If you're a young singer going out into the wintry Belgian sticks to entertain the residents at nursing homes, you must make sure your van doesn't break down between engagements
And, if it does, do not attempt to sleep at an inn in the woods.
Sadly, no one gave Laurent Lucas this valuable advice and, in Fabrice du Welz's film, he finds himself surrounded by mad perverts.
The innkeeper (Jackie Berroyer, very good) sets fire to his van, bangs him on the head, dresses him up as his escaped wife, crucifies him and calls him Gloria.
This Gothic tale, beautifully shot by Benoît Debie, is more chilling than most horrors, even if the poor young singer's story doesn't really invoke the martyrdom of Christ, as promised by the title.
Calvaire (The Ordeal)
Cert: cert18
