User reviews

This film proclaims that the events contained within are based on actual happenings. I can easily buy this as the plot isn't so outlandish that it becomes impossible for it to have actually happened. The way that the film treats it's subject matter is good in that it focuses on atmosphere and tension to get across what is only really a variant on the same sort of story used in films such as Night of the Living Dead and Assault on Precinct 13, and the film does manage to remain interesting for the most part despite the fact that it gives you no real reason to care for the characters and the plot is incredibly thin. IMDb only lists two actors for the cast - there are actually more, but these two are the central characters. Clementine, a schoolteacher and Lucas, a writer live together in a picturesque little country house. They believe themselves to be isolated within this nice little home, but upon hearing a noise one night, the pair venture outside and discover that, in fact, they are not alone in their living area and soon realise that they have been invaded by a group of murderous 'visitors'...

The film only runs for seventy minutes, so there's not much time for plot building anyway. It would seem that directors David Moreau and Xavier Palud were keener to focus on themes of the plot rather than telling an actual story, and the ideas contained within mostly concern the pointlessness of violence and an invasion of a family home. The film benefits from a nice glossy cinematography, which looks nice and gives the film more of a high quality feel. The acting is decent enough, and both Olivia Bonamy and Michaël Cohen give interesting portrayals of their characters. The murderers are the most interesting part of the film, and this is true in spite of the fact that they're kept off screen as much as possible. The same idea behind the murderers of this film has been used before, to a better degree in some films, and is used well here also. The film falls down on the fact that it doesn't run for long and it doesn't really seem to have an actual plot. This isn't particularly important considering what the film obviously sets out to portray, but it does leave Them feeling rather empty. Still, this is a quality French horror film and comes recommended.

As previous reviewers have mentioned, at the start of the story you are never quite sure what genre the film is, which works in this film's favour. In many ways this film reminded me of 'Wolf Creek' in that there was next to no story at all, but instead the film focuses on character's trapped in a life or death situation and the seemingly prescient nature of the pursuer(s). In addition, there's the appeal to the 'based on a true story' line that seems to reel in some gullible viewers while causing a good eye-rolling for the rest of us. To believe that the events that transpired in this movie are based on fact is not implausible, it just seems to be an excuse for a threadbare story. That said, the movie that it is is highly suspenseful. As another reviewer mentioned, I spent most of the film cringing. Surprising lack of violence which was very refreshing, which helps make an even stronger case for this film. The final shot was very chilling in it's implications, but perhaps portrayed the antagonists as being somewhat too detached, which for me, seemed to nullify the overall impact of the film. I gave it a 7/10. I would definitely recommend it for the masterful creation of suspense.

As some other comments have pointed out, "Ils" really doesn't have much of a story to it. A young couple are terrorized by a gang of mysterious, hooded assailants in a country house, that's about all there is to it. But this film takes suspense to whole new levels. It has possibly the scariest opening sequence I've seen in two decades of being a horror movie fan, and I barely breathed throughout the entire first hour. The third act lightens up on the tension a bit (and I mean only a bit), but that's actually a welcome relief... It's nice to feel your heart slow back down to normal levels after being taken on such a ride.

It isn't a horror film that relies on gore or shocks for its frights. Fans of movies like Hostel and Saw probably won't find much to entertain them here; but if you enjoy tight directing that builds layer upon layer of anxiety, then this is for you.

...but in the end you realize this is something you'll only watch once or perhaps twice. It's a perfect cinema experience however.

The sound work works really well in a theater. There is clearly a very eager and talented sound designer and editor responsible for creating most of the tension. Every single creak and footstep is perfectly placed for the best scares. The plot is the "weakest" part, but it's nothing you'll care about. The best thing is that it mercifully steers clear of all "jump" scenes we know and hate from American scary movies.

After the first act, lightning starts to come in more and more and almost replaces sound as the tension-maker. This is also done extremely well. Actually, this is probably one of the most well- made horror movies in a long time. Everything plays out perfectly; lightning, sound, camera-work(modern, but not annoyingly so) editing and cinematography.

Definitely worth watching for the technical aspects alone, but more so for the tension and the scares.

This movie is a mystery-horror hybrid, and one of the best at maintaining tension and suspense. Definitely not recommended for those with heart problems - honest, this had my heart racing. No special effects or big budget necessary, this movie is simple but told from the point of view of the victims as well as 'their' POV, and this keeps the movie interesting and makes it a different entry in the horror genere.

Much like Run Lola Run, "Ils" is effective, yet it is clear that is more of an exercise in style (that works very well) than any attempt to truly innovate. I can't help but wonder that this movie could have been awesome with a different, more intricate plot. But since it claims it's based on true facts, it does a good job of telling the story with a twist and putting us in the place of the two main characters. There isn't much gore at all, which is a good thing and works in favour of the movie's atmosphere.

And the ending... well, let's just say it was a big surprise for me. Just try not to read any spoilers about this movie, don't assume anything beforehand and you're set.

It seems a lot of people feel that the horror-genre has had some sort of revival in the last few years. That the genre is more alive and vibrant than in a long time. If by that you mean that many horror-movies are made, then i agree. However, if you mean that the quality is better i have to disagree completely.

