10 Movies So Disgusting They Made People Physically Ill
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
WRITTEN BY: Nick Spake
These movies are undeniably disgusting, so much so that they actually made some viewers physically ill! For this video, we're looking at movies with reputations for making the viewer nauseous, distressed, and unwell due to their graphic imagery or themes. Our countdown includes “Terrifier 2” (2022), “Irréversible” (2002), “Freaks” (1932), “Antichrist” (2009), and more!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at 10 Movies So Disgusting They Made People Physically Ill. For this video, we’re looking at movies with reputations for making the viewer nauseous, distressed, and unwell due to their graphic imagery or themes. Which movie left you green in the face? Let us know in the comments.
This psychological body horror picture is full of twists and turns. At the center is a fascinating dynamic between Allison Williams and Logan Browning. However, we wouldn’t blame you for bailing after a certain scene where two characters get off a bus. If you suffer from entomophobia (ie fear of insects) or apotemnophobia (ie fear of amputation), “The Perfection” is definitely one that will get under your skin. When the film hit Netflix, many took to social media, warning viewers that it wasn’t for the faint of heart. One Twitter user wrote that the film made them “physically sick.” However, they were glad that they didn’t turn off the movie, noting that “the ending was good.” So, a bit of a mixed vomit bag.
You’d think that audiences would’ve seen it all by 2022. If Art the Clown’s next act proves anything, though, it’s that people aren’t getting any less squeamish. On Twitter, viewers have reported witnessing people faint and vomit at “Terrifier 2” screenings. One user even claimed that a friend passed out and the theater called an ambulance, although he added that the film was still “highly recommended.” Director Damien Leone says that he sees walkouts as “a badge of honor,” but he doesn’t want people fainting or getting hurt watching his film. While the producers added a warning, you could argue that reports like this will only drive up business. For the morbidly curious, it’s a bloody disgusting creation you need to see to believe.
Here’s a film so disgusting that it didn’t play in many theaters outside of Sundance. For those who attended the premiere in 2017, “Kuso” quickly gained a reputation as the festival’s grossest film. Directed by Steven Ellison, aka Flying Lotus, “Kuso” follows four stories (if you can call them that) about mutated earthquake survivors. Every character is cringe-inducing, the standouts being a cockroach who lives in a highly uncomfortable era and (we’re not kidding) a talking boil with a sex drive. Following reports of walkouts, FlyLo claimed that only about 20 out of 400 left, although that speaks for itself. While FlyLo says that he didn’t aspire to make the grossest film of all time, he wanted to capture people at their ugliest. Mission accomplished!
Ahead of its time, “Freaks” is now regarded as a sharp commentary on class and the treatment of people with disabilities. Before the film was even released in 1932, though, “Freaks” supposedly prompted run-outs (not walkouts) at test screenings. Aside from reports of people passing out and becoming sick, a woman claimed that the film was responsible for her miscarriage. MGM was compelled to cut director Tod Browning’s 90-minute picture to 64 minutes. Although the full version has been lost to time, the edited version continues to shock audiences over 90 years later. You might assume that a 30s horror film would be tamed by today’s standards, but once you’ve seen Cleopatra get her comeuppance, the ghastly aftermath will remain burned in your brain.
Sometimes a film is so vile that it drives audiences away. With the right marketing, it can have the opposite effect. Arguably one of the first movies to take this approach was 1958’s “Macabre.” A master of b-movies, gimmicks, and showmanship, William Castle mortgaged his house to produce this horror film. To generate interest, the movie was built up as so shocking that a $1,000 life insurance policy via Lloyd’s of London was offered in case viewers died of sheer terror. Phony nurses were also enlisted to stand in the lobby while hearses were parked by the theaters. Although overhyped and misleading, “Macabre” established that there was an audience for movies that promised to make people physically ill. Perhaps even scare them to death!
“Antichrist” remains unrated in the U.S., as it was never submitted to the MPAA. The filmmakers didn’t see the point since an NC-17 rating would’ve been a given. Considered by some to be the most depraved entry in director Lars von Trier’s “Depression Trilogy,” people still debate if “Antichrist” is a misogynistic movie or a feministic movie. Either way, everyone can agree that it’s a stomach-churning movie with the most revolting moments taking us below the belt. Let’s just say that after watching the film, you won’t be able to look at a pair of scissors without clenching up for a while. It’s also by no means a date movie, although for young couples trying to avoid temptation, “Antichrist” should kill the mood.
