Top 10 Scary Movies Too DISGUSTING To Watch Twice

#10: The Substance (2024)

This body horror film caught both audiences and critics by surprise, launching an unexpected run through the awards circuit. At its core, The Substance portrays how women in Hollywood are pushed aside in favor of younger faces. But the approach to its subject matter isnt exactly clean or comfortable. Most of the film features eye-popping, graphic, and overall grotesque visuals that will make you squirm in your seat. The unfiltered approach is a deliberate choice, forcing viewers to explore themes of vanity and desperation in all their visceral ways. And while we can appreciate its artistic merits, its the farthest thing from a pleasant experience.

#9: mother! (2017)

More than a few viewers were left scratching their heads by this allegorical mind-bender. mother! is a symbolic interpretation of the world. Jennifer Lawrence represents Mother Earth, as humanitys destructive nature ravages her existence. Although the films ambitious intent is admirable, its execution is a lot more subjective. Most of the film unfolds through psychological trauma and disturbing imagery, leaving it up to audiences to figure out the films message on their own. As avant-garde as it gets, mother! is more of an acquired taste than a crowd-pleaser. Even those who do connect with its thematic undertones might find the constant metaphors and outlandish content too much to take.

#8: Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

Most serial killer films glorify the characters to unrealistic extremes. This one goes the opposite direction, painting its titular character as inherently sick and demented. Theres nothing stylish or slick here its just a couple of evil guys doing evil things, so sitting through their activities is as uncomfortable as youd imagine. Apart from indulging in their twisted desires, Henry and his accomplice Otis actively corrupt one another in the process. Far from humanizing either of them, the film exposes the pair for the vile men they are. The idea behind it is grim and effective, but wed rather just leave Henry and Otis alone and never speak of them again.

#7: Tusk (2014)

By now, its clear that whenever Justin Long is in a horror movie, you can expect bad things to happen to him. Tusk puts his character through one of the worst forms of torture ever conceived. After falling prey to a deranged man obsessed with a walrus named Mr. Tusk, he finds himself being brainwashed into the creature against his will. The film depicts this horrifying transformation in painful detail, as he goes from man to walrus while clinging to any form of humanity he still can. Though traces of dark humor provide some moments of levity, Tusk is an unsettling experience about the maniacal ways a persons inner darkness can manifest.

#6: Midsommar (2019)

Scenic Swedish landscapes, friendly locals, and an escape from city life. Sounds like the perfect getaway, doesnt it? Not when youre in an Ari Aster movie, its not. Midsommar turns daylight into a waking nightmare, throwing its characters into a terrifying ritual with no escape. Every form of beautiful imagery is weaponized to create a constant sense of paranoia. Of course, we reach truly disgusting territory by the end. Somehow both nauseating and mesmerizing, the climactic ritual has a hypnotic quality you cant tear your eyes away from. By the end, youll rethink that trip to Europe and probably settle for a day at Disneyland instead.

#5: The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) (2011)

Anyone who saw the first film wondered who this was even made for. Turns out, it was the main character of the sequel, who decides to recreate it himself front to back, as it were. Ditching any attempt at thoughtful commentary or subtext, The Human Centipede 2 is body horror for the sake of it, consisting completely of revolting, heinous, and cringeworthy material. You dont need to see beyond the title to know where this is headed. But if you do, youll have to sit through 90 minutes of content that is designed to make you gag. Forget rewatching, its impressive if you can even get through the whole thing the first time around.

#4: A Serbian Film (2010)

Truth be told, you dont need to watch this a second time. Not when every frame will be seared into your mind. A Serbian Film presents itself as an allegorical take on control and exploitation, but youll mostly remember it for scarring you for life. Its brutal, relentless, and so over-the-top, youll start to wonder if theres supposed to be a story here in the first place. Framed around a struggling actor lured into filming an unlawful kill tape, what little plot it has runs thin quickly. Instead of thinking about a second viewing, youll more than likely be mourning the person you were before you ever watched this film.

#3: Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

While found footage became mainstream through films like The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity, Cannibal Holocaust is one of the first entries in this genre. Still among the most controversial films ever made, it was met with outrage upon its release. The story follows a film crew exploiting Amazonian tribes, only to suffer a terrifying retribution after their staged and sensationalized content is exposed. If you think the violence comes across as intensely raw and real, thats because some of it actually is. The film was banned and condemned for its cold disregard for animal safety. Prioritizing shock value over innovation, Cannibal Holocaust is more of a film you try to forget than one you want to remember.

#2: Martyrs (2008)

Reaching a higher state of understanding takes many forms. In this divisive psychological horror, it comes through pain and suffering. The film follows a traumatized woman and her friends revenge on her former captors, uncovering far more sinister plans in the process. While that sounds intriguing on the surface, most of the movie feels like an endless torture-laden montage. After what feels like the sixtieth blood-soaked frame, its clear that theres no real emotional payoff. Martyrs remains highly polarizing, with some appreciating its profound themes while others are put off by all the horror on display. Either way, its hard to see many people lining up for another round.

#1: Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975)

While most of the films weve mentioned use pain to serve their narrative, in Salò, its the whole story. Corrupt elites capture 18 young people just to inflict some truly terrible torment. As hard as it might be to believe, thats basically the whole story. Director Pier Paolo Pasolini who, in a twist of tragic irony, was murdered just weeks before the films release uses vicious brutality to critique the threat of unchecked power. Despite generally positive reviews for its gritty and unflinching depiction of human cruelty, Salò is far from most peoples rewatch lists. Although banned and censored in multiple countries, it ultimately influenced similarly transgressive films for decades to come.

Is there a scary movie that makes your skin crawl? Let us know in the comments.