10 Intense Horror Movies That Dared You To Sit Through Them
Consider us traumatised.
The horror genre is designed, not just to entertain, but to scare. Unfortunately, some moviegoers can build up an immunity to blood and guts, so gore doesn't faze them, no matter how over-the-top it is. Even though The Exorcist, Alien, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre are considered the peak of horror, fans of the genre can watch features like this without batting an eyelid.
But make no mistake - there are slashers, gothic thrillers, and creepy folktales that will curl the toes of anyone. Although everyone finds different things unsettling, certain films tap into something universally primal, that's sure to leave everybody shaking in their boots.
Just to be clear, the entries on this list aren't just scary - they're challenging. Whether it's the boundless violence, the repulsive imagery, or the disturbing premise, there's something about each of these movies that'll leave the most hardened horror veterans wincing, averting their eyes, or switching it off long before the credits roll.
Because these ten horror films go above and beyond to push the envelope, viewers should be warned before giving them a look.
10. The Girl Next Door
The Girl Next Door opens with David Moran reflecting on his time as a child, when he fell for his neighbour, Meg Loughlin. As he spent more time with Meg's carer, Aunt Ruth, he realised she and the rest of her family were mistreating Meg.
One of the reasons The Girl Next Door is so impactful is because it has no horror elements whatsoever at first. For the first 30 minutes, it feels like a coming-of-age story, akin to Stand By Me or The Sandlot.
Even when darker elements start being incorporated, no one expects The Girl Next Door to go as dark as it does. As Ruth compels her children to perform unspeakable acts of evil on Meg, she genuinely comes across like a cartoon villain.
Which brings us to the scariest part - This is based on a true story. The Girl Next Door doesn't embellish any of the real-life events, because it doesn't need to. Without relying on theatrics or flair, it shows the terrifying malevolence which human beings are capable of. Although gore is minimal, it's unneeded, since the film has no trouble conveying the atrocities which Meg endured.