Most Disturbing Movies Ever Made

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JUST WHAT ARE THE MOST DISTURBING MOVIES EVER MADE?

November 18th 2009 23:59

I was at a private “grindhouse” double-feature screening last night (I’ll review the two movies in the very near future), and during the discussion and online research following the screenings we discovered a smart little movie site called Green Cine (Better Living Through Cinema) and a definitive, and obviously opinionated list of The 25 Most Disturbing Movies which had been compiled and commented on by Simon Augustine.

It’s a pretty impressive list, I must say. I've seen three-quarters of it, and the ones I haven't seen I’m well aware of their notoriety. Nearly all of the titles are available on DVD, although some would be hard to find, and a few are still banned in several countries (including Australia). I’ve only reviewed a clutch of them; I'll endeavour to review the others in the coming months.

It takes a lot for a movie to truly disturb me. Some movies have provided genuine shocks, whilst others have upset me emotionally. So what exactly is the criteria that makes a movie disturbing? I have already tackled this topic in an earlier post. According to Simon Augustine the canon of disturbing cinema are the most disgusting, terrifying, upsetting, gory, profane, irreverent movies ever made; basically movies that indulge in extreme violence and/or depravity, and/or thematic elements and tone that are overwhelmingly heinous; movies potentially ruinous to our well-being. Or as Simon so eloquently puts it: “Does this movie make me want to throw up? Do I feel like a worse person having watched this drivel? Do I feel significantly less optimistic about human nature after having been subjected to it? Also counted: level of feigned or sincere ignorance of good taste.”

As I said earlier it’s a potent nightmarish and transgressive selection of movies from the past forty-odd years likely to ruffle the most jaded sensibilities, however there were a few curious inclusions on the list that had me musing. Were there any glaring absences? Perhaps. After viewing the extensive collection of titles which belonged to the host of last night’s Argentinean double-whammy screening I was privy to numerous underground movies I’d never heard of that looked like perfect fodder for consideration.

Here is Simon Augustine’s list:

The 25 Most Disturbing Movies (currently in existence):

1. Irreversible (2002)
2. Salo, or The 120 Days of Sodom (1975)
3. Last House on the Left (1972)
4. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
5. The August Underground trilogy:
August Underground (2002)/Mordum (2003)/Penance (2007)
6. Requiem for a Dream (2002)
7. TIE: Aftermath (short) (1994)/Flowers of Flesh and Blood (1985)
8. Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
9. Forced Entry (1974)
10. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
11. The Devils (1971)
12. Pink Flamingos (1972)
13. I Spit on Your Grave (1978)
14. Emanuelle in America (1976)
15. Kichiku: Banquet of the Beasts (1997)
16. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
17. Bad Lieutenant (1994)
18. Sweet Movie (1974)
19. Funny Games (1997)
20. Blue Velvet (1986)
21. Entrails Come Out at Night (1980)
22. Maniac (1980)
23. Possession (1981)
24. Men Behind the Sun (1987)
25. Cutting Moments (short) (1997)

To read Simon Augustine’s introductory article, complete commentary on all the movies listed and his (dis)honourable mentions click here

The burning question now is; what movies would I include in my own Horrorphile list? The quick answer is: I need more time to debase my mind.

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: lists

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Comments

67 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Quin Goot

November 19th 2009 03:27

Bagman's Gazette

Haha. Cool topic Bryn. I'll look out for a couple of these, but I don't think I will delve too deeply, for sanity's sake.

Comment by Bryn

November 19th 2009 05:33

Horrorphile

Quin, your sanity would be most certainly tested by several or more of these nasties

Feel free to delve deep into the Darkness whenever you feel ready ...

Comment by David O'Connell

November 19th 2009 06:28

Screen Fanatic

I've only seen 10 of these Bryn, but I wouldn't begrudge Irreversible the top spot. The rape scene and the guy getting his head caved in at the club are pretty extreme stuff.

Noe's I Stand Alone isn't far behind - the guy beating his pregnant wife and then the plans he has for his daughter in the end.

The extra yards Cristian Bale covered for The Machinist were pretty disturbing too.

What about Gummo: disturbing or disgusting? Still can't formulate an appropriate response to that one.

Perhaps the best one though: the final moments of The Wicker Man - very disturbing! Such a vivid, horrific scene when you see it for the first time. Resonates like few others.

Comment by Bryn

November 19th 2009 11:55

Horrorphile

David, yeah, what Christian Bale did for The Machinist was disturbing ... I suppose the other extreme to what Robert De Niro did for Raging Bull ...

I hated Gummo. It didn't disturb me, it just annoyed the crap out of me.

Comment by Anonymous

November 19th 2009 18:07

I have a most disturbing films list as well, as well as most disturbing 'moments' in film. I will have to post them on my blog soon

Comment by Cinema is Truth

November 19th 2009 18:09

oops, that anonymous comment was me.

