Directed & written by Xavier Gens

The splatter film is not my favorite sub-genre, but I like any well-made horror. This French production is an above-average example that should satisfy anyone who liked Calvaire.

Five young friends have stolen a large sum of money during a violent political protest in Paris. Driving two vehicles, they flee from the police and head out to the country, planning to rendezvous at an inn or hostel and continue their escape. But their plans change when they encounter one of those lovely families you only find in oddball news items on the back page, and in movies like this one. (I was immediately reminded of the Fritzl family saga from Vienna.)

The success of this picture depends on striking a balance between inventiveness and plausibility. I give this film higher marks for plausibility than inventiveness. Any horror movie that introduces a Nazi element needs to justify itself, and Frontier(s) does a better job than most. The irony of these particular punks ending up where they do is a clever variation on the sub-genre, but it doesn't automatically make everything work. For that, director Xavier Gens (Hitman) relies on a fast pace, pretty good acting, and special effects that are guaranteed to make you squirm.

Unfortunately, one of our protagonists cries incessantly. This is a minor gripe, but I honestly felt like smacking her a couple of times, and I'll bet that isn't what the director intended.

Anyway, if the meat hook and buzz saw are your props of choice in a horror film, you will probably get a kick out of this bloodbath-at-the-country-inn story. The social overtones are a bonus.