Don’t get me wrong, I love disturbing cinema… to an extent. I have watched some really effed up movies (most of them alone because no one of a sound mind would want to experience them with me) and while I have become desensitised to some forms of extreme horror, there are a small number of films that I simply refuse to watch. Through reading synopsises, watching other people’s reviews, and some minor snippets of the film, I have decided these movies in particular would cross certain boundaries for me.

Please do not read on if you are easily disturbed or sensitive to extreme horror elements.

For obvious reasons, I cannot go into extreme detail as to why I can’t or won’t watch these films, many are too brutal or disgusting to read – but if you are curious, many of their plots are available to read on Wikipedia.

The Human Centipede 2 (2011)

Being a particularly well known franchise, maybe you’re surprised I haven’t watched this. I have, however, seen the first and third instalments which I think only scratched the surface of being disturbing compared to the second film. My reasoning for this one is the grotesque rape scene, graphic new born kill, and obvious mutilation of butt holes and use of faeces… I did watch the ‘behind-the-scenes’ video on YouTube which perhaps relaxed the disturbing nature of the film; because at the end of the day, it’s all special effects and a bunch of goofy actors up for something wild. It doesn’t change the fact that I’m still not going subject myself to this kind of movie.

A Serbian Film (2010)

A notorious film in the disturbing genre. I can’t bring myself to describe what’s so wrong with this film. I have read up on the plotline and watched a few clips – that alone was enough to effect me. I believe the film is banned in a few major countries – and so it should be. In my opinion, it is a dangerous piece of film that could inspire crimes of a truly sick and twisted nature. The plot follows retired porn star who is tricked into numerous snuff and torture films; it dabbles in incest, necrophilia, paedophilia, and extreme sexual violence. I would put a serious trigger warning on this one. Actually, I’m going to tell you to just not watch this one.

Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1976)

Directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini, this Italian “art” film is perhaps one of the most infamously disgusting films to exist. It’s a nightmare of sexual abuse, capitalism, fascism, and sadism – with a dash of paedophilia. As expected, the film is banned in many countries, and it’s definitely the kind of film you’d wish you could unsee once you’ve witnessed it. The film delves into the extreme animalistic nature that resides within some human beings; and how a lack of morals and dignity can influence those to commit extreme and disturbing acts against others. I’ve watched a couple of clips and know it’s just not for me.

Megan Is Missing (2011)

TikTok unfortunately brought this film back into the limelight, and as an obvious result, a bunch a youngsters traumatised themselves. So please, don’t do everything TikTok tells you to (duh). I have seen clips from this movie, and while I could maybe watch it, I know it wouldn’t sit right with me for an extended period of time. This is a found footage horror (which as you know, I love) but maybe those should be left to paranormal and slasher pieces. The director, Michael Goi, based the film on a series of real-life child abductions. The young actors in the film required parental guidance on set so that they were aware of its extreme graphic nature. It dabbles in child sexual abuse, online torture p*rn, and an extremely disturbing end scene involving a barrel. People against the movie are concerned about copycat killers and kidnappers being inspired by its gruesome contents.

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

This one I have technically seen, but had I known then what I know now, there is no way in hell I would’ve watched this. Graphic sexual assault, cannibalism, and torture aside – this film shows real, genuine animal cruelty towards a turtle, a squirrel monkey, a coati, a tarantula, a snake, and a piglet. These poor, defenceless animals are killed in graphic detail onscreen, hence why the film was banned in multiple countries, and for suspicions that it was a genuine snuff film against the young found footage actors. I switched the film off once mutilation between the legs got involved – it was a difficult watch, and one I wouldn’t have gone anywhere near had I known about the animal abuse. Unbelievably, you can watch this film on Amazon Prime.

August Underground’s Mordum (2003)

This horror exploitation film created by Toetag Pictures is a highly realistic faux snuff film that follows serial killers Peter, Crusty, and Maggot. I managed a mere twenty minutes before switching it off and deciding it was going to cause me severe psychological damage if I made it all the way through. There is extreme sexual violence and mutilation in this film, plus necrophilia and child death. The cinematography (or maybe lack of?) has this movie feeling far too realistic.

So if you really think you’re hard enough for these grotesque cinematic nightmares, then try testing your horror threshold. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. There is a magnitude of disturbing film out there, but for today, this is my limit on writing about them. Co-director, Fred Vogel, was actually arrested pending charges of transporting obscene materials in Canada.

Irréversible (2002)

This French experimental psychological thriller film directed by Gaspar Noé is one of the most-walked-out movies in 2002. Its nine minute brutal rape scene, filmed in one continuous unbroken shot, had viewers leaving in disgust. Sexual violence in film is a tricky one for me, I can handle it in small doses, but nine whole minutes is absurd. The also uses Sensurround – an intentional use of low-frequency sound to create a state of nausea and anxiety in the audience. Combine that with graphic violence and sexual attacks, and you’re going to create a highly disturbing piece of cinema. It’s a no from me.

The list for disturbing cinema is much more extensive than most realise, and there’s of course many other films I (most likely) wouldn’t watch. So please like and comment if you’d like a part 2 to this post.