Comment by Bryn

November 19th 2009 20:49

Horrorphile

Sarah, I look forward to seeing your lists ... Did you check out my earlier post, which dealt with scenes/moments?

Comment by Anonymous

November 23rd 2009 17:28

You've got to check out, "Martyrs". The first half of the movie I thought I could even share it with my wife... that thought quickly went away the further I got into the movie.

Comment by Bryn

November 24th 2009 01:45

Horrorphile

Anon ... I reviewed Martyrs here. It gets a (dis)honourable mention at the end of the list made by Sean Augustine, along with several other French flicks including Inside and Frontiere(s) ... I wasn't as disturbed by Martyrs as I anticipated I would ... But it might possibly make my own complete list.

Comment by Anonymous

November 24th 2009 05:37

u forgot the movie 'hard candy' ! that was disturbing

Comment by Bryn

November 24th 2009 06:36

Horrorphile

Anon, I didn't forget anything ... The post is focusing on a list compiled by Sean Augustine, I haven't offered my own list as of yet ... I agree Hard Candy is a disturbing movie, and may very well make my own list. I actually have yet to review it ...

Comment by ZombiFreak

November 24th 2009 17:13

I think the only thing that really tends to disturb me are intense rape scene's in movies alot of which are on this list. Blood,guts and gore don't disturb or bother me but i'm (sic) like that. I think I Spit On Your Grave was the most disturbing in my opinion just for that fact alone ALTOUGH the ending where she just tears the guys apart was truly satisfying.

Comment by Anonymous

November 24th 2009 17:45

What do you guys think of "Audition"? Piano wire gives me the shivers...

Comment by Bryn

November 24th 2009 21:35

Horrorphile

Anon, Takashi Miike rocks. I'ved reviewed Audition (my fave), Ichi the Killer, Imprint, Gozu, Crows: Episode 0, and Sukiyaki Western Django.

Comment by Anonymous

November 24th 2009 21:46

Thanks for sharing Bryn! I need to write some of those down and check them out!

Comment by Bryn

November 24th 2009 22:04

Horrorphile

Tis the pleasure of my nightmares

Comment by Geomon

November 24th 2009 22:25

Bryn, I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of "Antichrist".

Comment by Bryn

November 25th 2009 00:03

Horrorphile

Geomon, I'm seeing Antichrist tonight, so will aim to review it for tomorrow's post

Comment by Anonymous

November 29th 2009 01:19

You should add 'Martyrs', 'Frontiers', 'Grotesque', and 'Inside' to this list. They are much more disturbing than a few of the films listed, they were difficult films to finish watching to be honest. If you haven't seen them, you should check them out because they belong on this list.

Comment by Bryn

November 30th 2009 00:42

Horrorphile

Anon, I've seen, reviewed, and own all of them on DVD, but haven't heard of Grotesque. You can enter any movie title into the search window on the upper left hand side of my blog and you'll find I've reviewed most movies ...
Also if you re-read the post you'll notice that it's not my personal list of most disturbing movies, but a list compiled by a writer called Sean Augustine.

I provided a link to an earlier post of mine where I discussed disturbing scenes in movies.

Comment by Anonymous

December 15th 2009 09:59

Umm, Begotten?

Comment by Bryn

December 15th 2009 20:50

Horrorphile

Anon, yes Begotten is awesome ... probably a little too abstract and arthouse to seriously disturb me, but powerful film nevertheless.

Comment by The Blue Yonder

December 18th 2009 22:08

Bryn,

The missing number #18 should go up in the next couple of days on GreenCine. thanks for bringing it to my attention! There was a comment I left for you over there about the reasons for the omission. Check it out if you get a chance!

-Simon Augustine

Comment by Bryn

December 19th 2009 01:52

Horrorphile

Hi Simon, cheers for stopping by, and thanks for letting me know of the re-instated #18 (I own the Criterion Collection DVD of Sweet Movie also, but have yet to watch it!)
I couldn't find your comment re: reason for omission, are you able to provide me with a direct link?
As you can see there are numerous reviews I still need to do! I'll get there eventually, there's only so much time one can spend in the Darkness before the skin starts to turn an unsightly hue ...
Hope to see you around this neck of the woods again some time.

Comment by Anonymous

January 23rd 2010 06:51

I think Begotten's abstract quality is what made it so horrendously disturbing. I won't be able to remove those images from my head. It had that quality of non-pinpoint accuracy in what one is seeing sometimes that really mimics the feeling of a nightmare. The jumps from non-concrete images to starkly more vivid ones is certainly notable.

Comment by Bryn

January 23rd 2010 07:19

Horrorphile

Anon, yes, Begotten is a unique film indeed. cheers!

