7 horror movie scenes that went too far

Since horror movies (including some low-rated 2023 movies) are meant to shock and scare their audiences, it’s easy for people to question whether or not they can really cross a line.

Many entries in the genre have drawn controversy over the years for their graphic and violent content, and it is still sometimes difficult to tell whether disenchanted viewers are being too sensitive or whether there are scenes that simply should not have been made. Was. Whatever the case, these seven horror movies pushed the boundaries of what is considered acceptable with these disturbing scenes. Be aware that, although we have avoided the most ridiculous details, even the suggestion of some on-screen acts may upset some readers.

7. The Death of Bradley – Doctor Sleep (2019)

a woman's eyes lit up "Doctor Sleep."
Warner Bros. / Warner Bros.

Mike Flanagan’s sequel Shining, viewers watch as the evil True Knot cult kidnaps a young Bradley who possesses “the Glow” and slowly stabs him to death in order to drain his life force. Killing children on screen is still rare in horror films due to the taboo nature of horror films.

Although the film does not show the knife piercing Bradley’s skin, the terror shown in this bloody scene is still tremendous, especially due to Jacob Tremblay’s realistic performance as the poor boy. While doing this scene, the actor playing the character of True Knot was also shaken.

6. Animal Killings – Cannibal Massacre (1980)

a woman next to the camera "Cannibal Holocaust."
FD Cinematographica / FD Cinematographica

This found-footage film depicts violence It was so realistic that the filmmakers were accused of murdering their actors in real life. Although no humans died in the making of this photo, the same cannot be said about animals.

A total of seven animals were gruesomely slaughtered in the film (six of which are shown on-screen in the final cut), breaking animal cruelty laws and receiving condemnation from critics, leading to a ban in several countries. Even the film’s director Ruggero Deodato later expressed regret over its excessive and exploitative production tactics.

5. Genital Mutilation – Antichrist (2009)

a man and a woman inside "The enemy of Jesus Christ."
Zentropa Entertainments / Zentropa Entertainments

Director Lars von Trier is notorious for his shocking and blatantly artistic films Antichrist Here are some early examples of his no-holds-barred style.

In one scene, the unnamed couple get into a fight, and the woman sexually assaults the man before breaking his CGI waist with a piece of wood, leading to a bloody, not very happy ending. But this is not the only example of genital mutilation in this film, as the woman later does the same to herself with the help of scissors. Seriously, did audiences need to see any of this?

4. Attack on the Tree – The Evil Dead (1981)

Cheryl Inn "the evil Dead."
New Line Cinema / New Line Cinema

Possibly the scariest and most controversial scene the evil Dead This occurs when Ash’s sister, Cheryl, is sexually assaulted by the branches of a tree possessed by the Kandarian demon. The way Cheryl is stripped naked before Branches molests her makes the scene too violent and overly sexual to be considered palatable, and the assault itself adds nothing to the story.

Director Sam Raimi has since expressed regret for using this scene, and it’s no surprise that it wasn’t repeated in 2023 with its obvious terror. evil dead rise,

3. Killing Halloran – The Shining (1980)

dick halloran in "Shining" (1980).
Warner Bros.

stanley kubrick’s Shining It has been criticized for its many differences from the Stephen King novel that inspired it. In the eyes of many, the fate of one of the worst offenders befalls the Overlook Hotel’s affable chef, Dick Halloran. Danny’s psychic mentor travels all the way from Florida to try to save him and Wendy from the haunted hotel, but ends up getting a fatal ax blow to his chest, courtesy of Danny’s father Jack Torrance.

Horror movies have been notorious for killing off black characters before as sacrificial lambs, and Halloran dying while trying to save the white hero would seem to weaken her character for shock value and greater stakes.

2. That Newborn Scene – A Serbian Film (2010)

a man inside "a Serbian Film."
Searched Movies / Searched Movies

a Serbian Film Notorious for being one of the most disturbing films ever made. Since it contains so many horrific depictions of pedophilia, necrophilia, incest, and sexual assault, it’s hard to mention just one moment when discussing its depravity.

But one scene that went too far over the line was the one in which the villain presents a film he made in which a woman gives birth to a newborn baby and happily watches how a man is treating the infant.

1. Crucifixion Scene – The Exorcist (1973)

chris mcneil in "the Exorcist" (1973)
Warner Bros. / Warner Bros.

Regan wasn’t the only one whose head was spinning after this scene. When Chris hears Regan screaming in her room, she comes running to find her obsessed daughter crucifying herself and attacking her to the point of bleeding, while also muttering horrible obscenities. Has been. The way this scene invokes the taboo subjects of sex and religion in such a scandalous manner was something the world had never seen on film before, and one can only imagine what people felt when it first appeared in 1973. What was his reaction when I saw him?

Modern audiences have also become more sensitive to depictions of self-harm in the media, so the scene’s ability to shock viewers has not diminished in the least. Additionally, director William Friedkin used a take in which Ellen Burstyn broke her spine doing a wire stunt more difficult than she agreed, so the audience hears actual screams of pain when her back hits the floor.






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