Not everyone who goes to the movies leaves feeling satisfied or happy. There are certainly less fortunate viewers who have experienced discomfort or even horror due to certain films with 18+ content that shocks and disturbs. Here are six films that have left audiences feeling uneasy and disturbed in theaters.
1. Raw
Despite being a bold film with many steamy scenes, Raw has managed to make a significant impact on audiences, leaving them “speechless.” During its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, the film caused several viewers to faint due to its shocking scenes, visceral moments, and intense themes. Critic Ryan Werner even noted that he had to share a separate space after witnessing a particularly disturbing scene.
Raw
2. Antichrist
Antichrist features many “realistic” scenes that are deeply disturbing, leading to a challenging experience for many viewers. At its premiere in 2009, quite a few audience members were left “in shock.” During the Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals, some guests even fainted. When asked about the film’s impact, director Lars Von Trier stated, “I don’t want to explain anything. You are my guests, just don’t turn back.”
Antichrist
3. The Curse of La Llorona
A bizarre incident occurred during the screening of Detective Pikachu for a group of children at a cinema in Quebec. Prior to the screening, the theater accidentally played several horror trailers, including Joker, Child’s Play, and notably The Curse of La Llorona. Many children screamed and cried, prompting the theater to immediately halt the presentation.
The Curse of La Llorona
4. Terrifier 2
Returning with its second installment, the horror franchise Terrifier has left many viewers feeling shaken right in the theater. According to Yahoo! News, one audience member shared that a woman fainted in the lobby and had to be taken away because the film was too gruesome. The graphic scenes and bloodshed in the film caused one viewer to “lose consciousness,” collapsing directly into the seat they were sitting in. Despite its shocking content, Terrifier 2 achieved significant box office success, even breaking records for ticket sales shortly after its release.
Terrifier 2
5. Irreversible
Irreversible sparked significant controversy with its 10-minute long scene depicting sexual assault. For those who have seen the film in theaters and couldn’t “fast forward” through the scenes, it was an experience akin to a nightmare. Upon its release at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002, 250 viewers had to leave the theater, with 20 of them fainting. One staff member remarked that in her 25 years working at the Cannes Film Festival, she had never seen such an incident happen before.
Irreversible
6. The Exorcist
Not only does this film belong to the current era, but it also includes many titles that have made audiences feel “uncomfortable.” The Exorcist is among them. On the day of the film’s release, viewers queued for hours to buy tickets to the theater, but many ended up leaving during the film due to its intense nature. Reports indicated that over 70 viewers were left feeling nauseous and ill after watching the film’s disturbing scenes. Despite the controversy, The Exorcist remains one of the iconic horror films that continues to influence the genre to this day.
The Exorcist – one of the most disturbing films of all time
Image: BuzzFeed