Comment by fronky

March 16th 2010 20:43

What about Squirmfest/Squirmfest 2, Terrible Meal and Slaughtered Vomit Dolls?
Oh and maybe Africa Addio too (which I haven't seen but read lots about).
And there's the true gore series called Death Women.
And Philosophy Of A Knife! That one was a sucker punch alright.

Google the first movie at your own risk! lol

Comment by Bryn

April 6th 2010 00:01

Horrorphile

cheers Fronky

Comment by Anonymous

June 12th 2010 20:04

A Serbian film i think that one tops anything.

Comment by Bryn

June 14th 2010 07:37

Horrorphile

Anon, what Serbian flick is that?

Comment by Manchal

August 12th 2010 17:22

Bryn, it's called "A Serbian Film" - Really Long Link - and, having read quite widely into it, one might assume that the Anon isn't kidding...

Comment by Bryn

August 13th 2010 01:06

Horrorphile

Manchal, yes, I'm aware of the movie now. Hoping it arrives down under uncut.

Comment by Manchal

August 13th 2010 01:12

Is this likely? I have only a cursory knowledge of Australian censorship, gleaned from articles regarding the suppression or outright banning of violent media down under.

Fingers crossed, anyway!

Comment by Bryn

August 13th 2010 01:33

Horrorphile

Manchal, I can't say for sure, since I haven't seen A Serbian Film, but with scenes involving pedophilia the chances are high.

Comment by Manchal

August 13th 2010 01:48

And not just any ol' paedophilia, but the rape of a newborn infant still attached to its placenta...

Small wonder that their initial lab in Germany refused to strike up prints for the 35mm copy.

I'm unlikely to watch the film myself - morbid curiosity already sated by the mere exploration of its content through reviews and such - but best of luck with your own viewing, Bryn. Don't forget the popcorn!

Manchal

Comment by Bryn

August 13th 2010 02:23

Horrorphile

Manchal, I might just settle for some pumpkin puree, keep it real.

Comment by slasherfatale

September 27th 2010 18:02

out of the hundreds of horror movies i have watched in my 34 years one movie stands out the most. its an overseas film called 'cannibal'. based on a true story about the obsession between to men that delve into the taboo world of human consumption. it may be hard to find. its worth the search though. oh, and dont say i didnt warn you.

Comment by slasherfatale

September 27th 2010 18:07

Comment by Bryn

September 27th 2010 22:33

Horrorphile

slasherfatale, cheers for that. I actually have that movie on DVD waiting for me to watch ... It's based on the real-life German case that occurred ten or so years ago.
A mainstream movie, Grimm Love, was made, also based on the same case, but failed dramatically.

Comment by Anonymous

October 6th 2010 05:58

I was pleasantly surprised to find Kichiku on the list. I had to watch it a few times before the plot made any sense (it's a social commentary on the history of violence in Japan), but I think it survives on shock alone. Definitely one of those films that haunts you long after viewing. I only wish more people knew about it.

Comment by cwh112

December 13th 2010 07:18

hey, nice list !, yea a surbian film is pretty horrid. before this the only films that disturbed me remotely were salo and cannibal holocaust i would say a surbian film is slightly worse although all these 3 films are completely different in some respects

Comment by Anonymous

February 19th 2011 12:33

Cannibal Holocaust is probably the most disturbing (mostly fiction) movie I have ever watched, and I've watched everything here and pretty much everything banned, all the japanese gore, most of the sexploitation, etc. It's not as disturbing as watching muslim extremists decapitating people or compilations of irl grusome accidents but then again you wouldn't expect it to be.

Comment by Anonymous

February 19th 2011 19:22

BTW to spell it out for those who haven't watched, and elaborate on "different ways", Salo is disgusting, but not really disturbing. Cannibal Holocaust is revolting, it will make all but the hardest hearts have a bit of stomach churn, A Serbian Movie is chilling, it's truly chilling, the most chilling movie I've ever seen, in over-all effect lower than Cannibal Holocaust but it will make your blood run cold unless you are a complete psycho. So I do know why the guy before had a hard time choosing, now you too know why.

Comment by Anonymous

February 19th 2011 19:35

And any of the three previous make the banned movies Mikey and Grotesque in the UK look like U's. Cannibal Holocaust has been unbanned, I wouldn't think A Serbian Movie has even been submitted because, it would just get banned, for the same reasons Grotesque did, but worse.

Comment by Anonymous

February 19th 2011 20:22

Apparently I am wrong, A Serbian Film was permitted in the UK with 8 minutes of cuts. Obviously I saw it uncut. Not sure if the UK film censors are smoking crack or not, but you probably aren't either. Honestly both Cannibal Holocaust and A Serbian Film piss on Grotesque in terms of, being grotesque. There is more gore in Grotesque, but it's not as psychologically disturbing.

