Megalomaniac

"Megalomaniac" is one of the most disturbing and powerful horror films I've seen in a while. This French-language Belgium production fits comfortably in the European Extreme horror film genre -- like "Martyrs" and "Frontier(s)" among others. You'll feel like you were punched in the gut after you're done watching it. And although it's not for everyone, it's one of the best horror films of 2023.

As the film begins, we are told the story of "The Butcher," who killed 15 women over the course of six months. We then fast forward to meet his two grown children, Felix and Martha. They live in the family home, and Martha works as a janitor, where she is treated awfully, to support them. Felix appears to be continuing his father's work, and Martha seems to know about it. She also appears to be trying to get help for her clear mental issues by having a social worker visit her occasionally.

Martha's treatment at work becomes truly horrible, and we think that we are going to see her embrace the madness that runs through her family and lash out. But "Megalomaniac" is far too clever for that. Martha's descent into madness is far more horrifying than we could ever expect and you will never get me to spoil what happens, other than to say it becomes one of the most disturbing and nihilistic films I've seen in a long time. And the movie becomes even more powerful when every now and then, it hints that things may not be completely as they seem... but never takes any shortcuts or gives easy answers.

The acting is absolutely spectacular. Eline Schumacher as Martha and Benjamin Ramon as Felix command the screen every time they are on it. The film doesn't shy away from graphic violence but also doesn't revel in it and that makes it even more intense. And intense it is, "Megalomaniac" does not let up for the entirety of its running time, there is not a single light moment or laugh in it.

To be honest, I am a little surprised this film actually got a wide, mainstream release. You will feel this movie as you watch it and after it's done. It will generate long discussions, including what the title refers to. It's a pleasure to give a rave review and hopefully get it some more viewers, so if you're a fan of these types of intense horror films "Megalomaniac" is recommended without reservation.

It's a typical sick Brutal Horror Movie from France. We remember cult classics like "Inside", "Frontiers", Martyrs and "High Tension" and you can confidently put this film behind them. There are some Brutal and disturbing scenes. The Movie has a Dark Atmosphere from Start to Finish. The Actors aren't the Best, but they're trying Hard - Eline Schumacher does a very good job as a tormented victim and as a sick Psychopath.

This film shows a closer perspective between serial killers and his poor victims.

Be warned, the film is partly contemptuous of people. It's only for die-Hard fans of the Brutale Serial killer theme

Is not suitable for every viewer.!!!

I read a review which compared this film to the Canadian version of Martyrs and so I took a shot at it.

I gave Martyrs a 9/10 and it is my #1 horror movie of all time. Megalomaniac does not come close. I was bored throughout the silliness of the story and the lack of clarity with flashbacks that made no sense to this viewer.

Felix and his sister Martha are the offspring of a notorious serial killer and the siblings carry on in the family tradition. Felix abducts women and murders them and then leaves them at the side of the road. His sister lives with him in their gothic house and works at a factory where she is harassed by her co-workers.

A social worker pays monthly visits to the home for unexplained reasons while a young woman is chained to a wall in a nearby room.

The ending is a bloody mess and I do not recommend this film.

Urgh. This year's seeking profundity by brutalising young women effort.

Clearly talent in front and behind the camera, all completely wasted on a tick box exercise in outrage - the aforementioned misogynist violence (and some of it is indefensible), rape, incest, auto cannibalism and so on and so forth.

Striving for the heights of Kieslowski or Haneke and falling down because everything it does has been done before and can only be that shocking once or twice but here we are 20 years later with people attempting to pull the wool with the same old shtick.

I didn't hate it but it profoundly bored me.

Wow. This movie is definitely not for everyone, but it is for me. Well acted, beautifully shot, and I could really feel what she was feeling. Looking at them both, I can understand how they got where they were in life, and partly, it shows nature and nurture coming together. I did not find it in anyway pointless or the violence glorified. More like a character study. No matter how much she tried, everything and everyone was against her so ultimately she found herself beside the rest of her family. I feel that the last 5 seconds of the film are quite symbolic.

If you like films that delve deep into the darkest depths of the human soul, don't mind a slow pace (which I think is deliberate) graphic violence, and are not adverse to a story that is utterly bleak, then give it a watch!