DVD Smurf

The Disturbing Movies, Film, and Cinema Thread!

Disturbing movies, films, and cinema are frequently discussed in several different threads on DVDTalk’s forum. From this information, i.e., previous posts and threads, I gathered that this is an interesting theme to many DVDTalkers so I thought that I should take the liberties to gather most of the current information on the topic disturbing film. However, before I undertake this immense task I think I should bring about what disturbing entails in regards to many DVDTalkers and simplify its meaning.

According to Merriam-Websters Online Dictionary…
Disturbing
Main Entry: dis·turb
Pronunciation: di-'st&rb
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English disturben, destourben, from Old French & Latin; Old French destourber, from Latin disturbare, from dis- + turbare to throw into disorder, from turba disorder -- more at TURBID
transitive senses
1 a : to interfere with : INTERRUPT b : to alter the position or arrangement of c : to upset the natural and especially the ecological balance or relations of <land disturbed by dumping>
2 a : to destroy the tranquillity or composure of b : to throw into disorder c : ALARM d : to put to inconvenience
intransitive senses : to cause disturbance
synonym see DISCOMPOSE
- dis·turb·er noun
- dis·turb·ing·ly /-'st&r-bi[ng]-lE/ adverb

Here in this thread we will argue that disturbing means anything that violates the normalcy of daily life, which includes biological, psychological, social (also political and economical) and spiritual harmony. In other words, anything that could upsets the movie, film, and cinema audience. The issue of the disturbing element will be related to movies, films, and cinema. Hopefully, this thread will function as a resource for those who seek movies, films, and cinema with disturbing elements of any kind.

Previous Links to Disturbing Movies, Film, and Cinema:

Disturbing Flicks For A Halloween Party-Recommendations. (10-21-03) by Max
help me find a scary horror movie (08-07-03) by Cornholio
Looking for a good gory movie (10-21-03) by vice86
Looking for Bizzare movie recomendations... (01-14-03) by waskydiver
More Italian horror recommendations – don’t want to give up yet!!! (06-02-04) by Rival11
Most Disturbing Films Of All Time? (07-31-01) by Seagraves
The most disturbing scene in cinema's history (04-12-03) by jhoon
The most violent movie ever made? (02-01-03) by Rypro 525
SCARIEST movie you have ever seen?? (01-13-04) by Mantecore
Suggestions For Disturbing Movies (12-31-02) by Max
Wanted: Extreme Cinema Director Suggestions (05-16-03) by spoon81
Weirdest Movie Ever (06-29-03) by Rypro 525
Were/are there such a thing as SNUFF films? (10-17-03) by immortal_zeus
What is the goriest, most actual horrifying Horror movie on DVD? (05-10-04) by scott1598
What's the most "troubling" DVD you own? (01-24-02) by Xytraguptorh
Whats the most disturbing movie you've seen (01-23-04) by MisterMidnite
Word Search: Disturbing (05-22-04) by DVD Smurf
Worst deaths (02-14-03) by Milt Fargus

