The following is one of Rabid Doll’s Top 13 horror films of all times picks. We highly recommend this flick for excellent Halloween viewing. Director Alexandre Aja's "Haute Tension" (2003) took a buzz saw to the movie industry, placing the horror genre on notice that the French had arrived.  Two college students travel to a remote farmhouse, only to fall victim to a vicious killer. That's the plot. Though one sentence sets the scene, more lurks here than you might suspect. Known in the U.S. as "High Tension" or "Switchblade Romance," the independent French film presents a simple "slasher" setup, but resists the crutch most mainstream movies cling to. Absent are the usual misfired attempts at suspense, producing flaws clumsily masked by special effects, or the appalling PG-13 rating. Those are the recipes of forgettable entertainment.  Instead, Aja executes the film with surprising grit and uncanny momentum. This is a visceral flick proudly bearing the "unrated" title. There is an unyielding 1970s vibe here reflecting the director's love of that era. Like the best fright films, "Haute Tension" acknowledges the effectiveness of well timed music cues and a score that actually generates shivers. The opening credits are a fine example of musical awareness. A rumbling electronic noise immediately sets the film's tone, repeating as a warning to audiences that they've ventured beyond the safety line of Hollywood's usual rubbish. It makes you wonder how so many other horror films scores are squandered. This isn't rocket science. Are the composers of the industry that inept, or are they simply more at home scoring "Bio-Dome" sequels? Complimenting the music is a directing style that embraces lingering shots. Aja allows scenes to breath. This is a short, fast moving film, but he milks tension. He manipulates a simple trek across a room into slow, excruciating experience. Our heroines, Marie (Cécile De France) and Alexia (Maïwenn Le Besco), slip into their roles with fevered conviction. Both effectively reinforce the terrifying events bearing down on them. Marie enjoys the most screen time as she evades and pursues a grunting psychopath (Philippe Nahon) clothed in stained yellow coveralls and sporting a "Jeepers Creepers" truck. I found the women's response to the chaos refreshing. Most are actions sensible people would take. That in itself is worth some praise. One aspect of the film demanding attention is the startling revelation during "Haute Tension's" climax. This twist may leave some massaging their brains (including me), but I found it particularly effective. Better yet, a second viewing reveals a large number of Easter eggs foreshadowing the surprise. Honestly, I missed most of these, but found it a fascinating jigsaw puzzle to navigate. "Haute Tension" is a golden model of "slasher" cinema. There is not a moment to relax here. It embraces it's violence with startling vigor, reminding audiences how such tales can captivate when guided by respectful hands. One last note: When you pop this film into your DVD player, make sure to avoid the censored version, and select the unrated French language version with English subtitles (the dubbed version is horrid). Those allergic to subtitles need not fear, there's not much dialogue anyway. This is the only way to watch! To learn more about Rabid Doll’s Top 13 horror movies, click here. Express yourself and be part of the news! Leave a comment below or join our rabid discussions on the SyBoards.