The “Saw” movies aren’t for everyone. Looking back, though, the first film is fairly restrained with some graphic moments taking place off-screen. By the time we got to #3, the filmmakers evidently felt the need to up the gore. They went all out with horrific contraptions like the Angel Trap, the Rack, and a brain surgery that made it past the MPAA uncut. We guess the film delivered what its fans wanted, but some viewers got more than they bargained for. In the U.K., there were reports of audience members collapsing and ambulances being called. One theatre required emergency services three times in a single night. They say it’s just a movie, but that doesn’t mean Jigsaw can’t literally put people in the hospital.
Roger Ebert described “Irréversible” as “so violent and cruel that most people will find it unwatchable.” Of course, he also awarded the film three stars, complimenting its “honest” depiction of its unspeakable subject matter. “Irréversible” runs 97 minutes, 9 of which are dedicated to a brutal attack that’s executed in an unbroken shot. This scene, in particular, is the ultimate test of endurance. For many viewers, it was too much, reportedly causing around 250 people to walk out at Cannes. What’s more, 20 fainted audience members required oxygen administered by fire wardens, according to the BBC. Lieutenant Gerard Courtel of the fire brigade said, “In 25 years in my job I’ve never seen this at the Cannes festival.” We haven’t seen anything quite like it since.
Still one of the highest-grossing movies ever after inflation, “The Exorcist” managed to be a massive audience favorite while also repelling countless viewers. There have been numerous stories and rumors about audience reactions at the time of its release. These include multiple people fainting, several having heart attacks, a New York woman miscarrying, ambulances being called, and a man being escorted out on a stretcher after 20 minutes. It’s debatable if some of these reports were embellished, but we don’t doubt that people were rushing to the bathrooms nauseated. It’s even been said that various theaters gave out “Exorcist” vomit bags. Whether or not that’s true, Mad Magazine would capitalize by putting an “Exorcist” barf bag on their October 1974 issue.
Centered on a vegetarian who gets her first taste of meat, “Raw” is a cannibalism movie inclined to take away your appetite. While Julia Ducournau’s film was critically acclaimed, the director was surprised to learn that various audience members reportedly sought medical attention in response to the grisly content. In addition to people fainting, paramedics arrived at TIFF to treat viewers who bit off more than they could chew. Beneath the surface, “Raw” possesses layered themes about human nature, animal nature, and how the two really aren’t that different. With some of the most realistic bite marks in cinema, though, it’s understandable why not everybody can sink their teeth into the film. So, who’s up for barbecue?
“The Perfection” (2018)
This psychological body horror picture is full of twists and turns. At the center is a fascinating dynamic between Allison Williams and Logan Browning. However, we wouldn’t blame you for bailing after a certain scene where two characters get off a bus. If you suffer from entomophobia (ie fear of insects) or apotemnophobia (ie fear of amputation), “The Perfection” is definitely one that will get under your skin. When the film hit Netflix, many took to social media, warning viewers that it wasn’t for the faint of heart. One Twitter user wrote that the film made them “physically sick.” However, they were glad that they didn’t turn off the movie, noting that “the ending was good.” So, a bit of a mixed vomit bag.
“Terrifier 2” (2022)
You’d think that audiences would’ve seen it all by 2022. If Art the Clown’s next act proves anything, though, it’s that people aren’t getting any less squeamish. On Twitter, viewers have reported witnessing people faint and vomit at “Terrifier 2” screenings. One user even claimed that a friend passed out and the theater called an ambulance, although he added that the film was still “highly recommended.” Director Damien Leone says that he sees walkouts as “a badge of honor,” but he doesn’t want people fainting or getting hurt watching his film. While the producers added a warning, you could argue that reports like this will only drive up business. For the morbidly curious, it’s a bloody disgusting creation you need to see to believe.
“Kuso” (2017)
Here’s a film so disgusting that it didn’t play in many theaters outside of Sundance. For those who attended the premiere in 2017, “Kuso” quickly gained a reputation as the festival’s grossest film. Directed by Steven Ellison, aka Flying Lotus, “Kuso” follows four stories (if you can call them that) about mutated earthquake survivors. Every character is cringe-inducing, the standouts being a cockroach who lives in a highly uncomfortable era and (we’re not kidding) a talking boil with a sex drive. Following reports of walkouts, FlyLo claimed that only about 20 out of 400 left, although that speaks for itself. While FlyLo says that he didn’t aspire to make the grossest film of all time, he wanted to capture people at their ugliest. Mission accomplished!