400 Mentioned Films that were Disturbing:
12 MONKEYS (1995)
1984 (1984)
28 DAYS LATER… (2002)
4TH MAN (1983)
ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES (1971)
ACCUSED (1988)
ACID HOUSE (1998)
ACT OF SEEING WITH ONE'S OWN EYES (1971)
AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD (1972)
ALICE (1988)
ALL NIGHT LONG (1992)
ALL NIGHT LONG 2 (1995)
ALL NIGHT LONG 3 (1996)
ALL NIGHT LONG 4 (2002)
ALL NIGHT LONG 5 (2003)
ALTERED STATES (1980)
AMERICAN HISTORY X (1998)
AMERICAN PSYCHO (2000)
ANDREI RUBLEV (1969)
ANDY WARHOL'S BAD (1977)
ANDY WARHOL'S FLESH (1968)
ANDY WARHOL'S HEAT (1972)
ANDY WARHOL'S TRASH (1970)
ANGEL HEART (1987)
ANGER MANAGEMENT (2003)
ANGST (1983)
ANTONIA'S LINE (1995)
ANTROPOPHAGUS (1980)
APARTMENT ZERO (1988)
APOCALYPSE NOW (1979)
APT PUPIL (1998)
ARCHANGEL (2002)
AUDITION (2000)
AUGUST UNDERGROUND (2001)
BABY OF MÂCON (1993)
BAD LIEUTENANT (1992)
BAD TASTE (1987)
BAISE-MOI (2000)
BARAKA (1992)
BARTON FINK (1991)
BASTARD OUT OF CAROLINA (1996)
BATTLE ROYALE (2000)
BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR AND HUMANITY (1973)
BEGOTTEN (1991)
BEING JOHN MALKOVICH (1999)
BELLE DE JOUR (1967)
BENNY'S VIDEO (1992)
BEYOND (1981)
BITTER MOON (1992)
BLADE RUNNER (1982)
BLEEDER (1999)
BLOOD FREAK! (1972)
BLOODSUCKING FREAKS (1976)
BLUE VELVET (1986)
BORN FOR HELL (1976)
BOXING HELENA (1993)
BOY'S DON'T CRY (1999)
BRAINDEAD (1992)
BRANDED TO KILL (1967)
BRAZIL (1985)
BREAKING THE WAVES (1996)
BRITANNIA HOSPITAL (1982)
BROOD (1979)
BULLY (2001)
BURNING (1981)
CABIN FEVER
CALIGULA
CANNIBAL FEROX
CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST
CAPTURING THE FRIEDMANS
CAREFUL
CELL
CEMENT GARDEN
CHANGELING
CHILD I NEVER WAS
CHUCK & BUCK
CITY OF GOD
CITY OF LOST CHILDREN
CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD
CLEAN, SHAVEN
CLOCKWORK ORANGE
CLOSET LAND
COMBAT SHOCK
COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE, AND HER LOVER
CRASH
CREEPSHOW
CREMASTER CYCLE
CRIES AND WHISPERS
CRIMES OF PASSION
CRONOS
CRUISING
CRYING GAME
CUBE
CUBE 2: HYPERCUBE
CURE
CUTTING MOMENTS
CYCLO
DAMNED (1969)
DARK HABITS
DAWN OF THE DEAD
DEAD OR ALIVE
DEAD OR ALIVE FINAL
DEAD RINGERS
DEATH AND THE MAIDEN
DEATH BECOMES HER
DEEP RED
DEEP THROAT
DEER HUNTER
DELICATESSEN
DELIVERENCE
DELLAMORTE DELLAMORE
DER FAN (1982)
DEVILS
DEVIL'S BACKBONE
DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE
DONNIE DARKO
DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK
DON'T LOOK NOW
DOOM GENERATION
DR. LAMB
DRAUGHTSMAN'S CONTRACT
DRESSED TO KILL
DRILLER KILLER
EBOLA SYNDROME
EL MAR
EL TOPO
ELEMENT OF CRIME
ELEPHANT
ENTRAILS OF A VIRGIN
EQUUS
ERASERHEAD
EUROPA EUROPA
EVEN DWARFS STARTED SMALL
EVENT HORIZON
EVIL (2003)
EVIL DEAD
EVIL DEAD II
EVIL DEAD TRAP
EXISTENZ
EXIT TO EDEN
EXORCIST
EXORCIST III
EXTERMINATING ANGEL (1962)
EYE
FACES OF DEATH
FANDO Y LIS
FANTASTIC PLANET
FAT GIRL (À MA SOEUR!)
FELLINI SATYRICON
FIGHT CLUB
FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE
FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN
FLY
FORBIDDEN ZONE
FORCED ENTRY
FREAKS
FRIDAY THE 13TH
FUDOH: THE NEW GENERATION (1996)
FULL METAL JACKET
FUNNY GAMES
GEORGE WASHINGTON
GODS MUST BE CRAZY
GOOD LAWYER'S WIFE
GOODBYE UNCLE TOM
GOODBYE UNCLE TOM (1971)
GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES
GRAVEYARD OF HONOR
GUINEA PIG SERIES
GUMMO
HALLOWEEN
HANNIBAL
HAPPINESS
HAPPY END
HARDCORE (1979)
HAUTE TENSION AKA SWITCHBLADE ROMANCE
HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT
HELLRAISER
HELL'S HIGHWAY - THE TRUE STORY OF HIGHWAY SAFETY FILMS
HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER
HI, TERESKA (2001)
HITCHER
HOLY MOUNTAIN
HOUR OF THE WOLF
HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES
