Crime dramas are one of the most important genresin the history of film, as it is impossible to look back at the history of the medium without thinking about all-time classics likeThe Godfather, The Maltese Falcon, On The Waterfront,orTaxi Driver.Crime films have often been at the foray of pushing the film industry forward in terms of incorporating explicit content on screen; even when Hollywood dealt with more serious censorship issues, crime films were able to hint at darker themes that many studios would traditionally shy away from.
Today, crime films are where many of the most exciting filmmakers are working to make exciting and potentially divisive, even though the genre hasbeen dominated by many prestige television showslikeBreaking Bad, The Sopranos,andThe Wire. Here are the ten most disturbing crime films, ranked.
Editor’s note: The following contains discussion of unsettling, graphic and violent content. Please be advised.
10‘Oldboy’ (2003)
Directed by Park Chan-wook
Oldboyhas one of the most upsetting plot twists of all-time, but that’s not the only reason whyPark Chan-wook’s captivating 2003 thriller is one of the most disturbing films ever made.Oldboyis a filmthat questions the value of revenge, as it suggests that any acts of vengeance are bound to result in even more violence and catastrophe.
Oldboybecame renowned for its brutal fight scenes, including the infamous “hallway sequence” which has inspired many other “one shot” moments in popular projects, most notably in the first season of the Marvel Netflix seriesDaredevil. The depiction of torture, sexual assault, mental health dosorders, and drug abuse makeOldboya completely unique reinvention of the crime thriller genre that is very hard to watch more than once, even for those that can stomach disturbing content on a regular basis.
After being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must find his captor in five days.
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9‘American History X’ (1998)
Directed by Tony Kaye
American History Xisunlike any other drama filmbecause it seeks to unpack the origins of the country’s racial discrimination issues.Edward Nortongives one of the best performances of his career as a former neo-Nazi skinhead who goes through a significant change when he is imprisoned, and begins seeking out a path of redemption.
American History Xincludes extremely upsetting depictions of hate crimes, sexual assault, and police brutality, all of which sadly feel just as relevant today as they were when the film was first released in 1998. What’s most upsetting is thatAmerican History Xdoes not sanitize its narrative in the hope of giving an easy solution to an issue this complex; the shocking moment of violence that ends the film indicates that the cycle of hatred and bloodlust cannot easily be stopped, even if redemption is possible.
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8‘We Need To Talk About Kevin’ (2011)
Directed by Lynne Ramsay
We Need To Talk About Kevinevokes modern fears about the epidemic of school shootingsby delving into the mind of a disturbed teenager (Ezra Miller)and his complex relationship with his mother(Tilda Swinton). The brilliance ofWe Need To Talk About Kevinis that it does not treat the outburst of violence as a major plot twist; the audience is well aware of what’s coming, and is forced to sit with the uncomfortable ending that the film is hinting at.
We Need To Talk About Kevinbrings to life every parent’s nightmare about raising a monster, and shows the shame, guilt, and anxiety that are specific to the maternal experience. DirectorLynne Ramsayhas a history of making very visceral crime movies, butWe Need To Talk About Kevinis certainly the most disturbing film that she had made thus far in her career.
We Need To Talk About Kevin
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Directed by Abel Ferrara
Bad Lieutenantwas a subversion of the typical “heroic cop” narrative that had been perpetrated by many crime films, asHarvey Keitelgave a transfixing performance as a corrupt law enforcement officer who is assigned to track down the criminals responsible for assaulting a Catholic nun.Bad Lieutenantis among the rare NC-17 rated films that actually made a sizable dent at the box office, as generally the restrictive rating limits the commercial potential.
Bad Lieutenantdepicts harrowing moments of violence, drug abuse, and sexual assaultthat are disturbing because of how realisticallyAbel Ferraradirects the film’s analysis of police and criminal culture. While the film touches on potentthemes of sin and forgiveness, it is also the type of project that is meant to provoke extreme reactions out of its audience because of how bleak its worldview is.
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Directed by Pedro Almodovar
Bad Educationis one of the many masterpieces of Pedro Almodóvar’s career, but one of the few instances in which the beloved Spanish writer/director used his aptitude for sprawling ensemble stories for a crime drama.Bad Educationis a film that viewers may need to take multiple viewing to fully comprehend, as it incorporates several plot twists and fluctuating character identities; that being said,Bad Educationis also a harrowing examination of sexual abuse that may be difficult to watch more than once.
Bad Educationis a harrowing look at the lingering effects of childhood traumathat has real empathy for the victims of abuse, thanks in no small part to the brilliant performance byGael García Bernal. The similarities that Almodovar draws withmore traditionally crowd pleasing coming-of-age narrativesonly makes the subtext ofBad Educationmore disturbing.
