Mainstream Effed Up Movies

Author: Meow

My thoughts on disturbing movies that are kinda known (in no specific ranking)

1. A serbian film — I think I’ve already expressed my hatred for this film here but it’s just too talked about not to talk about it again. This movie is honestly ASS. I have no issues with intense brutal violence in film and literature. I’m willing to keep watching beyond many peoples comfort level. I say all that to say I’m no newbie what it comes to violence and brutality and I don’t often reach my limit to where regret watching something. A Serbian Film pushed me pretty well past my comfort level. Not in a good way. And yeah people can make all the excuses of “oh it’s about society, it’s about censorship, it’s a metaphor for blah blah blah” There are plenty of ways to do all that stuff and still be shocking without the child stuff. I’m all for extreme art for a reason but I didn’t find much art or reason for this. I found this movie to be sickening just for the sole purpose of being sickening. They wanted to see how far they could legally go. They wanted to be that film that gets banned in many countries and they wanted the notoriety of it.

2. Lilya 4 ever — This one was hard for me to get through. One of the grittiest films I’ve ever seen, definitely not for everyone. Very dark tone. Brilliantly acted and made. The way poverty, neglect, hate, human trafficking, just some of all the ugliest aspects of humanity are portrayed in one movie. You really feel it. It really gets under your skin. The authentic, brooding mood throughout almost reminded me of a Bela Tarr film. Depicting eastern Europe’s impoverished communities as a result of communism. This sense of hopelessness and corruption burns slowly. And all that just adds to the intensity of what’s going on in the film. It’s some heavy shit. The cinematography was excellent, the writing, direction, acting and everything was on point. I think everyone needs to see this movie. 5/5 ⭐️

3. Martyrs — It really wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I expected. I’ve seen worse in other horror movies. I actually thought Hostel was worse. Good storyline. Well made. Good acting. Pretty good ending. It was certainly pretty hard to watch at times. I had to look away a couple times because I felt so bad for the people but overall I was pleasantly surprised. Unlike a lot of other gory horror movies it actually had an original, unique, thought provoking concept behind it that tied everything together and made it all make sense, which I found refreshing. It isn’t just gratuitous gore trying to pretend to be something else – like the Saw movies, etc.

4. Mother — Okay this isn’t really mentioned along with these other movies, but it’s definitely up there with disturbing movies. First off, a fantastic performance by Jennifer Lawrence. She sells her character’s anxiety and pain in almost every scene. Second note, this movie is a trip and gets pretty intense. I’d struggle to “recommend” it to anyone without knowing they enjoy similar dark/unique films.
If you go into this movie knowing nothing (which I was lucky enough to do) you gather from the opening scene that things are going to unravel and turn dark by the end. While this is the case you really can’t predict how that process will go throughout the entire film. I appreciate a movie that can keep you guessing throughout.
The movie represents two people who are “in love” but ultimately wanting completely different things out of life. The man is self absorbed and wants the world to love him while the woman wants to shut out the world and start a family. The man is a poet and wants to write but needs inspiration from something “new and exciting.” The woman wants to be a mother and is spending all of her time preparing her “nest” for just that occasion.
I take most of this movie to be allegory. It can represent different things to different people. The obvious fact is that Jennifer Lawrence’s character continues to pour herself out for her husband (her perspective). She wants only one thing in return, Him! She doesn’t just want part of him, she wants all of him. The problem is that she isn’t enough for him (his perspective). He needs everyone else in his life. He wants their approval and accolades.
The last act of this movie really just amplifies what we learned from the beginning. The husband thinks he cares for everyone else but ultimately just uses everyone around him for one reason or another. The wife just wants to have a baby and start a family (regardless of who it is with it seems). They never really communicate about their needs and instead make a lot of assumptions. As we reach the climax we see each character’s “true colors” shine through.
Without spoiling the movie (if it’s really a spoiler), I think this movie is treating selfishness like a drug. It has a bit of echo from Requiem for a Dream. We think fulfilling our selfish desires will bring us happiness but it continues to bring pain more often than not. It is only when we open ourselves up to others and help them through their pain that we can truly feel better about our own. Unless of course, that person is going to suck everything out of you until there is nothing left and then move on to their next victim.

5. Mysterious skin — “Mysterious Skin” is a complex and challenging emotional experience. It’s not simplistic. It hates child abuse, but it doesn’t stop with hate; it follows the lives of its characters as they grow through the aftermath. The movie clearly believes Neil was born gay; his encounter with the coach didn’t “make” him gay but was a powerful influence that aimed his sexuality in a dangerous direction. Brian, on the other hand, was unable to process what happened to him, has internalized great doubts and terrors, and may grow up neither gay nor straight, but forever peering out of those great big glasses at a world he will never quite bring into focus.

Ones I’ve yet to watch

A hannibal holocaust

The human centipede