, believing her friend was only on a scouting mission, not a killing mission. Nevertheless she helps Lucie clean up and quickly learns a secret that could change Lucie's destiny. Yet the unthinkable happens when the dead family's partners in crime arrive, led by the enigmatic Eleanor (Kate Burton); explain the purpose for their torture; and subject both girls to unspeakable pains and a fate worse -- or perhaps better -- than death.

Torture justified. Pain for a higher purpose. A lifetime of suffering for a moment of clarity. These are the basic themes behind Martyrs, a movie that aims to put not just a face on, but an idea behind, those who carry out unspeakable acts of violence. It's essentially Hostel with a more substantial purpose, a movie in which human pain is believed to be a gateway to something heretofore unseen and unexplained but central to the human condition and pivotal in the journey of life to death. The movie transitions from unexplained pain to further suffering and then from an explanation of what's happening to unmistakable religious symbolism that leaves everything open to audience interpretation. In that way, it's refreshing to find a Horror movie that attempts to put meaning behind the violence, something the Saw franchise admirably explored and, for a time, found success with. But that franchise ultimately become overwhelmed with the notion of topping its own previous films with more intensely violent acts of suffering and grisly gore. Martyrs asks some pointed questions while showcasing its own grisly wares and portraying some vile people, but there's at least a point, albeit a fascinatingly twisted point, to all of it.

Audiences familiar with the original will likely find the movie superfluous at best and a disastrous interpretation of Pascal Laugier's acclaimed but uneasy work at worst. Newcomers to the movie's central concept may find the reasoning behind its madness appetizing in its broadest philosophical and metaphysical contexts. New viewers will also find a movie that's violent but severely limited in its depiction of physical brutality and emotional suffering, at least when compared to the seriously unsettling original; viewers who have only seen this film may want to carefully consider whether they should watch the much harsher and boundary-pushing original. The American version not only lessens the violence and changes some key plot points -- particularly in the second half -- but it fails to capture the imagination in quite the same way. It often feels too force-fed and less organically evolving. Characters see a less deeply substantive and personal connection, with the cast seemingly more concerned with capably conveying the surface pain than believably exploring the longtime emotional suffering. Bailey Noble, for example, is wonderful in broadcasting the agony of the moment, but the film feels otherwise empty, even as it approaches, and works through, its illustrative yet interpretable ending.

Martyrs Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Martyrs, sourced from a digital shoot, presents nicely on Blu-ray. Sharpness comes easily and definition is constant. Details are presented with attractive and effortless complexity, whether the darker, cooler underground torture chamber, the well appointed family home interior above, or the wide-open country outside. Facial and clothing details are impressively tangible, particularly a young Lucie's freckles. The early orphanage segments favor a heavy amber filtering and torture chamber scenes are substantially cooler. The transfer finds a more organic middle ground in its middle act. Black levels are impressively deep and pure, and flesh tones raise no alarms. Mild banding creeps across some backgrounds, as does scant noise, but this is otherwise a clean and healthy transfer from Anchor Bay.

Martyrs Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Martyrs features a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Music is the unequivocal highlight. It's airy yet forebodingly deep and eerie to start the movie, spread throughout the stage and defined by its well integrated bass, setting a frightening tone for the rest of the movie. An early film scream is piercing, enough so to send a shiver down the spine. Heavy bass fills the stage when large piles of dirt are pushed in one shot. Gooey sounds of gore and torture are nicely presented. Light atmospheric effects help better define the film's environments. The only disappointing element comes by way of gunfire. Shotgun blasts are not particularly robust, and neither are a few handgun shots. Dialogue is presented with firm center placement and consistent prioritization.

Martyrs Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Martyrs contains only one supplement. 'Martyrs:' A First Look (1080p, 8:22) explores the film's story and themes, the film's physical challenges, shooting locations, and the cast's dedication.

Martyrs Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Martyrs is in many ways the same film as its predecessor, but the Goetz Brothers' remake is, at the same time, substantially different. The toned-down violence, in this case, lessens the impact of, and purpose behind, it. The movie further rearranges many of the broader plot details to the point that it's identifiably unique while maintaining a core similarity and, indeed, many instances where this version is practically shot-for-shot identical to the original. This film is also far less emotionally gripping and darkly understandable. While it tells much the same story, the original does so with much more depth and detailed character analysis on both sides of the torture, and better performances. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of Martyrs features solid video and audio. Only one supplement is included. Rent it and carefully consider seeing the original first, or instead.