10 Shocking Movie Moments That Made People Leave The Cinema
9. Crash (1996)
David Cronenberg might now be deep into his weightier dramas, but once upon a time he was the king of body horror, gore and transgression.
Based on J. G. Ballard's 1973 novel, Crash shocked 90s viewers more than the source had rattled those in the 70s. Depicting a group of symphorophiliacs (those aroused by tragedy) who get their rocks off to car crashes, the film steps up gear after gear, going great lengths to show the protagonists' depravity.
Audiences found much of this film hard to swallow, but felt particularly aggrieved at the climax in which James Ballard (James Spader) causes an intentional collision with his wife, Catherine (Deborah Kara Unger), after which the pair have sex by the wreck in the verge of the road, James whispering "maybe the next one" as Catherine appears to lament her continued existence.
They walked out on it at Cannes, they walked out on it in cinemas, and they called for it to be banned. But we're still talking about it, so maybe Cronenberg did something right...