A guide to disturbing cinema

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A Guide To Disturbing Cinema
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Disclaimer a): The following is a comprehensive list of the most shocking, deranged and psychologically disturbing films of the last fifty years. This is far from a conclusive or definitive list but simply the opinions of the author and various other movie-goers. If you are looking for films which are morebrutal, in terms of content, than titles such as Hostel and Saw then I'd suggest starting with the first few on the list and work your way up. For the more hardcore audience then get straight down to the last five on the list.

Disclaimer b): The following list has been created as a reference point for those who are interested in shock cinema. This means that many of the acts depicted in the filmwill be listed and may, in some cases, contain spoilers or 'soften the blow'. If you are simply looking for titles to try out then you will find the movie names highlighted in bold and a link to their IMDb page. The list will flow in order of bad to worse.
For the purpose of this article we will be using the following rating system which is relevant to the content and not the quality of the film.* = Uncomfortable
** = Shocking
*** = Sick
**** = Extremely Disturbing
***** = Thoroughly Depraved

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Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer
1986 - USA
Synopsis:
Based on the true story of the serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, the film follows two drifters, Henry and Otis, while they set off on a spree ofmurder, rape and theft.
Shock Value:
- The film depicts incestous vaginal and anal rape, although the scenes are not visually graphic.
- Henry and Otis take a family hostage in their own home (ala Funny Games). They sexually abuse and humiliate the wife before killing the whole family.
- Other murders included are electrocution and strangulation, which are shown on screen.
Overall:
Veryunsettling at times but is essentially disturbing only in a psychological sense rather than a gore-fest. Especially as the film is based on true events.
Rating: *
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Braindead
1992 - AUS
Synopsis:
A young man's mother is bitten by a Sumatran rat-monkey. She gets sick and dies, at which time she comes back to life,killing and eating dogs, nurses, friends, and neighbors.
Shock Value:
- Full-on Zombie sex.
- A lawnmower used to kill hundreds of zombies.
- The remains of an eaten German Sheppard.
- A zombified baby being kicked and beaten.
- Literally hundreds of inventive and graphic deaths involving blenders, cleavers, knives and other household objects.
Overall:
Prehaps one of the goriest filmsever produced but the film is essentially a comedy. More likely to put you off your food (especially custard) than give you nightmares.
Rating: **
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Man Bites Dog
1992 - BEL
Synopsis:
A camera crew follows a serial killer/thief around as he exercises his craft and as a result they inevitably become more involvedwith his work.
Shock Value:
- Very realistic executions of civilians including an elderly lady and a train passenger.
- Gang-bang rape and the disembowlment of a woman.
- Full frontal nudity, both male and female.
- Child-murder.
Overall:
This mockumentary style film tries to create the illusion that the killings shown on screen are real. And for the most part they do seem realisticbut, as with a few movies on this list, the film is hilarious and therefore dispells the realism.
Rating: **
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Visitor Q
2001 - JAP
Synopsis:
A strange young man visits the even stranger Yamazaki family in order to bring them closer together (through breast feeding).
Shock Value:
- A father filming himself...