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This slow-moving, hypnotic film takes viewers on a journey from the banal loneliness of a businessman into the horrors which one hopes exist only within the confines of nightmare. The plot is perfectly paced to execute this method, which one might describe as slow-torture of diegetic reality. With majestic acting in the two lead roles, the film is as seductive as Asami with its increasingly macabre storyline. The viewers' curiosity at the strange situation builds into suspense, which in turn sets the stage for an unthinkably intense climax. The cinematography and score contribute to the singularity of this goal, all the while instilling an anxiety in the audience which remains at that critical point between over-the-top "scare scenes" and a merely intriguing plotline. Instead, one becomes as entangled in the film's "reality" as does its protagonist. Many viewers will emerge from the film with such a defiled perception of reality as to force them to question the very possibility of trust between *any* two individuals. (Seriously. I had a hard time talking to my friends for a little while after I saw this movie.) While this may seem undesirable to most viewers... well, quite frankly, it probably *is* undesirable to most viewers. Recommended only for the strong of stomach and mind, and even they will probably not escape unscathed. [9/10]

Le Pacte des Loups is a fairly impressive movie. What other movie can spend two and a half hours on a ravaging monster fought by a scientist and his loyal Iroqois "brother" in 18th century France, and keep its audience enraptured? Its plot is a bit obscure in places, admittedly, leaving the audience not so much in suspense as confusion, but this is the unconventionality that comes with such a unique work. The acting was a bit above average, the actors and actresses combining well with the enchanting atmosphere and succeeding in making memorable characters. The score also contributes to the film's mysterious mood, and great cinematography (although occasionally overdone) helps it out too. While all this goes a long way to making a great film, it is the dazzling action sequences that make it a classic. The choreography is great, the sound effects make you feel as if you're standing a foot away, and the mystery of the movie is such that nearly every battle's outcome is uncertain. If the romance is trite, a few lines seem out of place, and the plot falters a bit, overall, this is still quite a movie to watch if you're looking for a lot of adventure and action. [8/10]