Films of the New French Extremity ─ Visceral Horror and National Identity

The films of the New French Extremity have been reviled by critics but adored by fans and filmmakers. Known for graphically brutal depictions of sex and violence, the subgenre emerged from the French art-house scene in the late 1990s and became a cult phenomenon, eventually merging into the horror genre where it became associated with American torture porn. Decidedly French in flavor, the films seek to reveal the dark side of French society. This book provides an in-depth study of New French Extremity, focusing on such films as Trouble Every Day (2001), Irreversible (2002), Twentynine Palms (2003), High Tension (2003) and Martyrs (2008). The author explores the social implications of cinematic cruelty presented not as "violent films" but as "films about violence."

Alexandra West has written about genre films for The Toronto Star, Rue Morgue Magazine and Offscreen Film Journal, and regularly contributes to Shock Till You Drop, Famous Monsters of Filmland and Diabolique. In 2012, she co-founded the Faculty of Horror podcast, which explores the analytical side of horror films. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.