10 Great Horror Movies That Are Ugly On Purpose

1. Tetsuo: The Iron Man

The ABCs of Death
Kaijyu Theatres

Tetsuo: The Iron Man will likely stand the test of time as one of the ugliest yet most fascinating movies ever constructed. This infamous flick (which follows a man as he slowly turns into a metal abomination) is stylised in a gruelling way, making it a task to watch. But those visuals are what turned it into a cult classic.

The film on its own is full of cheap practical effects and small locations, but the black and white colour scheme, excessive gore and dizzying editing give it a painstakingly grim and gritty vibe.

To expand on that, the colourless aesthetic makes the world seem familiar yet alien simultaneously, causing you to feel like a stranger despite the relatable concrete jungle setting. This colour also gives the gorier moments an uncanniness that hides much of the movie's low budget. Plus, the chaotic editing matches the protagonist's descent into madness.

It would also be remiss not to mention the stupefying sound design. Tetsuo is full of clunky/metallic sound effects accenting everyday things, and it also features a soundtrack which fills your head with a sense of monotony. These pair together to make the movie sound like a living, breathing, industrial machine, adding another dimension to its ugliness.

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