The Broken

When I learned that Cashback and Shards in the Head are connected by the same director, I rolled my eyes. While Cashback meant an amazing visual and striking spectacle for me, the second of the films represents a ninety-minute boredom enhanced by several suspenseful scenes and interest in the point, which I personally did not understand at all and the whole film therefore seems confusing to me. (31.12.2010)

This definitely had atmosphere and a few solid jump scares, but it dragged at times, maybe even felt a bit dull... The gloomy vibe reminded me of Children of Men, and the plot had shades of Mirrors—both great films, but this was its own thing entirely. If my favorite actress hadn’t been in the lead, I’d probably rate it a star lower. 60%. (18.07.2009)

This sinister goose-bump-raising ride through a darkened London is made more interesting by the fact that you have no idea what’s going on the whole time. It is mysterious, creepy and emotional, relying on great camera and editing tricks, with noises and jump scares that come sooner and from a different place than you would expect. If the movie had a meaningful ending that would make it a sad drama about a hidden, dark family secret (instead of an inexplicable, mysterious cliffhanger in the style of The X-Files), I would have given it given it five stars. By the way, this is exactly how I imagined Aja’s Mirrors the other day. (01.09.2011)

"You have conquered, and I yield. Yet, henceforward art thou also dead - dead to the World, to Heaven and to Hope! In me didst thou exist - and, in my death, see by this image, which is thine own, how utterly thou hast murdered thyself." +++ From the beginning to the end, an oppressively disturbing atmosphere pervades the film, foreshadowed by an ominous quote from Edgar Allan Poe right at the beginning. Psychological games like the ones in The Broken can scare me far more than flowing streams of blood. (70%) (07.07.2021)

The premise was quite interesting, the screenplay was decent too, but I think this small French film will evaporate from my mind relatively quickly. It didn't really draw me into the story, even though visually The Brøken was pleasing to the eye. The whole film takes place in some kind of grey silence, which viewers tend to see as a big plus. I was also bothered a bit by the constant flashbacks, and overall, it didn't really get under my skin. (11.04.2013)