Shocking Movies

From Steven Spielberg, starring Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Caroline Goodall
Rated R

Schindler's List is a 1993 American historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg, based on the novel Schindler's Ark by Thomas Keneally. Set during the Holocaust, the film tells the true story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees from the concentration camps by employing them in his factories. The film also stars Ralph Fiennes as SS officer Amon Göth and Ben Kingsley as Schindler's Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern. The film follows Schindler's efforts to protect his Jewish workers from extermination by the Nazis, as well as his increasing friendship with them as the war progresses. It culminates in the climactic scene of Schindler's List, where Schindler and his workers are stopped by an SS commandant at the gates of Auschwitz and Schindler is able to secure their release. The film is both a testament to the courage of those who risked their lives to save others and a powerful reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust.

From Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Lawrence A. Bonney, Kasi Lemmons
Rated R

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological horror film following FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she attempts to hunt down a serial killer known as "Buffalo Bill" (Ted Levine). To try to understand the killer's motivations, Clarice visits a former psychiatrist, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), who is a cannibalistic serial killer himself. Lecter and Starling form a strange bond, and Lecter helps her understand the mind of the killer. With Lecter's help, Clarice is able to track down the killer, but not before he captures another victim. In the end, Clarice apprehends the killer, freeing the latest victim, and Lecter is sent back to prison.

From Curtis Hanson, starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger
Rated R

L.A. Confidential (1997) is an acclaimed neo-noir drama directed by Curtis Hanson and starringKevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, and James Cromwell. Set in 1950s Los Angeles, the film follows three police officers as they uncover a conspiracy involving a notorious gangster and the city's high-powered elite. As the investigation progresses, they are forced to question their own morality and trust in each other as they confront the corrupt and powerful forces behind the criminal underworld. With its all-star cast, unforgettable characters, and gripping story, L.A. Confidential is hailed as one of the greatest films of all time.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary
Rated PG

Jaws is a 1975 American thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter Benchley's 1974 novel of the same name. The film tells the story of a giant man-eating great white shark that terrorizes the fictional seaside resort of Amity Island, prompting police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider), oceanographer Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), and grizzled shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) to hunt the beast. The film is notable for its use of music to develop an atmosphere of fear and for its innovative use of editing and special effects. Jaws was the highest grossing film of all time until the release of Star Wars and made Spielberg a household name. It was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2001 and was voted as number one on the American Film Institute's list of 100 Years...100 Thrills.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, Robert Duvall
Rated R

Network is a 1976 satirical dark comedy-drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Paddy Chayefsky. Set in the 1970s, the film stars Peter Finch, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, and Robert Duvall, and tells the story of a fictional television network, UBS, and its struggle with poor ratings. The film follows news anchor Howard Beale (Finch), who suffers a mental breakdown on air, inspiring him to become a "mad prophet of the airwaves", delivering prophecies of doom and despair. This inspires the network's executives to attempt to capitalize on his newfound fame, leading to a series of events that threaten the fate of the network. The film addresses media conglomerates and their power over public opinion, along with the effects of television on people's lives. Network won four Academy Awards, including Best actor for Finch and Best Screenplay for Chayefsky, and has since become recognized as one of the greatest films of all time.

From Bernardo Bertolucci, starring Jean-Louis Trintignant, Stefania Sandrelli, Gastone Moschin, Enzo Tarascio
Rated R

The Conformist is a psychological drama directed by Bernardo Bertolucci released in 1970. The film follows Marcello Clerici, a weak-willed Italian man in the 1930s. He is deeply disturbed and desperate to conform to the fascist ideals of the time. In order to prove his loyalty, he is tasked with assassinating a former professor living in Paris who is currently in exile. Marcello goes through with the mission, however, his emotions and inner turmoil cause him to question his beliefs and actions. Throughout the film, Marcello's past and psychological issues are explored, ultimately leading to his self-realization that his actions are immoral and lead to his undoing. The film is a powerful exploration of internal struggle and the consequences of fascism in Italy.

