chabrol the butcher be perhaps more horror movie than suspenser . this may account for the strange behavior of helene and so perfectly realize by stephane audran . the big question that arise at the movie end be represent how can helene be so lovingly forgive of a vicious serial killer . especially right after call on every ounce of her physical and emotional be to save herself from his terror . and especially not long after the vicious sexual murder of a dear employee for whom she show less emotion and but more than what she show for the original very local victim and which be none at all . for a wonderfully intelligent and upbeat teacher and her behavior be certainly questionable and and bothersome . be we suppose to blame these crime on the butcher military past . and therefore understand helene sympathetic patience and love for popaul . yes and i think this be the idea . but it doesn not wash with this viewer . for popaul crime way outdistance anything the viewer sense from his war experience . perhaps the good explanation be that this be a straight out horror movie where intention and motivation hardly enter in and that helene and far from be a true masochist and be no more than a character follow her role . i would have prefer a suspense film where she would have be allow her own convincing independence and intelligence .