Comment by Anonymous

February 19th 2011 21:13

Though judging by the authors list Grotesque would be at 1 or 2 on his own opinion. Just goes to show, what's good for the gander isn't good for the goose.

Comment by Anonymous

February 19th 2011 21:23

Don't watch A Serbian Film cut, it's obvious what they cut and it won't disturb you at all with the cuts.

Comment by Anonymous

February 20th 2011 00:55

Maybe in a few years' time, some company will have the balls to release A Serbian Film uncut.
Unearthed Films maybe?

Comment by Anonymous

February 20th 2011 07:13

U can actually see/ download the uncut version of a Serbian film on the pirate bay.

Comment by Bryn

February 21st 2011 00:02

Horrorphile

Anon, thanks for the comment burst ...
I found Irreversible more disturbing than Cannibal Holocaust, but then the turtle slaughter in CH is absolutely revolting, but it's not simulated, so it's outside my criteria for inclusion.

Comment by fronky

February 21st 2011 01:44

I read somewhere that the blonde actor (Pirkanen?) was crying over the turtle butchering after the scene was shot ...

Comment by Bryn

February 21st 2011 04:47

Horrorphile

fronky, yeah, I read that too somewhere ... It's a hideous cinema moment.

Comment by fronky

February 21st 2011 12:57

People shouldn't go through stuff like that, Deodato was an asshole.
Btw, I read in my Deodato book that a drug dealer in Colombia threatened to kill him if he ever set foot in the country. His filming got in the way of drug dealing apparently.

But to stay on topic, why aren't Cannibal and Philosophy Of A Knife in the list? Or is disturbing not the same as disgusting? I think they're both.

Comment by Bryn

February 21st 2011 23:00

Horrorphile

His list is completely subjective, like any person's list really. Perhaps he'd not seen those movies.
I've seen Cannibal, but not Philosophy of a Knife.
I movie can be disgusting, but not disturbing. And a movie can be disturbing without being disgusting.
For example: Braindead is disgusting in places, but far from disturbing.
Funny Games is very disturbing, but not disgusting.
I use the word "disgusting" to refer to overtly visceral, graphically violent.
And then of course there's the person having their head smashed to a pulp in Irreversible, which is both disturbing and disgusting.

Comment by Bryn

February 21st 2011 23:01

Horrorphile

But that's just my opinion, of course.

Comment by fronky

February 21st 2011 23:28

Ofcourse.

You should try and see Philosophy Of A Knife, it's basically the same stuff as in Men Behind The Sun, but some of the torture is so outrageous it borders on pure exploitation.
And it's more than 4 hours long. O_o

Comment by Bryn

February 22nd 2011 04:51

Horrorphile

I have Men Behind the Sun still to watch, but I've been told Men ... (as opposed to Man ...) is the cut version.

Comment by fronky

February 22nd 2011 15:01

I've got Men Behind The Sun uncut on tape, didn't know there was a difference with Man.
I've seen 18 of the above 25 movies btw.

Comment by Bryn

February 23rd 2011 00:09

Horrorphile

Maybe my version is uncut then ...

Comment by fronky

February 23rd 2011 01:43

Yeah I think so. My tape came from Australia and it says uncut on the box.

Comment by Anonymous

May 21st 2011 23:07

I just saw a movie last week and I don't know what to say about it, then I read this guy/girls review on it and it echoed my feelings perfectly. Its called A Serbian Film and yikes it should be number one on your list as I have seen almost every movie on your list and they are nothing like the last 30 minutes of this movie. Here is the review btw...

Really Long Link

Comment by Bryn

May 22nd 2011 23:41

Horrorphile

Anon, I posted this article a good year before I even knew about A Serbian Film. I have since seen the uncut version. My review is here.

Comment by Bryn

May 22nd 2011 23:41

Horrorphile

Anon, I posted this article a good year before I even knew about A Serbian Film. I have since seen the uncut version. My review is here.

Comment by Anonymous

May 23rd 2011 00:10

Hi,
I wrote the original list about disturbing films at GreenCine. Because A Serbian Film is opening in Boston this weekend (it's kind of amazing that it made it to the screen here) I am writing an article about it for the Boston Phoenix that should be published this coming Thursday, the 25th, and then I think may be posted online. Really enjoying the discussions and reviews of it so far posted here - when I originally made the list it had not come out yet and could not be included. But am working on an expanded list for book form, and A Serbian Film will definitely be right up there!

Comment by Bryn

May 23rd 2011 04:13

Horrorphile

Hi Simon,
Curious to know if the version opening in Boston is cut or not.

Comment by Anonymous

June 7th 2011 15:02

Bryn,
I'm not sure if the version shown in Boston is cut or uncut - but my tendency is to think it was the uncensored version. Here is the article from the Phoenix on A Serbian Film:

Really Long Link

Simon