16 of the Most Eff'd-Up Horror Movies Ever Made
by Jesse Schedeen
Whether they're crammed full of gory torture porn, or just too unnerving to watch with the lights off, some horror movies are just too much to handle. Here are our picks for the most eff'd up horror movies ever -- including a healthy mix of American and foreign films.
'The Hills Have Eyes' (1977)
Back before he was helming popular franchises like "Scream," director Wes Craven was shocking audiences with this tale of tourists who run afoul of hillbilly killers. Along with "Deliverance," this movie is responsible for killing any desire we ever had to travel. And the 2006 remake is also one hell of a scare-fest.
'Suspiria' (1977)
If you've ever wondered why Dario Argento is considered the master of horror, look no further than this colorful (but terrifying) 1977 classic. How can something so pretty also be so squirm-inducing?
'It' (1990)
For a humble TV movie, "It" sure knows how to haunt our dreams. We put the blame mainly on the shoulders of Tim Curry's Pennywise, a villain who's singlehandedly responsible for 90% of the world's cases of clown phobia.
'Event Horizon' (1997)
"Event Horizon" is a little too cheesy to qualify as a great horror film, but it's definitely got some wacky, nightmare-inducing set design. Who builds an engine room with so many deadly spikes, anyway?
'Audition' (1999)
If you're considering marrying someone you don't know very well, maybe this Japanese horror film will change your mind. The gorgeous cinematography somehow makes all the gore and psychological horror that much harder to stomach.
'Ichi the Killer' (2001)
Takashi Miike's work is so disturbing we just had to feature two of the director's films for this list. Miike followed up "Audition" with this tale of a psychologically-damaged killer manipulated into slaughtering rival Yakuza members. The extreme levels of violence were enough to get the movie banned in several countries.
'Ju-on: The Grudge' (2002)
This Japanese haunted house movie didn't necessarily win over American audiences by virtue of its convoluted story, but it didn't have to. That ghost child hiding in the attic is enough to cement "Ju-on" as one of the creepiest movies ever filmed.
'The Devil's Rejects' (2005)
Rob Zombie proved with 2003's "House of 1000 Corpses" that he had some serious directing chops. Then he outdid himself with this 2005 sequel, which managed to be gorier and more unsettling even as it painted a surprisingly sympathetic portrait of its three murderous protagonists.
'Hostel' (2005)
American filmmakers were a little slow to embrace the torture porn genre that was all the rage in Asia, but they made up for lost time with this blood-soaked piece of nightmare fuel. As if we needed more reasons not to travel abroad. Or leave the house, for that matter.
'Wolf Creek' (2005)
In the grand tradition of "The Hills Have Eyes" and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," this Australian horror film showcased what can happen (in disturbing detail) when a few friends on a road trip run afoul of bloodthirsty locals. Even the most jaded of moviegoers may find the film's violence hard to stomach.
'Inside' (2007)
Home invasion is usually an effective theme in horror. Really, who isn't terrified of some crazy murderer trying to kick down their door? This French film took it one step further by making the protagonist a pregnant woman and piling on the blood.
'The Poughkeepsie Tapes' (2007)
Not since "The Blair Witch Project" has a horror film so effective played on the "Is this actually real?" aspect of found footage. The film claims to showcase the homemade recordings of a prolific serial killer, and it's a little too convincing.
'REC' (2007)
Found footage horror might be played out these days, but this Spanish horror film proves how much potential that format has to terrify. The grainy, shaky cinematography only enhanced the story of a news crew trapped inside an apartment building full of crazed killers.
'Martyrs' (2008)
Between "Inside" and this bloodfest, France pretty much leads the pack when it comes to violent, unsettling horror movies. This disturbing film followed two women on a bloody warpath, 15 years after they suffered a horrifying ordeal of their own.
'Antichrist' (2009)
As the first entry in polarizing director Lars von Trier's "Depression Trilogy," this bleak (and bloody) film certainly knows how to upset and unnerve its viewers. Even the late Ingmar Bergman might have told von Trier to lighten up a little.
'Human Centipede' (2009)
Even if you've never seen this controversial Dutch horror film, you probably know it by reputation. It easily ranks among the most disgusting movies ever filmed, rivaled perhaps only by its even more gruesome sequel.
'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (1974)
C'mon, how could we not include this one? I mean, just look at that guy. If this mere image hasn't reduced you to crying while rocking back and forth, then you're lucky. Seriously, teach us how to be immune to pure terror.
