Ils (2006)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Directors:

David Moreau
Xavier Palud

Writers:

David Moreau (writer)
Xavier Palud (writer)

Release Date:

20 April 2006 (South Korea)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

The film that terrified Europe has come to America

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Night | House | Car | Writer | Country House

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Olivia Bonamy	...	Clémentine
Michaël Cohen	...	Lucas
Adriana Mocca	...	Ilona (as Adriana Moca)
Maria Roman	...	Sanda
Camelia Maxim	...	Maria
Alexandru Boghiu	...	L'enfant
Emanuel Stefanuc	...	Adolescent n°1
Horia Ioan	...	Adolescent n°2
Stefan Cornic	...	Adolescent n°3
George Iulian	...	Adolescent n°4

Also Known As:

Ils - Them (UK)
Them (USA)

MPAA:

Rated R for some violence and terror.

Runtime:

France:77 min

Country:

France | Romania

Language:

French | Romanian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | Finland:K-15 | Germany:16 | Italy:VM14 | France:-12 (with warning) | South Korea:15 | USA:R | Japan:R-15 | Netherlands:16 | Portugal:M/16 | New Zealand:R16 | Australia:MA (2008) | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Bucharest, Romania

Company:

Eskwad

Trivia:

The house used in the film was an actual sprawling old estate in Bucharest, Romania. The house was so large that the production was unable to furnish all the rooms for shooting, but it was also large enough that the entire production worked out of the location.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Clementine drives to the house a crew member (most likely cameraman) is visible on the car glass.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Child: We just want to play! Why won't you ley us? Let us! Will you let us?

They did not Want to Play With Us

The teacher of the French School in Bucharest Clémentine (Olivia Bonamy) lives with her husband, the writer Lucas (Michaël Cohen), in a remote real estate in Snagow. Along the night, Clémentine is awakened by weird noises outside the old house and Lucas sees their car being stolen. Then the lights are turned off, phone line is dead and they see that their property gate has been trespassed and they are surrounded by weird persons with lights. They hide in the cellar and try to escape to ask for help in a dreadful night of pure terror.

The unknown "Ils" is one of the scariest movies I have ever seen, almost comparable to Michael Haneke"s "Funny Games". The story of this low-budget movie is very simple, does not have special effects and apparently is based on a true story, but the direction of David Moreau and Xavier Palud is stunning, supported by the awesome and credible performances of Olivia Bonamy and Michaël Cohen that make the difference with most of the American movies of this genre. I was tense and nervous with the frightening atmosphere of this film. The alienation of the youngsters "them" in the end is perhaps the scariest part of this gem of horror. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Eles" ("Them")