"Ils" ("Them") begins by establishing some real characters (a couple) in a real setting (their house). Lucas (Michael Cohen) is a writer who seems a little blocked. Sanda (Maria Roman) is his wife, a smart, supportive woman who is having problems sleeping. During an irritating bout of insomnia, in the middle of the night, she hears the first noise. From that moment, the lives of this couple are changed. Their home is invaded by faceless people and they are forced to flee. They fight, too, but because they may be outnumbered, fleeing seems to be the most sensible course of action -- at least initially. This moody French horror film, directed by David Moreau and Xavier Palud, goes heavy on the suspense and light on the mayhem. Once it establishes its simple premise, it is an extended chase through a forest and dangerous subterranean tunnels. The strong, sexy Roman gets the most generous coverage as she is stalked and deceived, her flight paralleling that of Marilyn Burns in the original "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre". When the film reveals who our heroes have been running from, it is a modest surprise. Stronger, though, is a simple sequence of shots that confirm their fate. Made with modest resources, nicely lit and scored, "Ils" is a solid exercise in suggestive horror.
Review of Them