“Freaks” (1932)
Ahead of its time, “Freaks” is now regarded as a sharp commentary on class and the treatment of people with disabilities. Before the film was even released in 1932, though, “Freaks” supposedly prompted run-outs (not walkouts) at test screenings. Aside from reports of people passing out and becoming sick, a woman claimed that the film was responsible for her miscarriage. MGM was compelled to cut director Tod Browning’s 90-minute picture to 64 minutes. Although the full version has been lost to time, the edited version continues to shock audiences over 90 years later. You might assume that a 30s horror film would be tamed by today’s standards, but once you’ve seen Cleopatra get her comeuppance, the ghastly aftermath will remain burned in your brain.
“Macabre” (1958)
Sometimes a film is so vile that it drives audiences away. With the right marketing, it can have the opposite effect. Arguably one of the first movies to take this approach was 1958’s “Macabre.” A master of b-movies, gimmicks, and showmanship, William Castle mortgaged his house to produce this horror film. To generate interest, the movie was built up as so shocking that a $1,000 life insurance policy via Lloyd’s of London was offered in case viewers died of sheer terror. Phony nurses were also enlisted to stand in the lobby while hearses were parked by the theaters. Although overhyped and misleading, “Macabre” established that there was an audience for movies that promised to make people physically ill. Perhaps even scare them to death!
“Antichrist” (2009)
“Antichrist” remains unrated in the U.S., as it was never submitted to the MPAA. The filmmakers didn’t see the point since an NC-17 rating would’ve been a given. Considered by some to be the most depraved entry in director Lars von Trier’s “Depression Trilogy,” people still debate if “Antichrist” is a misogynistic movie or a feministic movie. Either way, everyone can agree that it’s a stomach-churning movie with the most revolting moments taking us below the belt. Let’s just say that after watching the film, you won’t be able to look at a pair of scissors without clenching up for a while. It’s also by no means a date movie, although for young couples trying to avoid temptation, “Antichrist” should kill the mood.
“Saw III” (2006)
The “Saw” movies aren’t for everyone. Looking back, though, the first film is fairly restrained with some graphic moments taking place off-screen. By the time we got to #3, the filmmakers evidently felt the need to up the gore. They went all out with horrific contraptions like the Angel Trap, the Rack, and a brain surgery that made it past the MPAA uncut. We guess the film delivered what its fans wanted, but some viewers got more than they bargained for. In the U.K., there were reports of audience members collapsing and ambulances being called. One theatre required emergency services three times in a single night. They say it’s just a movie, but that doesn’t mean Jigsaw can’t literally put people in the hospital.
“Irréversible” (2002)
Roger Ebert described “Irréversible” as “so violent and cruel that most people will find it unwatchable.” Of course, he also awarded the film three stars, complimenting its “honest” depiction of its unspeakable subject matter. “Irréversible” runs 97 minutes, 9 of which are dedicated to a brutal attack that’s executed in an unbroken shot. This scene, in particular, is the ultimate test of endurance. For many viewers, it was too much, reportedly causing around 250 people to walk out at Cannes. What’s more, 20 fainted audience members required oxygen administered by fire wardens, according to the BBC. Lieutenant Gerard Courtel of the fire brigade said, “In 25 years in my job I’ve never seen this at the Cannes festival.” We haven’t seen anything quite like it since.
“The Exorcist” (1973)
Still one of the highest-grossing movies ever after inflation, “The Exorcist” managed to be a massive audience favorite while also repelling countless viewers. There have been numerous stories and rumors about audience reactions at the time of its release. These include multiple people fainting, several having heart attacks, a New York woman miscarrying, ambulances being called, and a man being escorted out on a stretcher after 20 minutes. It’s debatable if some of these reports were embellished, but we don’t doubt that people were rushing to the bathrooms nauseated. It’s even been said that various theaters gave out “Exorcist” vomit bags. Whether or not that’s true, Mad Magazine would capitalize by putting an “Exorcist” barf bag on their October 1974 issue.
“Raw” (2016)
Centered on a vegetarian who gets her first taste of meat, “Raw” is a cannibalism movie inclined to take away your appetite. While Julia Ducournau’s film was critically acclaimed, the director was surprised to learn that various audience members reportedly sought medical attention in response to the grisly content. In addition to people fainting, paramedics arrived at TIFF to treat viewers who bit off more than they could chew. Beneath the surface, “Raw” possesses layered themes about human nature, animal nature, and how the two really aren’t that different. With some of the most realistic bite marks in cinema, though, it’s understandable why not everybody can sink their teeth into the film. So, who’s up for barbecue?
