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I, like a lot of people am desensitized to movies. I like extreme movies with shock factor and disturbing content. The main reason being, it's very difficult to pull off. Many directors have tried and failed miserably. Some to the point where their attempt to disturb people developed a cult following due to unintentional humour.
I don't watch many new releases anymore. I used to keep on top of the hype in certain film festivals but I don't really have time anymore. I'm wondering what I've missed. Anyway, here's what I'd consider the top 10: (I've been careful not to include spoilers in case anybody feels inclined to watch the films)
10. Visitor Q (2001)
Probably Takashi Miike's craziest piece of work apart from perhaps Gozu. A mysterious man visits a dysfunctional family, taking residence in their home. Things go from drug addiction, prostitution, violence, neglect and incest to to a completely new level. The absurdity is almost comedic at times.
9. Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) (2011)
Not a very good film to be honest. In its defense, it's really gnarly and quite believable. Shot in black and white, I was surprised at how far the torture scenes went. The movie lacks substance and plot but achieves the shock value it set out to. It had just enough substance and plot to be effective in that way.
8. Taxidermia (2006)
A Hungarian film covering three generations of pure misery. There aren't that many graphically disturbing scenes but the sheer bleakness of this film makes most people's stomach turn.
7. Pink Flamingos (1972)
John Waters' prophetic classic pulls no punches. Rival families/gangs leave their dignities at the door as they compete to be the 'filthiest people alive'. Very similar to the lengths people go to these days to achieve fame through reality TV.
6. Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
If you haven't seen this movie, it's easy to dismiss it due to its title. In actual fact it's a thinking person's spatter movie. It raises moral issues and the groundbreaking special FX at the time are still not too dated to this day. Films like The Blair Witch Project and [rec] wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Cannibal Holocaust.
5. Threads (1984)
Originally released as a semi-educational film on the BBC in the UK, was banned after 2 screenings for being "too distressing". The film depicts the potential aftermath of a nuclear conflict. From the impact, to the fallout, to attempting to rebuild society afterwards. It raised paranoia towards the Soviet Union in the general population, which played a part in its withdrawal from TV.
4. In A Glass Cage (1986)
A Spanish film also known as Tras el Cristal. A Spanish Nazi war criminal attempts suicide at the end of the second world war and is injured severely. He lives inside an iron lung which keeps him alive. A young boy who he sexually abused returns with his war diaries intent on revenge. He goes insane and begins to act out the subject matter he reads in his abuser's war diaries.
3. Irreversible (2002)
One horrific night in Paris told in reverse chronological order. The way it's filmed is nauseating regardless of the content. You basically see the bleak conclusion and then the rest of the film establishes how it got to that point. I felt like I needed a bath after this one.
2. A Serbian Film (2010)
Obviously this film got a lot of hype because of one scene (which was pure shock value and bore no relevance to the plot). Despite this, A Serbian Film did what it said on the tin and was a pretty good movie. A retired pornstar takes an ominous last job which would set him and his family up for life. What happens next has to be seen to be believed.
1. August Underground's Mordum (2003)
Toe Tag Productions are a special FX company that have done work on several Hollywood blockbusters. The August Underground trilogy was a side project. The first movie was underwhelming, the third was terrible, but the second, Mordum worked. It follows three serial killers around on the shakycam. It's brutal and very believable. Every taboo imaginable is broken in this film. It's not an experience to be enjoyed.
One movie that is always mentioned quite highly in these discussions is Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom. It's boring and dated. If you want to be disturbed by the actions of the Marquis de Sade, read about it. The movie really isn't much to write home about.
What's the most disturbing movie you've seen? Do you disagree with my list? Discuss.
I don't watch many new releases anymore. I used to keep on top of the hype in certain film festivals but I don't really have time anymore. I'm wondering what I've missed. Anyway, here's what I'd consider the top 10: (I've been careful not to include spoilers in case anybody feels inclined to watch the films)
10. Visitor Q (2001)
Probably Takashi Miike's craziest piece of work apart from perhaps Gozu. A mysterious man visits a dysfunctional family, taking residence in their home. Things go from drug addiction, prostitution, violence, neglect and incest to to a completely new level. The absurdity is almost comedic at times.
9. Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) (2011)
Not a very good film to be honest. In its defense, it's really gnarly and quite believable. Shot in black and white, I was surprised at how far the torture scenes went. The movie lacks substance and plot but achieves the shock value it set out to. It had just enough substance and plot to be effective in that way.
8. Taxidermia (2006)
A Hungarian film covering three generations of pure misery. There aren't that many graphically disturbing scenes but the sheer bleakness of this film makes most people's stomach turn.
7. Pink Flamingos (1972)
John Waters' prophetic classic pulls no punches. Rival families/gangs leave their dignities at the door as they compete to be the 'filthiest people alive'. Very similar to the lengths people go to these days to achieve fame through reality TV.
6. Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
If you haven't seen this movie, it's easy to dismiss it due to its title. In actual fact it's a thinking person's spatter movie. It raises moral issues and the groundbreaking special FX at the time are still not too dated to this day. Films like The Blair Witch Project and [rec] wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Cannibal Holocaust.
5. Threads (1984)
Originally released as a semi-educational film on the BBC in the UK, was banned after 2 screenings for being "too distressing". The film depicts the potential aftermath of a nuclear conflict. From the impact, to the fallout, to attempting to rebuild society afterwards. It raised paranoia towards the Soviet Union in the general population, which played a part in its withdrawal from TV.
4. In A Glass Cage (1986)
A Spanish film also known as Tras el Cristal. A Spanish Nazi war criminal attempts suicide at the end of the second world war and is injured severely. He lives inside an iron lung which keeps him alive. A young boy who he sexually abused returns with his war diaries intent on revenge. He goes insane and begins to act out the subject matter he reads in his abuser's war diaries.
3. Irreversible (2002)
One horrific night in Paris told in reverse chronological order. The way it's filmed is nauseating regardless of the content. You basically see the bleak conclusion and then the rest of the film establishes how it got to that point. I felt like I needed a bath after this one.
2. A Serbian Film (2010)
Obviously this film got a lot of hype because of one scene (which was pure shock value and bore no relevance to the plot). Despite this, A Serbian Film did what it said on the tin and was a pretty good movie. A retired pornstar takes an ominous last job which would set him and his family up for life. What happens next has to be seen to be believed.
1. August Underground's Mordum (2003)
Toe Tag Productions are a special FX company that have done work on several Hollywood blockbusters. The August Underground trilogy was a side project. The first movie was underwhelming, the third was terrible, but the second, Mordum worked. It follows three serial killers around on the shakycam. It's brutal and very believable. Every taboo imaginable is broken in this film. It's not an experience to be enjoyed.
One movie that is always mentioned quite highly in these discussions is Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom. It's boring and dated. If you want to be disturbed by the actions of the Marquis de Sade, read about it. The movie really isn't much to write home about.
What's the most disturbing movie you've seen? Do you disagree with my list? Discuss.
