15 People Share the Movie So Disturbing They Couldn’t Get Through It
There is a time for every hardcore movie fan, particularly during their teen years, where they are dared (by themselves or others) to watch harrowing films. These are movies with subject matters, content, or just vibes that make them near impossible to watch all the way through.
Different users of Reddit came together to share their experiences, including the movies that made them take a break before finishing them, if they finished them at all. Consider this list not a dare for you to follow in their footsteps, but a fair warning to avoid most if not all of these movies.
Inside
Part of the New French Extremity movement, Inside has earned a reputation as one of the most intense horror films ever made. Its relentless atmosphere and uncompromising violence have caused countless viewers to abandon it before the credits roll.
The Last House on the Left
Wes Craven’s debut remains one of horror’s most controversial films. Its raw filmmaking style and deeply upsetting subject matter continue to make it an exceptionally difficult watch for many audiences.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The original Swedish adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s novel is widely praised for its performances and faithful storytelling. At the same time, its bleak atmosphere and disturbing subject matter make it an emotionally demanding watch that many viewers struggle to finish.
The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez
This true crime documentary series chronicles a heartbreaking real-life case that many find emotionally unbearable. Its devastating subject matter makes it one of the most difficult documentaries to watch from beginning to end.
Watership Down
Although animated, Watership Down is far from a typical family film. Its surprisingly dark tone and unsettling imagery have traumatized unsuspecting viewers for generations.
Threads
This British television film presents the aftermath of nuclear war with chilling realism. Its relentlessly bleak depiction of societal collapse has left many viewers emotionally drained long before the final scene.
Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom
Pier Paolo Pasolini’s controversial drama remains infamous for its shocking content and political themes. Its disturbing imagery has made it one of cinema’s most notoriously difficult films to sit through.
I Spit on Your Grave
Known as one of exploitation cinema’s most controversial titles, I Spit on Your Grave pushes audiences with prolonged scenes of brutality that many find too upsetting to continue watching.
Cannibal Holocaust
Few horror films have generated as much controversy as Cannibal Holocaust. Its graphic violence, documentary presentation, and inclusion of real animal deaths continue to make it an especially challenging experience.
Bone Tomahawk
What begins as a slow-burning western gradually transforms into brutal horror. One particularly infamous sequence has become legendary for catching audiences completely off guard with its graphic violence.
Ghosts of Rwanda
This PBS documentary examines the Rwandan genocide through firsthand accounts and historical footage. Its emotionally devastating subject matter makes it an incredibly difficult viewing experience despite its historical importance.
A Serbian Film
Few films have achieved the notorious reputation of A Serbian Film. Its deliberately shocking content has made it a benchmark for extreme cinema and one that many viewers simply cannot finish.
Free Solo
Not every entry discussed on the thread was horror-themed, as shown by the inclusion of Free Solo. The documentary’s real-life footage of Alex Honnold climbing without ropes creates an overwhelming sense of anxiety that some viewers find physically unbearable.
The Impossible
Based on the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, The Impossible recreates the disaster with remarkable realism. Its relentless tension and emotional intensity can be overwhelming, particularly for viewers affected by real-world tragedies.
The Road
Starring Viggo Mortensen, The Road depicts a father and son’s struggle through a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Its crushing atmosphere and persistent sense of hopelessness make it one of the bleakest survival films ever made.