From Cristian Mungiu, starring Anamaria Marinca, Laura Vasiliu, Vlad Ivanov, Alexandru Potocean
Rated Not Rated

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days is a 2007 Romanian drama film directed by Cristian Mungiu. It follows two university students, Otilia and Gabita, who are living in the oppressive communist Romania of 1987. Otilia is asked to help Gabita obtain an illegal abortion, and the two embark on a harrowing journey to find a doctor who can help them. Along the way, they have to endure the judgement of those around them, and Otilia is forced to make difficult moral choices as she does her best to protect her friend. The film explores the harsh realities of life in a repressive regime, and examines the true meaning of friendship and sacrifice.

From Werner Herzog, starring Timothy Treadwell, Amie Huguenard, Werner Herzog, Carol Dexter
Rated R

Grizzly Man (2005) follows the story of Timothy Treadwell, a passionate environmentalist and bear enthusiast who decided to live among wild grizzly bears in Alaska for 13 consecutive summers. With his girlfriend, Amie Huguenard, Treadwell documented his time in the wild, capturing intimate footage of the bears’ behavior and his own experiences. The film interweaves Treadwell’s footage, interviews with his friends and family, and narration from director Werner Herzog to explore Treadwell’s life and his ultimate fate: he and Amie were tragically killed by one of the bears they had grown to love. By examining Treadwell’s life, the film raises questions about the boundaries between humans and animals, the power of nature, and the risks of getting too close to the wild.

From George Butler, starring Liam Neeson, Julian Ayer, John Blackborow, David Cale
Rated G

The Endurance is a documentary film that tells the story of Ernest Shackleton's failed expedition to Antarctica in 1914. Through archival footage and interviews with crew members' descendants, the film chronicles the 28-man crew's incredible struggle for survival on the ice-covered continent. After their ship, the Endurance, was crushed in the Antarctic pack ice, the crew was forced to camp on the floating ice for five months. Shackleton and his men eventually made their way to a whaling station in South Georgia, but the journey was one of extreme hardship and danger. The Endurance is praised for its historical accuracy and vivid storytelling, and it stands as a testament to the bravery, ingenuity, and spirit of Shackleton and his crew.

From Pierre Morel, starring Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Leland Orser
Rated PG-13

In the action-packed thriller Taken, Liam Neeson stars as Bryan Mills, a retired CIA agent with a particular set of skills. When his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace), is kidnapped in Paris by human traffickers, Bryan sets out to get her back at any cost. With his extensive knowledge of the criminal underworld, Bryan uses his contacts and cutting-edge surveillance technology to track down the kidnappers and rescue his daughter. As Bryan gets closer to finding Kim, he finds himself in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a gang of ruthless criminals determined to keep her. With breathtaking action sequences and a relentless pace, Taken is a thrilling ride that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

From James Marsh, starring Philippe Petit, Jean François Heckel, Jean-Louis Blondeau, Annie Allix
Rated PG-13

Man on Wire is a 2008 British documentary film directed by James Marsh. It recounts the story of French tightrope walker Philippe Petit's 1974 high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The film follows Petit and his collaborators in their months of careful planning and practice leading up to the walk, and features archival footage, still photos, and re-enactments of the event. The film was critically acclaimed, earning a 97% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes and winning the 2008 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

From Andrew Niccol, starring Nicolas Cage, Ethan Hawke, Jared Leto, Bridget Moynahan
Rated R

Lord of War is a 2005 crime drama film written, produced, and directed by Andrew Niccol. The film stars Nicolas Cage as an illegal arms dealer named Yuri Orlov, who becomes a key player in the international arms trade. The movie follows Yuri as he attempts to survive in a world where the illegal arms trade is booming. He faces the wrath of governments, rival arms dealers, and the FBI as he tries to make a fortune by selling weapons to anyone willing to pay. As the film progresses, Yuri begins to question the moral implications of his actions and must decide whether or not to continue his life of crime.

