15 Controversial Movies That Actually Live Up To The Hype

10. Audition

Borat Sacha Baron Cohen
Arrow Films

The Film:

Takashi Miike's infamous horror film, which is one of the most messed-up movies of the 90s. A story about a man using acting auditions to find a new wife, this is notable for the way in which it starts out as being a gentle romantic comedy before gradually shifting in full-on horror.

Controversy:

The record number of walkouts says it all. Gruesome, grisly and relentlessly nasty, this was definitely a predecessor to Torture Porn.

Why It Was Right:

The truth is, the film's content really is as horrifying as everyone says. The first half is actually quite touching at times, but this only makes the violence later on even more disturbing. The stuff that the film's chilling villain does to her male victims is horrific to watch; especially that certain scene involving a dog-food plate which will make you want to (ahem) vomit, but none of this is as horrifying as the film's finale.

The final torture scene is 10 minutes of sadism and agony that's nastier than anything from the Saw or Hostel films. It's not massively gory, but the emphasis on the victim's pain makes it ten times worse.

Most will never watch this one again, as it's simply too disturbing to watch more than once. It is a brilliant film which deserves to be seen, but nevertheless, no-one can blame anyone for walking out of this film. They were sparing themselves from the horrifying memories watching this film will create.

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Film Studies graduate, aspiring screenwriter and all-around nerd who, despite being a pretentious cinephile who loves art-house movies, also loves modern blockbusters and would rather watch superhero movies than classic Hollywood films. Once met Tommy Wiseau.