10 Horror Movies That Never Left You

Let's be honest - a horror movie isn't a real horror movie unless it arouses true fear. If a slasher, sci-fi flick, or a found-footage doc has no authentic scares, the majority of people will forget it within a week, even if they thoroughly enjoyed it at the time.

But if a film makes you clutch your heart, hide behind a blanket, or gasp in legitimate terror, you know it's staying with you for a long, long time. While looking back at The Exorcist, Poltergeist, or The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, moviegoers don't just remember the scary scenes, but the haunting feeling they experienced while watching them for the first time.

Even though it's fascinating how horror can harbour such a hold on viewers, some go too far. There are certain movies that are so chilling, unnerving, or sickening, viewers may regret watching them.

Now, that's not suggesting the films on this list should be avoided. However, caution is advised before checking out these entries, since there's a good chance the depraved and unsettling content they harbour will effect viewers for the rest of their life.

There are plenty of stories which explore the dangers of being pressurised into an affluent but corrupt clique, including The Firm, The Wolf of Wall Street, and even Mean Girls. But few films delve into this concept more imaginatively than 1989's Society.

Brian Yuzna's horror flick follows Billy Whitney - a teen who feels like he doesn't belong in his upper-class family. When he sees people in the neighbourhood contorting their bodies in an inhumane manner, Billy suspects there's something seriously wrong, not just with his family, but his entire community.

Because Society boasts astounding practical effects, the film could've thrown in some grotesque visuals every now and again to stop viewers getting bored.

Instead, the special effects are often quick and understated, so viewers second-guess what they saw. Not only do subtle scares like this effectively build tension and paranoia, it allows the climax to have a more profound impact, since the most gruesome visuals are saved for the end.

Society is often simplified as "the movie with the butt-head guy" but its biting social commentary on elitism and conformity has allowed it to maintain its relevance for decades.