Below is Total Film’s list of the “25 Most Disturbing Films Ever” in order from least to most disturbing (links go to the Total Film page for each movie). I don’t totally agree with this list but it makes a nice comparison to the “Top 10 Most Controversial Horror Movies” list I posted last month
25) Antichrist – Von Trier, 2009
24) Blue Velvet – Lynch, 1986
23) Shivers – Cronenberg, 1975
22) Martyrs – Laugier, 2008
21) Man Bites Dog – Belvaux, 1992
20) Begotten – Merhige, 1991
19) Aftermath – Cerda, 1994
18) The Human Centipede – Six, 2010
17) A Clockwork Orange – Kubrick, 1971
16) Flower of Flesh and Blood (aka Slow Death: The Dismemberment) – Hinu, 1985
15) The Last House on the Left – Craven, 1972
14) Irreversible – Noe, 2002
13) Nekromantik – Buttgereit, 1987
12) Men Behind the Sun – Mou, 1988
11) I Spit on Your Grave (aka Day of the Woman) – Zarchi, 1978
10)Happiness – Solondz, 1998
9) Funny Games – Haneke, 1997
8 ) Visitor Q – Miike, 2001
7) Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom – Pasolini, 1975
6) Cannibal Holocaust – Deodato, 1980
5) In a Glass Cage – Villaronga, 1987
4) Eraserhead – Lynch, 1977
3) Audition – Miike, 1999
2) Threads – Jackson, 1984
1) Exorcist – Friedkin, 1973
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Dogtooth was pretty disturbing.
Do you really have Exorcist as the most disturbing of all time? That movie is more like a comedy (one I love a lot, don’t get me wrong) It’s nowhere near belonging on a most disturbing list.
I think I agree with you, Jeremy. What would you suggest as a replacement?
I think A Serbian Film should top this list.
Why is The Exorcist most disturbing? It isn’t scary, and, unless I totally missed something, possession isn’t real. I agree with the other 2 posters. Dogtooth is pretty messed up, and could happen, as with ASF. Irreversible, as a woman, as a human, is more disturbing. VQ, and Human Centipede shouldn’t be considered at all – laughable. Terrible even.