HOUSE OF FOOLS
HOUSE OF THE DEAD
I DRINK YOUR BLOOD
I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE
I STAND ALONE
I WILL WALK LIKE A CRAZY HORSE
ICHI THE KILLER
IDIOTS
ILSA, SHE WOLF OF THE SS
IN A GLASS CAGE
IN MY SKIN
IN THE COMPANY OF MEN
IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES
IRREVERSIBLE
ISLE
JACOB'S LADDER
JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH
JUDAS PROJECT
JULIEN DONKEY BOY
JUNGLE HOLOCAUST
JU-ON: THE GRUDGE
KAFKA
KAÏRO
KEEPING IT REAL: THE ADVENTURES OF GREG WALLOCH
KEN PARK
KIDS
KILLING OF AMERICA
L.I.E.
L’HUMANITÉ
LA RUPTURE
LAS HURDES (LAND WITHOUT BREAD)
LAST BROADCAST
LAST HOUSE ON DEAD END STREET
LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT
LAST TANGO IN PARIS
LE TEMPS DU LOUP
LEGEND OF THE OVERFIEND
LEOLO
LIQUID SKY
LITTLE OTIK
LOS OLVIDADOS
LOST HIGHWAY
LOVE ME DEADLY
LUCKER
MACBETH
MAGDALENE SISTERS (2002)
MAMMA ROMA (1962)
MAN BEHIND THE SUN
MAN BITES DOG
MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH
MANIAC
MARARÍA
MARQUIS
MARTIN
MAUVAISES FRÉQUENTATIONS
MAY
MEET THE FEEBLES
MEMENTO
MEMENTO MORI
MEMORIES OF MURDER (2003)
MEN BEHIND THE SUN
MIDNIGHT EXPRESS
MOLHOLLAND DRIVE
MOMMIE DEAREST
MONSTER
MORDUM
MOSQUITO DER SCHAENDER
MOTHER'S DAY
MOULIN ROUGE
MULHOLLAND DRIVE
MUTE WITNESS
NAKED
NAKED KILLER
NAKED LUNCH
NAPOLEAN DYNAMITE (2004)
NATURAL BORN KILLERS
NEKROMANTIK
NEKROMANTIK 2
NEW YORK RIPPER
NIGHT AND FOG
NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
NIGHT PORTER
NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
NONHOSONNO
OF FREAKS AND MEN
OLDBOY
OMEN
ONE HUNDRED AND ONE NIGHTS
OPEN YOUR EYES (ABRE LOS OJOS)
OPERA
ORLANDO
OSAMA
OUT OF THE BLUE
PARENTS
PEEPING TOM
PERFECT BLUE
PERSONA
PI
PIANIST
PIANO TEACHER
PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK
PIECES
PINK FLAMINGOES
PINK FLOYD: THE WALL
PIXOTE
PLACE WITHOUT LIMITS
PLATOON
POISON
POSSESSION
PRINCE OF DARKNESS
PROSPERO'S BOOKS
RABID
RAPTURE
RATCATCHER
RAVENOUS
RE-ANIMATOR
REFLECTING SKIN
REPO MAN
REPULSION
REQUIEM FOR A DREAM
RESERVOIR DOGS (1992)
RING
RINGU
RINGU 2
ROMPER STOMPER
ROSEMARY'S BABY
RULING CLASS
SAFE
SALO, THE 120 DAYS OF SODOM
SANTA SANGRE (1989)
SARAGOSSA MANUSCRIPT
SCARFACE
SCHINDLER'S LIST
SE7EN
SECONDS
SERIES 7
SESSION 9
SEVENTH CONTINENT
SHINING
SHIVERS
SHOCK CORRIDOR
SHOWGIRLS
SICK: THE LIFE & DEATH OF BOB FLANAGAN, SUPERMASOCHIST
SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE
SOCIETY
SONGS FROM THE SECOND FLOOR
SPOORLOOS (VANISHING)
ST. JOHN'S WORT
STALKER
STAR OF DAVID
STENDHAL SYNDROME
STORY OF RICKY
STORYTELLING (2001)
STRAW DOGS
SUICIDE CLUB
SUSPIRIA
SWEET MOVIE
SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE.
TATTOO
TAXI DRIVER
TELL ME SOMETHING
TENEBRE
TENNANT
TERROR FIRMER
TESUO II
TESUO:THE IRON MAN
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE
THEATRE OF BLOOD
THESIS
THING
THIRTEEN
THIRTEEN GHOSTS
THREADS
THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY
TIN DRUM
TITUS
TRACES OF DEATH SERIES
TRAINSPOTTING
TROUBLE EVERY DAY
TRUE STORIES
TWENTYNINE PALMS
TWIST AND SHOUT
UN CHIEN ANDALOU (1929)
UNE VRAIE JEUNE FILLE
UNKNOWN
UNTOLD STORY
U-TURN (1997)
UZUMAKI
VASE DE NOCES
VENGEANCE IS MINE
VIDEODROME
VIOLENT SHIT TRILOGY
VIRGIN SUICIDES
VISITOR Q
VIVA LA MUERTE
VULGAR
WAKING LIFE
WAR ZONE
WATERPOWER
WAXWORK (1988)
WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE
WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS?
WHAT LIES BENEATH
WICKER MAN
WIFE TO BE SACRIFICED
WINTER SOLDIER
WISCONSIN DEATH TRIP
WOMAN IN THE DUNES
WRONG TURN
XTRO (1983)
YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS (1998)
ZARDOZ (1974)
ZED & TWO NOUGHTS (1985)
ZERO KELVIN (1995)
ZOMBIE (1979)

