The slasher movie is back in fashion, which hopefully means Switchblade Romance will find an audience, as it’s a first-class horror thriller.

The premise is simple: in rural France, a razor-wielding maniac terrorises two young women after slaughtering their family.

From this simple idea French writer-director Aja weaves a twisty, terrifying plot loaded with suspense and horror.

The film is stunningly shot, with brutally raw performances and a thrilling, innovative screenplay.

This may sound like heresy to some, but Switchblade Romance really is better than Psycho.

David Haviland, 22.09.04