Sure there are a few of the "new wave"-horror movies that have had some interesting and groundbreaking themes, like for instance SAW. But most of them are the same regurgitated crap that i seem to remember having seen since the 70's or so. This movie is no different. The fact that it's supposedly based on real events matters not, the result is still a load of crap.

This movie is 80 minutes long. That is a very short running time for a movie, i think we could all agree on that. So how do the film-makers manage to make the first 40 minutes unbearably boring? It's beyond me, but almost nothing happens. Not only is it wasted time horror-wise, it's even more wasted since there is no character-development or anything adding to some kind of story. After these 40 minutes (that feels like two hours) have passed the "horror" begins. Mostly it consists of people running around in a pitch black empty house screaming in horror at their own shadow. The pace is picked up somewhat in the end of the movie, but it still makes no sense and never becomes interesting.

The only positive thing i can really say about this mess is that at least it didn't fall into the common gore trap. Most horror movies today seem to think that horror comes from seeing lots and lots of blood. At least here they directors try (and fail) to create some sort of psychological suspense. In the end though i don't think i was scared a single one of the 80 minutes and this felt very much like a huge waste of my time.

2/10

Lucas and Clementine live peacefully in their isolated country house, but one night they wake up to strange noise... they are not alone... and a group of hooded assailants begin to terrorize them throughout the night.

From the description, you might think this was a French version of "The Strangers" or something like that. You would be sorely mistaken. The film takes the idea of "less is more" a little too far. The bulk of it has two people reacting to noises in the night. There is basically no real threat to them, at least not so far as I could see.

The film finally picks up in the third act, and treats us to some amazing architecture. If there had been a way to get the story to that point sooner, and perhaps for longer, I think it would have held my interest better.

Most disappointing, the film billed itself as based on true events. How many hundreds -- or thousands -- of films use this gimmick? Please stop. We all know that your story is either not based on true events at all, or is so loosely based on them that it is not even worth saying so. (I appreciate the words "inspired by" even less -- every story ever written is "inspired" by something in real life!)

While I would never classify "Them" as science fiction in the least, it is definitely a keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller, but one tastefully made without gratuitous violence or gore. Based on a true life story, this film speaks to the banality of violence, and the essence of fear. I've seen plenty of gripping thrillers, but this one kept me squirming and shielding my eyes for a full hour, with an ending that leaves you stunned. Speaking no French or Romanian and having seen it with English sub-titles, I cannot attest to the value of the script. The performances, however, seem solid and the film is expertly shot and musically scored - all these elements add to the power of the film. I would appreciate more information on the real events on which "Them" is based, so if anyone knows more, please contact me.

...but it wouldn't be nothing without a woman or a girl. Although she's not technically single, Clémentine (Olivia Bonamy) is out there on her own. Her man is useless from the minute we meet him. She earns the money *and* does the shopping. Lucas (Michaël Cohen) is a lazy dimwit of a writer who's always tired and can't even cook. Less than half-way through the script, he gets himself injured so Clémentine has to confront the intruders all by herself. When doom closes in on them and they have to flee the house, she drags Lucas along until he collapses like the sissy that he is. Fortunately, Clémentine is a tough cookie (and easily the prettiest scream queen this side of Neve Campbell). The story is set in and around a run-down country mansion outside Bucharest. It's an obvious choice for a horror movie, but it works surprisingly well, chiefly because of Axel Cosnefroy's outstanding cinematography. The camera (mostly hand-held/steadicam) is with the lead characters almost all the time, constantly switching between outside and first-person perspectives.

This movie resembles in many ways to "The Blair Witch Project". How? Well, by the few characters introduced to the viewers, the way the movie was shot and the heavy atmosphere that surrounds us. It's this kind of general malaise that gives this movie a solid base to stand on. Another important fact, is that this story is based on actual facts and you have to agree that it makes it a lot scarier. For people expecting any gore, forget about it. This is just a horror movie with a heavy atmosphere. The script is minimalist, but has definitely some interesting aspects. The main disappointment of that movie is that at the end of it, we feel like we're missing the "why". But on the hole, if u feel like getting a good chill from a spooky movie, i recommend u then:"ILS"

The collaborative minds of two French co-directors, Xavier Palud and David Moreau have produced a financially efficient modern classic horror. Based on a true story, the narrative is simple enough: After a mysterious attack, by unknown assailants, on two car-crash victims in the Romanian countryside, a happy French couple, living in a large rented house nearby, are one night terrorised by hooded intruders. With hardly any music, the film relies on diagetic noises and sounds to creep-out the audience, with devastating effectiveness. And combined with a masterful use of darkness to temporarily blind and disorientate the audience, as well as the characters, Palud and Moreau have created a heart-thumping jump-out-of-your-seat gripper with a surprising and chilling twist.

Without hesitation, I have to say this is a good thriller. Scenario was simple which made the movie easy to watch. You really find yourself wondering who really they are. There's no much blood used in the movie. I think it is a success to make a thriller interesting without using such gore effects. Meanwhile this is also a drama. Casting's OK and nice shots. The only negative thing I thought about it was that the story could be more developed around "them". Also, throughout the movie, you can't really understand whether "they" are metaphysical or made out of flesh and blood. This also keeps you wondering about the end. So you better watch it. Absolutely not a waste of time to watch.. Congratulations to the production, hands shaken.