High Lane (film)

Lore & Background

The story centers on five friends—Loïc, Chloé, Anton, Karine, and Fred—who decide to climb a remote, unmarked peak in Croatia. After a bridge collapses, they are forced to take a dangerous route across a high-altitude forest and a narrow ridge. Their adventure turns into a fight for survival when they discover that a deranged former soldier, who lives in the mountains, is stalking them, using traps and brutal methods to pick them off one by one.

Reader's Guide

High Lane received mixed reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an approval rating of 60% based on reviews from 5 critics. John Fallon of Arrow in the Head gave it a score of 6/10, commending its direction, suspenseful setup, and score, while criticizing its cliché-ridden second half. Bloody Disgusting lambasted the film for bad acting, obnoxious score, uncharismatic villain, and hackneyed script. Patrick Cooper of CHUD.com called it well-acted, well-directed, and well-shot but bringing nothing new. Coming Soon's Robert Sims described it as predictable but effective, calling it the European answer to The Hills Have Eyes. Dread Central's Scott A. Johnson gave it a score of 4/5, calling it a remarkably intense ride. DVD Talk's Kurt Dahlke gave it 2.5 out of 5, noting that despite awesome early action, it ends up muddled and clichéd. James Dennis of Screen Anarchy labelled it a familiar slasher/redneck horror. The film is noted for its tense climbing scenes and gruesome set pieces.

Did You Know?

• The film was shot on location in the Velebit mountain range in Croatia, giving it an authentic, claustrophobic feel.
• Director Abel Ferry previously worked as a stunt coordinator, which influenced the film's realistic climbing sequences.
• The original French title 'Vertige' translates to 'Vertigo,' referencing both the height and the psychological disorientation of the characters.
• Anton is wounded by Chloé with a climbing axe during a struggle, but he is left alive and later succumbs to his injuries off-screen.