Since his international debut with the critically-acclaimed High Tension, filmmaker Alexandre Aja has directed a variety of crowd-pleasing suspense films. Here’s how each of his first six horror films rank, from worst to best.
The French auteur made a big impression in the States when Lionsgate picked up his demented suspense film High Tension (aka Haute Tension). The film fest favorite opened the door to more high-profile productions including the remake of The Hills Have Eyes and the Kiefer Sutherland thriller Mirrors. Aja’s sure hand at suspense gave even most unambitious project a sense of urgency - and high tension. His wild “reimagining” of New World Pictures’ cult favorite Piranha managed to juggle humor and horror just as successfully as Joe Dante did in 1978.
Last summer’s Crawl, a deceptively simple alligator thriller, proved that he could make any premise work – even with a limited locale and budget. In addition to directing, Aja is also a strong writer with a sharp sense of suspense storytelling. As a writer for hire, his screenplays for P2 and the Maniac remake elevated what could have been a by-the-numbers thriller and a cheap cash-in. His next production, purportedly a big budget “interactive haunted house movie,” sounds like the next logical step in his escalating film career.
6. Horns (2013)
This darkly humorous horror fantasy, Horns, was a somewhat faithful adaptation of Joe Hill’s cult novel. Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, stars as a young man falsely accused of raping and murdering his girlfriend. Out of guilt and frustration he begins to grow devil horns, which have a supernatural influence over everyone he meets; causing them to tell uncomfortable truths. Aja’s penchant for dark humor works well with the material, but the final product is uneven and far less engaging than the intriguing premise.
5 Mirrors (2008)
Aja’s first big studio film, Mirrors, was a loose remake of 2003 South Korean hit Into the Mirror. Kiefer Sutherland is a troubled former NYPD detective who finds himself working as a night watchman of a derelict department store. Mirrors within the building contain a supernatural force that begin to haunt Sutherland and kill those around him. Some genuinely creepy effects and tense situations help elevate a fairly mediocre narrative. The film performed well enough at the box office to generate a direct-to-video sequel.
4 Piranha 3-D (2010)
This “reimagining” of Joe Dante’s classic drive-in movie delivers everything that someone could want from such a title. Emphasizing the extreme violence and nudity that the Roger Corman school of filmmaking traded in for decades, Piranha 3-D delivers it all in a smart, relentlessly gruesome package. The unfortunate timing of a prehistoric piranha uprising and spring break at a busy lake resort set the stage for an epic blood bath. A game Elisabeth Shue leads a fun ensemble cast that also features Ving Rhames, Adam Scott and Richard Dreyfuss a fun Jaws-inspired cameo.
3. Crawl (2019)
A Category 5 hurricane traps a father and daughter in the crawlspace of their family home – where alligators have entered through a storm drain in Crawl. Aja’s camera effectively puts the viewer right in the middle of the frenetic action. Some genuinely scary sequences are achieved by making familiar, mundane spaces easy hunting grounds. Great performances by Maze Runner’s Kaya Scodelario and Barry Pepper and superior effects work elevate this suspenseful adventure film.
2. High Tension (2003)
High Tension, the film that brought Aja to the U.S. was given a wide release for good reason. Alex (Maiwenn) invites Marie (Cecile de France) to stay at her family’s secluded home to study over the weekend. That night, Alex’s family are systematically murdered by an intruder who has an unhealthy relationship with both women. What follows is an unapologetically violent and suspenseful film that plays against audience expectation. Steer clear of the U.S. cut, which is dubbed and severely edited.
1. The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
Remaking Wes Craven’s classic drive-in film, The Hills Have Eyes, might seem like an ambitious project, but Aja knew exactly what to do with the material and delivered a stunning American debut. Telling the very same story, with few detours, the director still managed to make a genuinely scary and subversive work. A typical American family on vacation are menaced by a mutant cannibal tribe in the New Mexico desert. A solid cast led by Ted Levine and Kathleen Quinlan help ground the proceedings – giving weight to the inevitable horrific events. Tomandandy contribute an insidious score that infuses a sense of hopelessness throughout.