The appeal of disturbing horror movies is one of the few aspects of the horror community that has remained alive throughout the evolution of the genre. Trends and filmmakers have sailed through decades where censorship has tried to avoid the consumption of graphic horror movies and has often failed. It seems there’s always a new way to shock, and viewers are always exploring new ways to be shocked.
However, in the case of the following movies, you may find yourself witnessing films that are not only hard to endure, but they’re also movies where excessive violence has a purpose. Regardless, you will probably only watch them once and then deal with the aftermath of such a horror experience in your own way. Fortunately, streaming service Shudder has made them available, even if you will most likely cover your eyes from the carnage and gore.
- Zombi 2 (1979)
- Faces of Death (1978)
- Hunter Hunter (2020)
- The New York Ripper (1982)
- Nekromantik (1987)
- Speak No Evil (2022)
- When Evil Lurks (2023)
- Mandy (2018)
- The Sadness (2022)
- Kidnapped (2010)
I saw Nekromantic in the cinema as it had a special Valentine’s Day release. It did get a couple of walkouts but I can’t figure out if that was because of the on-screen content or because the sound was far too loud. I hadn’t seen it in the cinema before so don’t know if that was just the mix but my ears were ringing by the end, which isn’t a good sign.
Love Mandy and Zombi 2 but I’ve watched them lots and thoroughly enjoyed them.
Faces of Death may be the only one you’ll ever watch once. I can’t imagine anyone needing to see it multiple times for a number of reasons.