Buzz
This list was born out of frustration from disturbing movie lovers who are tired of hearing the same suggestions like A Clockwork Orange, Midsommar, and A Serbian Film. We’ve experienced those. It’s time for something fresh.
If you crave violence, gore, or an unsettling atmosphere, then you’ve landed in the right place. We've dug deep to find the most bizarre films guaranteed to make you cringe and squirm.
CAUTION: The trailers included contain disturbing imagery. Viewer discretion is advised, especially if children may be exposed to the content.
10. Slaughtered Vomit Dolls, 2006, directed by Lucifer Valentine
This is certainly a daring entry for our list. Brace yourself for a bizarre, grotesque, exploitation horror. Slaughtered Vomit Dolls follows Angela Aberdeen, a teenage stripper-turned-prostitute battling severe bulimia. As her condition worsens, she descends into horrific hallucinations and satanic nightmares, where she witnesses the gruesome deaths of her friends, fellow strippers, and those around her.
If you have a delicate stomach, I’d advise skipping this one, but let's be real – you're probably here for just that! If no movie has truly disgusted you yet, this will be the perfect introduction.
9. Sick: The Life & Death of Bob Flanagan, Supermasochist, 1997, Kirby Dick
For a real-life tale that will make you laugh, squirm, and possibly even bring you to tears, look no further than Sick: The Life & Death of Bob Flanagan, Supermasochist. This documentary tells the story of Bob Flanagan, an artist and performer with cystic fibrosis who also happens to be a sadomasochist. To him, BDSM is a form of therapy used to regain control over his body, which he feels is slipping away. This film offers a welcome break from the usual gore and violence of this genre. Flanagan’s agreement to include his death in the project just adds to the strange allure of the film. It’s a raw, oddly human experience that will leave you stunned when the credits roll.
8. The 120 Days of Sodom, 1975, Pier Paolo Pasolini
This gripping drama set during World War II is not for the weak-hearted. A group of eighteen teenagers are captured by cruel fascist captors, forced to endure an agonizing ordeal lasting one hundred and twenty days. The film is marked by brutal scenes of mental, physical, and sexual torment, featuring high-impact violence and shocking degradation.
A powerful, thought-provoking piece of media that has sparked intense debate. This film is as politically charged as it is shocking, offering a mix of horror with deep-rooted themes of politics. If you're a fan of horror with a political edge, this movie will certainly captivate you.
7. Guinea Pig: Flower of Flesh and Blood, 1985, Hideshi Hino
The second film in the Guinea Pig series, this installment is widely regarded as one of the most disturbing of all. Known for the real-life controversies it inspired, including allegations of it being a snuff film, it even attracted the attention of Charlie Sheen, who believed it was an actual murder video and alerted the FBI. The plot revolves around a masked assailant who kidnaps a woman, tortures her, and arranges her body into a grotesque display—a 'flower of flesh and blood.' Despite its grim nature, it is notorious for the chilling conspiracies it spawned. Even seasoned fans of disturbing cinema will find themselves horrified by its content.
6. The Snowtown Murders, 2011, Justin Kurzel
Few things heighten a moviegoer's expectations more than the phrase 'based on true events.' This is what makes The Snowtown Murders so unsettling. This film recounts one of Australia's most infamous serial killer cases, filled with incest, pedophilia, murder, and other horrifying acts that make it difficult to watch. The story centers on Jamie, a 16-year-old boy, who is taken in by his mother’s boyfriend. Together, they create a self-appointed 'neighborhood watch,' targeting pedophiles and homosexuals. Their violent vigilante actions spiral into abuse and murder, weaving a dark tale of manipulation and familial corruption. Crikey . . .
5. I Spit on Your Grave, 1978, Meir Zarchi
For fans of revenge thrillers, I Spit on Your Grave is a must-see. This film stirred controversy due to its brutal and graphic portrayal of gang rape, which occupies a significant portion of the movie’s runtime. The protagonist, an aspiring writer who survives a brutal attack by four men, seeks vengeance on each of them one by one. The film is inspired by a real-life rape incident in New York City. It’s raw, violent, and undeniably graphic—complete with scenes of disembowelment!
