The Treatment (De Behandeling) is an exceptionally well done film. It has a very tense plot, is well directed and will keep you on the edge of your seats. So, technically speaking I have no real problems with this Belgian thriller. However, the subject matter is so distasteful and so disturbing you should think twice before going to see this police film.

Nick Cafmeyer (Geert Van Rampelberg) is a wounded and traumatized man. Many years ago, when he was quite young, he saw his brother abducted and the kid was never seen again. Not surprisingly, when Nick grew up he became a cop and investigated cases that sometimes reminded him of his brother—particularly cases involving pedophiles. Additionally, the man that the police think did it couldn't be jailed because they didn't have enough evidence—and the suspect would keep terrorizing Nick—showing up near his house even years later. The sick freak would not break the law in each case—just let Nick know that he was there.

A new case comes along that is very, very sick and disturbing. It also has a lot of common traits to Nick's brother's disappearance and Nick is intent on catching the guy once and for all, as he assumes it's the same man in both cases. However, in a twist, the guy who everyone assumed killed Nick's brother kills himself in a VERY vivid manner partway through the film and he is obviously NOT the guy doing the current sick crimes. What are these sick sex offenses involving children? Well, part of me thinks I should just tell you because I can guarantee when many learn the twist they WON'T want to see the film! Suffice to say, the case is much, much, much, MUCH sicker than any I've ever seen on the television show "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"!

Because the crime is very, very disturbing and because so much of the film is ultra-violent and realistic, I am once again warning viewers. If you have been a victim of sexual or physical abuse, you really should consider watching ANYTHING else—as much of the film is like watching a pedophile at work—including tormenting his victims. I am not necessarily saying it's too graphic—but it is VERY graphic and very intense and might very likely elicit Post-Trauamatic Stress reactions in viewers, as it might remind them of their own victimization. I think I know what I am talking about here, as I used to be a psychotherapist who worked with victims of sexual abuse.

Now if you can stomach the film, it IS exceptionally well made. The film is incredibly creative and the twists come as HUGE surprises. Additionally, Nick's character is wonderful and Rampelberg's acting is exceptional—as he plays a walking wounded man who has so much pain and rage he needs to work out while STILL investigating horrific crimes. Overall, it's a very original and fascinating film but one that is frankly bound to be a painful viewing experience for many.

THE TREATMENT is a Belgian crime drama that's heavily indebted to the look and feel of Scandinavian noir. It's based on a novel by Mo Hayder, one that tackles the ugly subject matter of child abduction, and it follows a team of detectives as they investigate the disappearance of a nine-year-old child and quickly uncover a paedophile ring's involvement. The hero, inevitably, has his own personal demons which are gradually uncovered as the tale progresses. This is a slow-moving story and one that's rather overlong, spoilt occasionally by unwise slow motion used at the wrong times and some heavy-handed writing. However, the gloomy atmosphere is sufficiently downbeat and the psychology of the characters keeps you watching.

I haven't read the novel this is based on (I've been told the novel is better, but it's tough for a movie to live up to the expectations, especially because this is based on all the twists the story takes and the guessing of who the bad guy is amongst other things),but the movie is really great.

The central performance is amazing and unlike other crime movies it is not that easy to guess where this is going (if you haven't read the book). The twists and turns the story take are absolutely marvelous. Though that might not be the right word for it, we do get a movie that feels real. And even when we are a step ahead of the detective, it's not as if he's a bad cop. There is so much going on, he can't know everything ... sometimes not knowing can be tough though ...