From Kirby Dick, starring Amy Ziering, Kirby Dick, Kori Cioca, Jessica Hinves
Rated Not Rated

The Invisible War is a 2012 documentary film written and directed by Kirby Dick that investigates the epidemic of rape of soldiers within the United States Armed Forces. The film documents the experiences of several women and men who have been raped while serving in the military, as well as their difficulty in obtaining justice and support from the military. The film also looks at broader issues of military culture, including its reluctance to prosecute attackers and its reactionary attitude towards those who report their assaults. The film won the Audience Award for best documentary at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

From Alan Parker, starring Brad Davis, Irene Miracle, Bo Hopkins, Paolo Bonacelli
Rated R

Midnight Express tells the story of Billy Hayes (played by Brad Davis), an American college student who is caught trying to smuggle drugs out of Turkey and subsequently sentenced to 30 years in a notorious Turkish prison. With the help of his lawyer (John Hurt), Billy struggles to survive the harsh conditions of the prison and finds solace in the friendship of fellow inmates. Desperate to escape, he eventually makes a daring escape attempt, with dire consequences. The film is based on the autobiographical novel of the same name by Billy Hayes, and is a powerful story of endurance, resilience and the human will to survive.

From Taylor Hackford, starring Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Charlize Theron, Jeffrey Jones
Rated R

The Devil's Advocate is a 1997 supernatural thriller directed by Taylor Hackford. It stars Keanu Reeves as Kevin Lomax, an ambitious Florida lawyer, who is hired by a prestigious New York law firm headed by the mysterious John Milton (Al Pacino). Lomax soon discovers Milton's true identity – the Devil himself, who is determined to win the soul of Lomax's wife, Mary Ann (Charlize Theron). As Milton tempts Lomax with power and wealth, Lomax must confront his own morality and choose between his own ambitions and the safety of his family. The film is a dark and twisted journey through the bowels of the legal system, and a cleverly crafted exploration of temptation and morality.

From Bart Layton, starring Adam O'Brian, Nicholas Barclay, Carey Gibson, Bryan Gibson
Rated R

The Imposter is a 2012 British documentary film directed by Bart Layton. It centers around the 1997 disappearance of a 13-year-old boy named Nicholas Barclay in Texas and the bizarre international investigation that followed. Three and a half years later, a 23-year-old Frenchman claiming to be the missing boy shows up in Spain and is soon identified as Nicholas. His family in Texas is overjoyed to receive him and accept him as their son, despite the fact that he looks, speaks, and behaves nothing like the child they remember. The film follows the events of the case, as evidence slowly builds to suggest that the man claiming to be Nicholas Barclay is not who he says he is. Through interviews with the family, investigators, and the imposter himself, The Imposter reveals a shocking and unsettling story of deception and manipulation.

From Ric Roman Waugh, starring Stephen Dorff, Marisol Nichols, Vincent Miller, Anne Archer
Rated R

From Andrzej Zulawski, starring Isabelle Adjani, Sam Neill, Margit Carstensen, Heinz Bennent
Rated R

From M. Night Shyamalan, starring James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson, Jessica Sula
Rated PG-13

From Bruce A. Evans, starring Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, William Hurt, Dane Cook
Rated R

From Andrey Konchalovskiy, starring Jon Voight, Eric Roberts, Rebecca De Mornay, Kyle T. Heffner
Rated R

From Frank Marshall, starring Ethan Hawke, Vincent Spano, Josh Hamilton, Bruce Ramsay
Rated R

From Fatih Akin, starring Numan Acar, Adam Bousdoukos, Diane Kruger, Denis Moschitto
Rated R

From Ari Aster, starring Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, Vilhelm Blomgren, William Jackson Harper
Rated R

From George A. Romero, starring John Amplas, Lincoln Maazel, Christine Forrest, Elyane Nadeau
Rated R