4. Visitor Q, 2001, Takashi Miike
Released alongside the more widely recognized Ichi the Killer (see bonus item), Visitor Q shares a focus on sexual deviance and extreme violence. This film revolves around a dysfunctional family whose already perverse lives are further complicated by the arrival of a mysterious stranger.
This film features explicit sexual content, incest, and brutal violence. Shot in a 'home movie' style, the documentary-like approach only intensifies the unsettling, discomforting tone that pervades throughout the film.
3. Vase de Notes (Wedding Trough), 1974, Thierry Zéno
Reserving the most shocking for last... Though this is the oldest film on the list, it’s by no means the least disturbing. Wedding Trough has been dubbed by many (very accurate) titles. It tells the story of a mentally challenged farmer who forms an inappropriate bond with a pig. He rapes the animal, impregnates it, and then, upon the birth of deformed piglets, hangs them. This grotesque film is driven by shocking imagery designed to deeply unsettle the audience.
The movie includes both real and simulated animal cruelty, zoophilia, and coprophagia. A volatile and extreme work, it is likely to repulse even the most hardened fans of disturbing cinema.
+8MM, 1999, Joel Schemacher
This film, along with the following bonus entry, is included simply because they are too disturbing to omit from a list like this. These are close contenders that just missed the top 10 due to their overwhelming recognition in the disturbing film genre.
It’s rare to find well-known stars in disturbing films, but both Nicolas Cage and Joaquin Phoenix star in the next entry. 8MM follows private investigator Tom Welles, who is hired by a widow to investigate a 'snuff film' found among her deceased husband’s possessions. Welles’ job is to determine if the film is real. The film is a mystery-thriller that explores the emotional distress and inner turmoil of its characters. While it’s less extreme than some other picks on this list, the unsettling subject matter makes it an eerie watch. It’s a high-quality film often overlooked by newcomers to disturbing cinema, and a definite 'must-see'—even for those with gentler temperaments who can handle it better than other films here.
2. Murder-Set-Pieces, 2004, Nick Palumbo
A fashion photographer by day and a rapist and murderer by night, Murder-Set-Pieces follows a German serial killer in America. The photographer’s twisted childhood follows him into adulthood, fueling his violent acts. He lures women to pose for him under the pretense of a photo shoot, only to rape, torture, and kill them, documenting the entire grisly experience. The raw brutality of the film is what gives it notoriety and it’s why it’s been censored in several countries and banned in the UK (always a promising indicator for fans of disturbing films).
1. Michael, 2011, Markus Schleinzer and Kathrin Resetarits
Michael is a deeply unsettling slice of life film. If we can call it that, it tracks the life of a pedophile who holds a 10-year-old boy, Wolfgang, captive in his basement for five months. The film is intensely distressing, leaving viewers on edge, filled with suspense and horror. The relationship between Michael and Wolfgang unfolds with a twisted father-son dynamic, which only heightens the horror as the truth behind their connection becomes clear. The film's shocking cliffhanger ending leaves the audience in a state of shock and deep discomfort.
++ Ichi the Killer, 2001, directed by Takashi Miike
This film stands as one of the most renowned in this collection, and rightfully so, as it showcases undeniable brilliance. Yet, despite its excellence, it is still frequently excluded from many disturbing movie lists. Ichi the Killer, another entry by Takashi Miike, follows Kakihara, a sadomasochistic enforcer for the yakuza. While on the hunt for his missing boss, Kakihara encounters Ichi, a psychotic killer. The sadistic violence that Ichi inflicts upon Kakihara is truly unforgettable. For anyone looking for a film drenched in graphic violence, sexual perversion, and anarchistic chaos, Ichi the Killer is my top recommendation.
This film has gained infamy for being banned outright in several countries, largely due to its graphic content. Beyond the shocking violence, it is the neon, retro aesthetic that makes the film a visceral experience. It's a neon-soaked whirlwind of violence and adrenaline that keeps the viewer hooked.
