10 Horror Movies You Shouldn't Watch With Your Parents
3. Martyrs (2008)
When it comes to extreme horror, you don't get much more extreme than what's known as French Extremity. With no restrictions on their taboo subjects, films like High Tension, Inside, and Irreversible have left their gruesome mark on contemporary horror cinema. None of these films are what you'd define as pleasant viewing experiences, but none come close to that of Pascal Laugier's Martyrs.
Not to be confused with the critically-panned remake, the 2008 original sets its tone immediately by showing a seemingly inconspicuous family being massacred in cold blood. It's soon revealed, though, that the family were harbouring a dark secret involving the torture and abuse of girls - including their killer, Lucie (Myléne Jampanoï). But when one of the family's current victims is discovered, the film veers in a whole new and twisted direction.
With its strong themes of childhood abuse and trauma alongside its grotty imagery, Martyrs is truly deserving of its "extreme" label. But what makes Martyrs truly brilliant is its ability to use its violence to confront its audiences with profound questions on the meaning of life and suffering.
Maybe open with that line if you're going to make anyone else watch it with you, though.