Top 10 Movies That Will Traumatize You
#10: “Oldboy” (2003)
This South Korean masterpiece makes audiences feel every emotion imaginable, be it anger, excitement, joy, or disgust. One night, Oh Dae-Su is kidnapped and imprisoned in a hotel room for 15 years. After being let out, Dae-Su sets out on a revenge mission, not realizing this road leads to ruin. Once the final act commences and the truth is revealed, "Oldboy" descends into pure nightmarish madness, although filtered through the understandable motive behind the actions of the main antagonist, Lee Woo-jin. The corridor fight might be the most iconic sequence from "Oldboy," but the visual of an utterly crushed, groveling Dae-Su is the one that sticks in the mind.
#9: “The Shining” (1980)
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Stanley Kubrick's movie might be quite different from Stephen King's book, but at least they are both intensely terrifying. "The Shining" is traumatizing in two ways; firstly, there are all the Overlook Hotel's spine-chilling supernatural visions, from an elevator overflowing with blood to the Grady Twins being all sorts of creepy. "The Shining's" second and most effective tool for terror is its simple idea that someone, be it a close family member, a friend, or a stranger, could suddenly pick up a taste for murder and an ax to satiate it.
#8: “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” (2008)
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For a film set during World War II that centers around the Holocaust, “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” does an impressive job of leaving audiences unprepared for its devastating conclusion. Told primarily through the eyes of two children, the story depicts the unlikely friendship that forms between an 8-year-old prisoner at a concentration camp and the similarly aged son of a Nazi commander. Although a challenging watch throughout, the climax hits extremely hard as the innocent children pass away to a chorus of tears and screams. “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” ends on an utterly devastating note.
#7: “Saw” (2004)
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As indicated by its infinite sequels, "Saw" made a pretty big splash when it debuted. Everyone had to see the horror film, and what they got is a healthy portion of gore, some visceral deaths, and a shockingly effective psychological thriller. Adam and Lawrence find themselves locked in a deadly game by the deranged Jigsaw, and escape involves a saw, a foot, and a gun. Just in case the bloody mayhem on display is not traumatizing enough, "Saw" ends on a soul-crushing note that might just inspire Adam's shriek to soundtrack someone's dreams for a good while.
#6: “Hereditary” (2018)
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Movies about hauntings are a dime-a-dozen, but "Hereditary" stands out due to its genuine scares and strong character work. Following the passing of their grandmother, the Graham family begins to unravel a strange history that threatens them with damnation. As a psychological horror film with an ambiguous threat, "Hereditary" is intense, unnerving, and filled with realistic performances. A slow-burner, "Hereditary" keeps most of its more supernatural moments to its final act. Despite all the unknown happenings inside the house, the most traumatizing scene just involves a roadside accident, although one that is slightly more tragic than a fender bender.
#5: “American History X” (1998)
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"American History X" tackles the heavy theme of racial discrimination through the journeys of two brothers with neo-Nazi connections. Not subtle in its messaging, nearly every scene in "American History X" is provocative. The film even manages to make a simple basketball match feel like a powder keg that is a three-pointer away from exploding. Most of the movie's best scenes, like the family dinner, involve nothing but dialogue. However, "American History X" can also get really physical, really quick. Along with various moments in the prison sequence, the curb stomp scene is the stuff that mental scars are made of, so we’ll spare you the scene in its entirety.
#4: “The Exorcist” (1973)
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As one of the most popular horror movies of all time, anyone remotely interested in the genre will get to "The Exorcist" sooner rather than later. When the young Regan catches a bad case of the demon, two priests are summoned to compel the unwanted guest to leave post-haste. Alongside all its bizarre, floating moments, "The Exorcist" peppers in many flashes of realistic violence and a whole lot of blood. Regan's frightful transformation is heightened by the grounded portrayals of the rest of the characters, particularly the priests. The movie truly makes audiences believe that this innocent girl has been possessed by something pure evil.
#3: “Requiem for a Dream” (2000)
The typical three-act structure usually involves the protagonist hitting their lowest point around 2/3s of the way through the story, sparking their road to redemption. "Requiem for a Dream" is different; as every time the main characters hit seemingly unbeatable lows, the film finds a way to sink even deeper. Focusing on the crushing consequences of drug addiction, "Requiem for a Dream" offers no respite from the misery or depression. This is the type of film that even people who love it will probably not want to watch it again.
#2: “Schindler’s List” (1993)
Steven Spielberg followed up three massive blockbusters in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," "Hook," and "Jurassic Park" with a harrowing drama about the Holocaust. Set during one of humanity's darkest periods, "Schindler's List" presents a direct look into the atrocities of World War II, and this was a film designed for mass consumption. The girl in red, Göth shooting from the balcony, and the shower scene; "Schindler's List" is filled with images that stay with you. A handful of films have this ability to leave people speechless, as they quietly contemplate what they had just experienced while the credits roll. "Schindler's List" is one such movie. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “American Psycho” (2000) Because Huey Lewis Was Never Quite the Same After This Film “Un Chien Andalou” (1929) Because of the Eye Scene “Joker” (2019) Because This Is Not a Superhero Film “Gummo” (1997) Because It’s Unpleasant & Raw
#1: “Seven” (1995)
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A crime drama starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, "Seven" might seem pretty predictable at first glance. The sins-themed murders are quite graphic, and the film's dirty and gritty aesthetic adds to its impact, but the detectives must surely eventually catch up to John Doe. "Seven's" brilliance lies in its final act, as nothing plays out as it should. John Doe gives himself up, the detectives never feel in control, and justice does not prevail in the end. Like the real world, sometimes evil manages to get away with it and the heroes are left as broken shells.
