X
  • 2006
  • Not Rated
  • Palm Pictures
  • 1 h 28 m
  • 2006
  • Not Rated
  • Palm Pictures
  • 1 h 28 m

Summary In this atmospheric mixture of horror and surreal comedy, Marc Stevens (Lucas) is a traveling singer. After an oddly rousing performance at a nursing home, he drives his van into the woods, towards his next gig. Pouring rain stops his car, a wandering local directs him to an inn, and from here Marc’s ordeal truly begins. (Cinema Village...

Directed By: Fabrice du Welz

Written By: Romain Protat, Fabrice du Welz

  • 2006
  • Not Rated
  • Palm Pictures
  • 1 h 28 m
  • 2006
  • Not Rated
  • Palm Pictures
  • 1 h 28 m

The Ordeal

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 12 Critic Reviews
52
User Score Mixed or Average Based on 9 User Ratings
5.3
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary In this atmospheric mixture of horror and surreal comedy, Marc Stevens (Lucas) is a traveling singer. After an oddly rousing performance at a nursing home, he drives his van into the woods, towards his next gig. Pouring rain stops his car, a wandering local directs him to an inn, and from here Marc’s ordeal truly begins. (Cinema Village...

Directed By: Fabrice du Welz

Written By: Romain Protat, Fabrice du Welz

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 12 Critic Reviews
52
33% Positive
4 Reviews
50% Mixed
6 Reviews
17% Negative
2 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 12 Critic Reviews
52
33% Positive
4 Reviews
50% Mixed
6 Reviews
17% Negative
2 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
80
It's an intensely crafted and genuinely memorable horror film from a striking new talent.
By Andrew O'Hehir FULL REVIEW
75
Director-co-writer Fabrice du Welz has taken a clichéd premise and infused it with a stylish perversity that should have horror fans squealing with delight.
By V.A. Musetto FULL REVIEW
60
This French variation on the backwoods horror movie proves that even a little thematic complexity in the early scenes can yield a substantial payoff when things get going.
By J.R. Jones FULL REVIEW
60
Calvaire is pompous, but not without talent or shivers.
By Manohla Dargis FULL REVIEW
60
A black comedy with flashes of genius, but let down by a sharp slide into chaos.
By Damon Wise FULL REVIEW
50
An odd blend of recycled American exploitation movie tropes and snarky Euro-art film attitude.
By Maitland McDonagh FULL REVIEW
30
The movie hardly has enough beef on its bones to make a meal. The very notion that movies about torture are considered "horror," and are more profitable now per foot of celluloid than any other type of independent film, is what's qualmy.
By Michael Atkinson FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Mixed or Average Based on 9 User Ratings
5.3
33% Positive
3 Ratings
33% Mixed
3 Ratings
33% Negative
3 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Mixed or Average Based on 9 User Ratings
5.3
33% Positive
3 Ratings
33% Mixed
3 Ratings
33% Negative
3 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company La Parti Productions, Tarantula, StudioCanal, The Film, Backup Media, Centre du Cinéma et de l'Audiovisuel de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Final Cut, Fonds National de Soutien à la Production Audiovisuelle du Luxembourg, Télédistributeurs Wallons
Release Date Aug 11, 2006
Duration 1 h 28 m
Rating Not Rated
Genres
Tagline Some people would kill for company.
View All Details

Awards

Gérardmer Film Festival
• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations
Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Joseph Plateau Awards
• 1 Nomination

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