PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Extreme horror films don’t get a lot of respect, and are often called unwatchable, torture porn, and even garbage. It’s understandable – it’s not a genre for everyone. For me, the violence has never been a problem as long as the filmmaker doesn’t just show it for no reason. When you look past the gore, some directors use groundbreaking gorgeous visuals to explore the basic issue of humanity, while others handle topics like the spectatorship of violence and the horrors of grief. The very brave create films that serve as a critique of political society, even at the cost of their life. One thing that all the films have in common is an excess of violence, sex, or both.
I selected five films to look at, and I did require that they have a coherent storyline because I want extreme films that have a message. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, but hey, movies are subjective. Feel free to voice your opinions in the comments below!
A Serbian Film – Directed by Srđan Spasojević
Synopsis:
It tells the experience of a financially struggling pornstar who agrees to participate in an “art film,” only to discover that he has been drafted into a snuff film.
Why I feel this film has something to say – A Serbian Film is not an easy watch. But beyond the shocking content there is no doubt that this is an allegory of the horrors inflicted on the Serbian people during the collapse of Yugoslavia. During that time period, the region was marked by war crimes like genocide, ethnic cleansing, and mass rapes. The director himself said in an interview that it also represents the rot that exists underneath the veneer of today’s society.
Irréversible – Directed by Gaspar Noé
Synopsis:
A woman’s lover and her former boyfriend take justice into their own hands after she becomes the victim of a rapist.
Why I feel this film has something to say – Love him or hate him, Noé makes visually exciting, stunning films. There are few directors that push the boundaries like he does. His techniques don’t always work, but you have to admire him for trying. In this film, he plays with sound in certain key scenes in a way meant to disorient and flat out nauseate you. It’s so simple, effective, and brilliant. I have seen this particular film in two different versions: the original version that runs backwards, and the “straight cut” (read our review HERE) that runs in chronological order. I personally feel the original cut is stronger because the film is more interesting (and tragic) when we don’t know the characters and their motives until the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3qNrABvkjg
Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom – Directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini
Synopsis:
In World War II Italy, four fascist libertines round up nine adolescent boys and girls and subject them to 120 days of physical, mental, and sexual torture.
Why I feel this film has something to say – The director intended for this film to serve as a metaphor for the horrors of Mussolini’s Italy. It absolutely accomplished that, but it is also an allegory for abuse and power and could take place anywhere and at any time. It’s important to note that this was the film that Pasolini (probably) died for. He was found murdered shortly before its release – mutilated, burned with gasoline, and run over with his own car.
Frontière(s) – Directed by Xavier Gens
Synopsis:
A gang of young criminals flee Paris in a bid for freedom, only to find themselves ensnared by a family of Nazi cannibals intent on breeding a new Aryan master race.
Why I feel this film has something to say – This film explores right wing politics, fascism, and the evils of bigotry. All this while turning the gore factor up to 11. For the more traditional horror fans, Yasmine is a tough, gritty final girl.
The Sadness – Rob Jabbaz (read our interview with him HERE)
Synopsis:
As Taiwan succumbs to a viral pandemic that transforms peaceful citizens into sadistic, bloodthirsty maniacs, a young couple must battle to be reunited before they too become infected.
Why I feel this film has something to say – After living through a (non-zombie) pandemic, I can certainly see how absolutely insane people act when faced with a crisis. This film takes that idea, turns it up to 100, and dumps on more blood than I thought could fit on a screen. This is EXTREME cinema at its finest!
There are many other films that could have easily made this list: Raw, Martyrs, and Inside. Extreme horror is never going to be for everyone. Even those who love it don’t necessarily love all of it. But it does serve a purpose and sometimes produces brilliant films. I’d love to hear from readers if there are any others that you feel belong here.
