Controversial Horror Movies

Updated May 1, 2024

When it comes to Controversial Horror Movies, there are so many films who explored this idea. We wrote about 25 of the best ones.

Oldboy (2003)

★★★★

3.4 out of 4 stars

From Park Chan-wook, starring Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jeong, Kim Byeong-Ok
Rated R

Oldboy is a South Korean film released in 2003 and directed by Park Chan-wook. The film follows the story of Oh Dae-su, a businessman who is suddenly abducted and imprisoned in a private jail for 15 years. His captor does not reveal the reason for his kidnapping and Dae-su must find out on his own. He eventually escapes and embarks on a journey to find his captor and seek revenge. Along the way, he discovers the unnerving truth behind his imprisonment and an even more shocking secret from his past. Oldboy is a critically acclaimed film, praised for its unique story, creative cinematography, and intense action scenes.

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

★★★★

3.3 out of 4 stars

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans
Rated R

Requiem for a Dream is a 2000 American psychological drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky and based on the 1978 novel of the same name by Hubert Selby Jr. The film tells the story of four characters in Brooklyn, including Sara Goldfarb (Ellen Burstyn), a widow who becomes addicted to diet pills and television; her son Harry Goldfarb (Jared Leto), an addict who dreams of becoming a successful drug dealer; his girlfriend Marion Silver (Jennifer Connelly), who also becomes addicted to drugs while trying to help Harry; and Tyrone C. Love (Marlon Wayans), Harry's best friend and fellow drug dealer. As the four characters' lives spin further out of control, their dreams of a better life soon become nightmarish realities. The film is widely acclaimed for its stunning visuals and its unflinching exploration of addiction and its tragic consequences.

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

★★★★

3.3 out of 4 stars

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Michael Bates, Warren Clarke
Rated R

A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 science fiction film directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on the novel of the same name by Anthony Burgess. The story follows Alex DeLarge, a charismatic, psychopathic criminal whose hobbies include classical music, rape, and ultra-violence. Alex and his gang of "droogs" engage in a night of hedonistic activities which ultimately results in their arrest. After being sentenced to 14 years in prison, Alex agrees to undergo a controversial controversial treatment which attempts to "cure" him of his violent behavior and return him to society as a productive citizen. The film explores the tension between free will and moral responsibility, as Alex struggles to reconcile his violent desires with a newfound morality. It also serves as a critique of the dangers of totalitarianism and government control.

The Exorcist (1973)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From William Friedkin, starring Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb
Rated R

The Exorcist is a 1973 horror film directed by William Friedkin, based on the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty. It follows the story of Regan (Linda Blair), a young girl who is possessed by a mysterious entity. Regan's mother Chris (Ellen Burstyn) turns to a local priest, Father Karras (Jason Miller), for help. With the assistance of an experienced exorcist, Father Lankester Merrin (Max von Sydow), they attempt to rid Regan of her demonic possession. The daunting task is filled with terrifying encounters as the possessed Regan puts up a fight. Through the power of faith and courage, and with the help of a supernatural presence, the exorcism is ultimately successful.

I Saw the Devil (2010)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Jee-woon Kim, starring Lee Byung-hun, Choi Min-sik, Jeon Gook-hwan, Ho-jin Chun
Rated Not Rated

I Saw the Devil is a 2010 South Korean action thriller film directed by Jee-woon Kim. The film follows a secret agent named Kim Soo-hyeon (Byung-hun Lee) who, after the brutal murder of his fiancée, embarks on a mission of revenge against the psychopathic serial killer (Min-sik Choi) responsible. Fueled by rage and despair, Kim embarks on a deadly game of cat and mouse, pushing both men to the brink of madness. Along the way, Kim discovers that his own capacity for cruelty is as strong as the killer's, and must ultimately decide if he is capable of exacting justice without becoming a monster himself.

Happiness (1998)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Todd Solondz, starring Jane Adams, Jon Lovitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Dylan Baker
Rated NC-17

Happiness is a 1998 American black comedy-drama film written and directed by Todd Solondz. The film explores the lives of three sisters and their family. Trish (Cynthia Stevenson) is the oldest and most successful of the siblings, with a seemingly perfect family life with her husband and three children. Her younger sister Helen (Lara Flynn Boyle) is an aspiring writer who is unhappy with her job, yet is unable to make changes in her life. The youngest sister Joy (Jane Adams) is the most eccentric of the family, with a tumultuous love life and an obsession with phone sex. The sisters' lives become further intertwined when one of Trish's sons is accused of making obscene phone calls to the homes of strangers. Along the way, the film explores themes of alienation, love, and relationships in a darkly humorous way.

Mysterious Skin (2004)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From Gregg Araki, starring Brady Corbet, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elisabeth Shue, Chase Ellison
Rated Unrated

Mysterious Skin is a 2004 coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Gregg Araki. The film tells the story of two pre-adolescent boys who are sexually abused by their Little League coach and the effect it has on their lives. Eight-year-old Neil McCormick (Chase Ellison) has a naive view of the world, and spends his free time searching for extraterrestrials. His friend Brian Lackey (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a loner who is obsessed with discovering the cause of his fragmented memories of a traumatic event. As the boys enter their teenage years, they both struggle to make sense of what happened to them and cope with the emotional and psychological damage. Neil becomes a sexual promiscuity, while Brian seeks solace in religion. In the end, they both must come to terms with the truth in order to have any hope of recovering and moving on with their lives.

The Skin I Live In (2011)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From Pedro Almodóvar, starring Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Jan Cornet, Marisa Paredes
Rated R

The Skin I Live In is a psychological thriller that follows the story of Dr. Robert Ledgard, a brilliant plastic surgeon determined to develop a skin with which he can save his wife from the horrific burns she suffered in a car accident. After years of research, he succeeds in creating an artificial skin impervious to pain, but his efforts have taken a dangerous turn as he has developed an obsession with one of his human guinea pigs, the mysterious and beautiful Vera. With a shocking twist, the film reveals the dark secrets of Robert's past and the lengths he has gone to in order to fulfill his desires. A twisted tale of obsession and revenge, The Skin I Live In delves into the depths of humanity and morality.

Funny Games (1997)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From Michael Haneke, starring Susanne Lothar, Ulrich Mühe, Arno Frisch, Frank Giering
Rated Not Rated

Funny Games is a psychological horror-thriller directed by Michael Haneke in 1997. The film follows a family of three on vacation at their lake house, where they are confronted by two sadistic young men who hold them hostage and force them to play a series of violent and psychologically-manipulative games. As their captivity continues, the family must use their collective wits and resources to attempt to outsmart their captors and escape with their lives. The film is a stark commentary on violence in media and its effects on viewers, as well as a powerful exploration of themes of control, power, and the ability of systemic violence to dehumanize its victims.