Horror is supposed to scare us and make us feel uncomfortable in some way. Yes, we still fully appreciate the other elements horror movies have to offer - special effects, whodunit storylines, and timeless antagonists - but many viewers end up just looking for horror movies to be scared. Throughout horror history, some scenes have come out more negatively on often superficial creepy plots than others. Others appear in the middle of movies that are really excellent, making one's viewing experience more shocking. These instances often become the hushed topics of conversation after the movie ends, leading some viewers to consider leaving the cinema. For some, these 10 good horror movies have been ruined by a controversial scene.
10 The Abuse of Gwen and Finney - The Black Phone (2022)
The black telephone was one of the best summer horror movies to come out in 2022, and it gave some more recognition to Joe Hill's original short story that inspired him. Blake's siblings, Gwen and Finney (Mason Thames), are terrorized at home and school before the Grabber even finds Finney. The physical abuse their father commits makes segments of The black telephone hard to stomach, especially a tearfully realistic performance by Madeleine McGraw as Gwen.
9 Cathy and Chris - Flowers in the Attic (2014)
The story behind it Flowers in the attic would have been creepy and nasty enough if it stayed with the trapped feeling they experienced in the house and the family abuse that was already taking place. However, the story results in the beginning of an incestuous relationship between the two oldest siblings, Cathy and Chris. This unfortunately takes the content of the movie to another lower level, making it extremely uncomfortable to watch.
8 Pearl's Crime - X (2022)
X And Pearl go hand-in-hand like the first two films in Ti West's soon-to-be released trilogy, when MaXXXine is released. X introduces Pearl (surprisingly played by Mia Goth) as an old woman who lives on her farm with her husband Howard. But if you know her character, you know that her innocent looks were short-lived. Pearl sneaks into where the film crew is staying and visits a sleeping Maxine, touching her torso in a sexualized manner that would not be consensual. The action is just another addition to her long list of crimes, but its nature furthers Pearl's character as a villain.
7 Kara's Growth - Old (2021)
M. Night Shyamalan has a filmography filled with certain moments of controversy and questionable storylines, and one of his latest films, Old, fits right in. When she arrived on the island, Kara was a little girl, but under the spell of the aging beach, she grows into a young adult. After eloping with the same-aged Trent, the two get back with everyone else, with Kara clearly pregnant. The rushed reality of her delivery is off-putting in its own right, but the fact that she's technically still a young child during the process is still pretty twisted.
6 The Home Movies - Sinister (2012)
Sinister is an excellent 2010 horror film directed by Ethan Hawke and filled with the classic haunted house movie aesthetic. As Ellison Oswalt works his way through the mysterious collection of wacky home movies, he comes closer to the truth behind an old murder he's trying to solve. Increasingly visually graphic and easy to look away from, the violent visuals that each home video adds to an already dark setup stick with the viewer more than some aspects of the main story.
5 The fate of the baby - mother! (2017)
Film by Darren Aronofsky mother! has been called an "allegory for climate change" and has remained one of the more startling projects within the director's unique style. In the film, a devoted couple are visited in their beautiful home by an increasing number of drop-ins who stay longer welcome in Mother's eyes. One of the most shocking scenes is the unfortunate fate of mom's newborn baby, which the mob is responsible for, to keep it PG on the internet - the symbolism the scene adds to the plot is pretty heavy.
4 The Car Scene - Hereditary (2018)
When you look Heir apparent for the first time, you may be among the number of viewers who think that the main death in the film is that of the person who has already died - Annie's mother, Ellen. When Charlie also dies, its violent, unexpected nature completely shocks the audience. As Peter drives her home from the party he took her to as she has a severe allergic reaction, he swerves in his car as a deer crosses the road, and Charlie loses her head. The scene that plays out in real time is horrifying enough, and Annie's screams for Charlie punctuated by a shot to the head of Charlie is the most horrifying aftermath Ari Aster could have ever created.
3 Freddy's Identity - A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
It goes without saying that Freddy Kruger is an integral part of the horror genre, especially his original portrayal in the very first Elm street movie, in which he is known as the guilty party for the murders of local children. The 2010 reboot A nightmare on Elm Street took his characterization in a distinct direction. Numerous sources, including TVOverMind, have reported that Wes Craven's original intention for the character was to have him portrayed as a child predator, which is central to his storyline in the newer adaptation and immediately makes him a more repulsive character.
2 Religious Crimes - The Exorcist (1973)
The exorcist is such a fundamental part of the horror genre and the world of cinema. It has been controversial since it was first released in theaters and has caused notorious negative reactions among viewers. Much of Regan's behavior after being possessed by the devil is too graphic to type out, but it famously contributed to the film's negative reputation as one of the scariest films in history. This feat was accomplished through several physical displays of Regan's shift to demonic activity, in addition to the unforgettably green projectile vomiting.
1 The End - Sleepaway Camp (1983)
With one of the most stunning horror movie endings and one of the most complicated commentaries, Sleep camp is one of the most famous controversial horror movies in general. Famously, the reveal at the end of the story shocks viewers when it is revealed that the character viewers knew as Angela is really Peter, forced to transition from male to female by the abusive doctor and aunt, Martha. In 2023, when transphobia is rampant, it will be important to analyze media in which transgender people appear. This film seems to be a toss-up: certain trans writers certainly praise it, but on the other hand, an article from Dread Central reports the other view - "the 'shocking' and downright problematic ending solidified his cult following... If Peter hadn't been forced to to live his life as 'Angela', the events of Sleep camp would be prevented."
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