The Most Divisive Horror Films Ever Made

The horror movie genre might not be everyone’s choice or preference, but for some people, it stands at first. Even though this genre often falls into the controversial limelight, there’s still a large audience for the horror and gore genre. 

People all around the world are always looking for intense psychological thriller-horror flicks with suspense and jump scares. Hollywood has consistently produced some of the best horror movies and series, including The Conjuring Universe, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and many others.

While many filmmakers strive to provide the finest possible experience for their audiences, certain films may have gone too far in terms of violence and murder. Some examples include the Wrong Turn movies and the Evil Dead. 

Many horror films have depicted humanity’s greatest fears in a visual form. It’s not easy to show your audience the evil you’re thinking about. A few horror films have also raised awareness about mental health concerns and how they can affect a person’s mentality. The Babadook, Psycho, and Repulsion are just a few examples of how mental illness paired with paranormal activity can cause something truly terrifying.

To give you a better idea, in this post, we’ve gathered some of the most controversial, banned and restricted horror films of all time, with violent, sexual, political, and religious themes that were highly unsettling and disturbing. 

Silent night, deadly night (1984)

Because this picture is based on a serial killer, there were some graphic moments. ‘You’ve made it through Halloween, now try to make it through Christmas,’ says the official movie poster. 

Christmas is a time of love, wishes, prayers, and unity among family members, not violence, massacre, and mayhem. In the film, a deviant teenager disguised as Santa Claus goes completely off the rails and begins a murdering spree throughout the holiday season. 

The murderer’s motivation is hidden behind the childhood abuse he endured by his mother – surperior of the orphanage. 

In its first week of release, the film out-grossed another classic horror film of the time, ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street,’ at the box office. The glorious days, however, were limited. After generating widespread parental outrage for portraying Santa Claus as a tormented serial killer, the film’s producers were compelled to pull it from theaters barely a week after its debut.

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

This film isn’t only about violence. It’s also one of the earliest films to feature the now-famous ‘found footage’ genre. The film is based on the experiences of documentary filmmakers who were murdered and eaten by cannibals. 

Although the movie is based on fake events, the film’s special effects were so realistic that Ruggero Deodato, the director, was accused of murdering his actors. To prove his innocence, he had to give evidence to the court. The film was banned around the world due to its extreme violence and depiction of real animal cruelty.

Child’s Play 3 (1991)

Child’s Play, the infamous killer doll movie franchise, shot to stardom almost immediately after the first film was released. When the third sequel of the franchise was released, it was claimed that the film depicted the real-life murder of a small kid in the United Kingdom. 

Because of this claim, the film was restricted in the United Kingdom. Although the allegations were subsequently proved to be false, the tragedy and agony associated with the real-life incident and the film were recorded in history.

The Exorcist (1973)

The Academy Award-winning film ‘The Exorcist’ is regarded as one of the scariest films of all time. Even though the film exposes the horrific and dark reality of religion, demonic possession, and the concept of sacrilege, it is a frightening and disturbing film.

For other viewers, the film was a slap in the face to their religious beliefs. The film was criticized by the Catholic Church. Evangelist Billy Graham said that the cinema celluloid itself was possessed by demons.

I spit on your grave (2010)

The brutal rape-and-revenge genre is well-known in this film. A young woman is viciously raped and sexually assaulted by a group of men, who subsequently abandon her to die in the film. 

Fortunately, the girl lives, and she plots the most heinous and horrific retaliation against her tormentors. The film earned unfavorable reviews from critics and was eventually banned around the world. Roger Ebert, a film critic, declared the film to be “the worst movie of all time.”

Slender Man (2018)

This film has all the trappings of giving anyone the creeps. The film sparked controversy soon after its trailer was released. The controversy said that evoked the horrific real-life attempted murder of a teenager by her peers. Several people have banded together to create petitions to stop the film from being released.

Conclusion

Over time, the horror genre has diversified. There are numerous horror sub-branches nowadays. Some people believe that a horror film isn’t complete without gore and thrilling bloodshed, while others prefer psychological thriller-horror films. A movie, on the other hand, is a type of entertainment that should be kept within its bounds. Going too far with this genre might be detrimental to one’s mental health.

Have you watched any of the above-listed movies and if yes, what are your thoughts about it? Let us know in the comment section below.