antennaball

Schindler's List
The Pianist
Rosemary's Baby

sataniko

Jungle Holocaust

beefjerky

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance.


....House of the Dead.

Rival11

Accused


The Accused

Duder

Thirteen.

TomOpus

Hmmm Mordum is on the list but August Underground isn't. Gotta have the first one.

www.toetagpictures.com (WARNING.. graphic images)



Nice list but I'm not sure I'd list Waking Life or Gods Must Be Crazy as disturbing, though.

Mondo Kane

Goodbye Uncle Tom
Santa Sangre
Naked Killer
Mother's Day
The Driller Killer
In the realm of the senses
Fight for your life
Legend of the Overfiend
Flesh for Frankenstein
Xtro
Dr. Lamb

Rockmjd23

Antropophagus

Coral

Leolo
Your Friends and Neighbors

Giles

The Cement Garden
In my Skin
May
The Brood

Panda Phil

The Last Broadcast

Though I think I'm only one of about four people who's actually seen it.

TomOpus

Just noticed that I Drink Your Blood is missing.

ElementZ

Showgirls

asianxcore

definately a vote for,

Ichi The Killer
Audition

Takeshi Miike, just has a knack for making me feel really uncomfertable.

oh and a vote for Schindler's List. really powerful imagery in that movie.

Mountain Biker

I can't believe Exorcist III is not on that main list.

EDIT: Another notable omission: Lost Highway

Apone

Apocalypse Now
Dead Alive (aka Braindead)
Taxi Driver


Would these qualify?

Blade Runner
The Deer Hunter
Full Metal Jacket
Scarface
Silence of the Lambs

Supermallet

Hour of the Wolf
Kairo
Cure
Shivers
Little Otik
Repulsion

Supermallet

Oh, also Possession, Society, and Equus.

Rypro 525

no full metal jacket, or platoon?

sundog

Finally! Someone else has seen this! Great movie, quite distressing.

And let me add Twentynine Palms and say no more about it. Actually it's the deliberateness and laser focus of the director that makes it rightfully disturbing.

Uncle Ron

The Burning

cultshock

How about some of the gritty XXX "roughies" shot in NYC back in the 70's, like Waterpower or Forced Entry. Some of these films played in the same NYC grindhouses as some of the other films on your list (and probably couldn't get a legitimate US release today, so yeah, they are disturbing. ) Another catagory of films that could be considered disturbing are the Japanese Nikkatsu pink films of the 1970's, like Wife to be Sacrificed or Star of David (these are off the top of my head, there are a lot more).

Addi88

Monster (2003)

Giles

actually in all fairness I should attribute you sundog, for talking about this movie, the plot and premise sounded really sick. Visions here in DC is doing this "Truly Shocking" film showcase, with this, "Twentynine Palms' 'The Isle" and 'Love Object' so.... kudo's to you my friend for imparting this film - it will be added to my Films of 2004 list in two weeks from now.