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5‘The House That Jack Built’ (2018)
Directed by Lars Von Trier
The House That Jack Builtis proof that Lars Von Trier is the most uncompromising filmmaker of his generation, as none of the controversy surrounding his work onNymphomaniacorBreaking The Wavesdissuade him from makinghis most disturbing thriller yet.The House That Jack Builtis a look into the mind of a truly disturbed serial killer, played in a haunting performance byMatt Dillon, who had once been a generational heartthrob with his work inThe OutsidersandDrugstore Cowboy.
The House That Jack Builtis unafraid to get darkly comic when detailing its violent sequences, forcing the audience to question how far they are willing to go. Nothing about the experience of watchingThe House That Jack Builtis intended to be pleasant, but the idea that Von Trier was able to laugh at some of the most extreme acts of savagery somehow makes it even more disturbing.
The House That Jack Built
In five episodes, failed architect and vicious sociopath Jack recounts his elaborately orchestrated murders – each, as he views them, a towering work of art that defines his life’s work as a serial killer in the Pacific Northwest.
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4‘Wild at Heart’ (1990)
Directed by David Lynch
Wild at Heartis perhaps the darkest film of David Lynch’s career, as even a narratives as oppressive and disturbing asBlue VelvetorTwin Peaks: Fire Walk With Meleave the door open for some amount of hope. Comparatively,Wild at Heartis a disturbing venture into the dark side of the “American dream” that retrofits the iconography ofElvis Presleymusic andThe Wizard of Ozinto a dark road trip adventure about two lovers having to elude the forces that seek to drive them apart.
Wild at Heartis quite shocking in its depiction of evil, asWillem Dafoeplays one of the most evil charactersthat have appeared in any of Lynch’s films. Although aspects of the film are quite gritty, the surrealist influence turns the somewhat straightforward set up into what feels like waking up from a nightmare.
Wild at Heart
Wild at Heart: This film follows a passionate young couple on a wild road trip across the American South, pursued by a cast of eccentric characters. As they navigate love, danger, and surreal circumstances, their journey explores themes of freedom and identity in a stylized, visceral narrative landscape.
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3‘Se7en’ (1995)
Directed by David Fincher
Se7enkicked off a wave of serial killer films in the 1990s, but managed to get far deeper into the psychology of disturbed villains than many of its imitators.David Finchercreated a series of graphic murders, each of which are more disturbing than the next;the iconic ending featuring the excruciating deathofGwyneth Paltrow’s character has been seared in the memories of every moviegoer that was taken by surprise when they first witnessed it. However, some of the most disturbing moments inSe7enare those that Fincher leaves open to interpretation.
Se7enis particularly disturbing because Fincher’s world view is so cynical, as evidenced by the haunting final line fromMorgan Freeman. Fincher would return to the serial killer genre withZodiacandThe Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, butSe7enremains the most visceral project that he has ever worked on about the subject.
Two detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives.
2‘Man Bites Dog’ (1992)
Directed by Rémy Belvaux
Man Bites Dogwas a radical reinvention of the mockumentary genrethat follows a group of fictional filmmakers that track the activities of a serial killer. While most mockumentariestend to be more comedicin the vein ofThis Is Spinal TeamorPopstar: Never Stop Never Stopping,Man Bites Dogexplores the concept to its logical extremes as the film crew begins aiding and abetting the serial killer that they are intending to cover.
Man Bites Doghas a lot to say about how willful ignorance is an issue in media,and its use of realistic crime scene photography only makes the central conceit more disturbing.Man Bites Dogisn’t just a collection of disturbing moments of murder and assault, but a condemnation of audiences that seek out these types of stories and don’t think about the events that inspired them.
Man Bites Dog
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1‘Funny Games’ (1997)
Directed by Michael Haneke
Funny Gamesis a masterwork from director Michael Hanekethat plays with the cinematic medium tocreate an ambiguous storythat breaks the fourth wall. Unlike traditional slasher films likeThe Texas Chain Saw MassacreorA Nightmare On Elm Street,Funny Gamespresents serial killer characters who look and feel like normal people up until the point that their dastardly evil plans are revealed.
Funny Gamesis disturbing because it uses the home invasion genre to destroy the concept of safety, giving the victims no room to feel safe in any capacity. Although the film can certainly be perceived to be a satire of the indifference of the wealthy class that is never held accountable for their privilege, there’s never a moment when the rampant abuse and torture that the characters are forced to go through is not upsetting to watch.
