Psychologically uncomfortable films like Funny Games (1997)

Could anyone who has seen and felt psychologically uncomfortable during Funny Games (1997) suggest similar films? My own suggestions are:

  • Midsommar (2019),
  • Eden Lake (2008),
  • Mother! (2017).
24 points · 34 comments · view on lemmy.world

34 Comments

probable_possum@leminal.space · 9 pts · 20d (8 replies)

You mean like Man Bites Dog (original French title: C'est arrivé près de chez vous) a Belgian mockumentary about a serial killer and his film crew?

probable_possum@leminal.space · 3 pts · 20d (1 reply)
arsCynic@piefed.social · 2 pts · 4d

Good film. Not really uncomfortable psychologically, but definitely gastronomically. Ugh. The analogy with consumerism is spot on. Thanks again for both suggestions.

arsCynic@piefed.social · 3 pts · 19d (1 reply)

Never heard of this and I'm Belgian. Noted. Thank you!

Bonus@piefed.social · 2 pts · 19d

Spoiler: It goes over the top and is very definitely not for everybody. That being said, I never get why anyone gets all serious about it. It's clearly absurdist satire. It's just taken to very French dark comedic place.

one_old_coder@piefed.social · 3 pts · 20d (1 reply)

The parents of the main actor (Benoît Poelvoorde ) played in that movie, and didn't knew what it was all about. He ended up being a great actor making a lot of funny movies.

probable_possum@leminal.space · 3 pts · 20d

I believe you.

When I watched it years ago I hated the movie and the director for what he shoved down the audiences throats. But what can I say, the movie stuck with me unlike others that I had forgotten a week later.

arsCynic@piefed.social · 2 pts · 9d (1 reply)

Expected Man Bites Dog to be average, but goddamn this is some excellent film making and acting.

probable_possum@leminal.space · 1 pts · 9d

I did not expect you to enjoy it that much. But good for you. :)

After all it's not a bad movie. It's just disturbing for some, myself included.

Senor_Cardgage@lemmy.ca · 9 pts · 20d (1 reply)
probable_possum@leminal.space · 6 pts · 20d

If we're doing revenge movies, let's add Park Chan-wooks Old Boy (2003) to the list.

WatDabney@sopuli.xyz · 6 pts · 20d (1 reply)

Though a bit different focus - Happiness (1998).

arsCynic@piefed.social · 2 pts · 16d

Just watched it again because I forgot everything. What a ride.

one_old_coder@piefed.social · 5 pts · 20d

A bit graphic but I saw Visitor Q with a friend at the theater. We were 2 in the whole room. I don't really remember what happens in this movie, but it may be a bit uncomfortable: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visitor_Q

ElcaineVolta@kbin.melroy.org · 5 pts · 20d (1 reply)

have you tried any of Lars Von Trier's work?

arsCynic@piefed.social · 2 pts · 19d

Yeah, I particularly loved Idioterne. However, Trier's films didn't make me uncomfortable.

JadeEast@quokk.au · 4 pts · 20d (1 reply)

A Serbian Film

arsCynic@piefed.social · 3 pts · 19d

A Serbian Film

Yeah, folks, don't watch this on a first date. However, to me it's not as psychologically uncomfortable probably because it's so unrelatable or near impossible to happen in real life. What makes a great psychological thriller/horror is when the viewer knows it could happen to them.

x_pikl_x@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 19d

Pi

OddDeer@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 20d (1 reply)

Someone already mentioned it, but Man Bites Dog fits the category really well and is a very interesting watch.

arsCynic@piefed.social · 2 pts · 19d

Had to watch the trailer to recall The Killing of a Sacred Deer, I must've repressed the awkwardness of that kid. Beau is Afraid I've seen recently. Good, but didn't do it for me. Adding Be My Cat: A Film For Anne to the list. Much appreciated!

TribblesBestFriend@startrek.website · 4 pts · 20d (1 reply)

Elle by Paul Verhoeven

arsCynic@piefed.social · 2 pts · 17d

Just watched it. Didn't feel uncomfortable but excellent movie. Thank you.

UpAndAtThem@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 20d (1 reply)

'The Gift' 2015

espentan@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 19d

That's a good recommendation.

luthis@lemmy.nz · 3 pts · 20d

I haven't seen any of them but they are all going on the list

el_twitto@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 19d

Once you've had kids, it becomes a little more difficult to watch some films with difficult subjects like torture and murder in them. That said I had a hard time with Funny Games way before I ever had kids. I remember watching that made me want to climb into the film and put a shotgun in the mouths of those two fuckers.

srsh@piefed.social · 3 pts · 20d

Speak no evil 2022

Madzielle@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 19d

https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/250574-creep

Creep (2014) and Creep 2 (2017) are def weird fuckin movies.

Husband put it on and uh, it's 100% living up to being an uncomfortable film.

RizzRustbolt@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 19d (1 reply)

The Kid Detective

arsCynic@piefed.social · 1 pts · 7d

Almost didn't consider it because of the title. Decent film.

tgirlschierke@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 19d

I loved Funny Games, and I also loved Martyrs (2008), but that's kind of a basic pick

NorthernLightMountain@piefed.social · 0 pts · 18d (1 reply)

Requiem for a Dream gets kind of bleak..

arsCynic@piefed.social · 1 pts · 17d

Depressing, yes, among my all time favourite films. However, for me it's not psychologically tormenting like a claustrophobic person that goes spelunking.