10 Great Movies That Are So Brutal You Can Only Watch Them Once

Summary Films like A Clockwork Orange showcase brutal violence once was enough to leave a lasting impact.

Directors like Stanley Kubrick and Ruggero Deodato created movies pushing the boundaries of dark themes.

Movies like Requiem for a Dream and 12 Years a Slave told gripping stories with graphic brutality.

This article discusses films that depict extreme violence and sexual assault.

There were occasionally incredible movies that were just so insanely brutal that they could only be endured once. From graphic depictions of violence, excruciating psychological torment, and horrifying instances of sexual assault, the cinematic landscape was filled with great movies that were so callous and ruthless that watching them just one time was enough to sear them in an audience’s memory for eternity. These kinds of films were worth watching, but after the credits rolled, viewers knew they would never willingly decide to see them again.

The kind of movies that were so brutal they could only be endured once have been produced by directors worldwide, some of whom were household names like Stanley Kubrick and others lesser-known, such as Ruggero Deodato. Truly brutal movies have pushed the boundaries of what can be depicted on screen and have tested audiences' limits with their intensity and voracity. These films were so brutal that very few would choose to rewatch them, but that did not mean they were without merit.

10 A Clockwork Orange (1971)

A Clockwork Orange featured brutal depictions of graphic violence

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buy Not available Not available Not available Directed by Stanley Kubrick, the film adaptation of Anthony Burgess's 1962 dystopian novel A Clockwork Orange presents a dark future where violent gangs roam the streets. Alex DeLarge (Malcolm McDowell) is a sadistic gang member who gets arrested and subjected to a controversial form of behavior therapy. Director Stanley Kubrick Release Date December 19, 1971 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Stanley Kubrick , Anthony Burgess Cast Malcolm McDowell , Patrick Magee , Michael Bates , Warren Clarke , John Clive , Adrienne Corri Runtime 136 minutes Budget $2.2 million Expand

Stanley Kubrick’s highly polarizing adaptation of Anthony Burgess's novel A Clockwork Orange was infamous for its graphic depiction of violence. As a story initially focused on juvenile delinquents who ran rampant, sexually assaulted victims, and caused carnage on a horrific crime spree, the opening act of A Clockwork Orange was brutal enough that one viewing was good enough to last a lifetime. However, in the latter part of the film, the leader of the droogs, Alex DeLarge, was captured and underwent equally horrific psychological experimentation.

The brutal reputation A Clockwork Orange has not diminished in the more than 50 years since its release, and after it inspired acts of copycat violence, Kubrick requested the film be withdrawn from British cinemas (via The Guardian.) While the shocking depictions of violence in A Clockwork Orange have become more common since its release, the film has maintained its power to disturb as its reflection of dystopian society mimics the percieved degradation of cultural values seen throughout the 20th century. While A Clockwork Orange has an acclaimed legacy, just one viewing will suffice for most viewers.

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9 Requiem For A Dream (2000)

Requiem for a Dream tracked character’s brutal descend into addiction

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buy Not available Not available Not available Darren Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream follows the lives of four drug addicts as they fall deeper into their addiction and pull their loved ones on a downward spiral along with themselves. The 2000 psychological drama is an adaptation of Hubert Selby Jr.'s eponymous novel and counts with a star-studded cast that includes the likes of Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans, Christopher McDonald, and Mark Margolis. Director Darren Aronofsky Release Date December 15, 2000 Studio(s) Summit Entertainment Distributor(s) Summit Entertainment Writers Darren Aronofsky , Hubert Selby Jr. Cast Jennifer Connelly Ellen Burstyn , Marlon Wayans , Christopher McDonald , Jared Leto Runtime 102 minutes Budget $4.5 million Expand

The brutality of Requiem for a Dream was primarily psychological, as it depicted its character's existence spiraling due to the adverse effects of drug addiction. Based on a novel by Hubert Selby Jr., director Darren Aronofsky took viewers on a journey to the heart of human suffering in a brutal and vulnerable look at the grueling depths of addiction that audiences could only truly bear to watch once. With strong performances from Jared Leto, Jennifer Connolly, and Ellen Burstyn, each storyline was uniquely brutal in its own way.

Leto played Harry Goldfarb, a heroin-addicted son whose need to fuel his habit ensured that he betrayed and disappointed everyone important in his life. Connolly was Marion Silver, the girlfriend whose life was destroyed by drugs, and she soon found herself forced into sex work. Finally, Burstyn delivered a career-best performance as Sara Goldfarb, the widowed mother who unwittingly found herself addicted to amphetamines her doctor prescribed her for weight loss. Together, these three stories provided a three-dimensional look at the horrors of dependency and the dark paths those caught in its grasp endured.

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8 The Passion Of The Christ (2004)

The Passion of the Christ was a brutal depiction of Jesus’s crucifixion

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buy Not available Not available Not available Directed by Mel Gibson, The Passion of the Christ is a biblical drama that follows Jesus Christ in his final 12 hours before and during the crucifixion. Starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus of Nazareth, the 2004 film was highly controversial for its graphic violence, but it was a box office success. Director Mel Gibson Release Date March 15, 2004 Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) 20th Century , Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Mel Gibson Cast Jim Caviezel , Monica Bellucci , Maia Morgenstern Runtime 127minutes Budget $30million Expand

The sheer brutality of cruxification was merely hinted at in most movies that depicted the life of Jesus Christ. However, Mel Gibson’s biblical epic The Passion of the Christ took an unflinching view of this horrific practice as it covered the final 12 hours in the life of Jesus, largely according to the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Passion of the Christ was a controversial box-office hit that Roger Ebert described as “the most violent film I have ever seen” in a four-out-of four-star review.

By depicting the crucifixion of Jesus with a level of realism and detail that no film before had ever attempted, The Passion of the Christ was a movie that many wanted to see but could only endure once. There was nothing enjoyable about witnessing such graphic depictions of pain, suffering, and violence, which made The Passion of the Christ a highly emotionally draining film experience. With the impending release of The Passion of the Christ 2, it remains to be seen if Gibson will continue the brutality in the sequel.

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7 12 Years A Slave (2013)

12 Years A Slave was the true story of a man’s brutal experiences with slavery

12 Years a Slave Directed by Steve McQueen and based on the 1853 memoir by Solomon Northup, 12 Years a Slave tells the story of Northrup, a free black man from New York who, in 1841, is captured and sold into slavery in the south. Separated from his family, and forced to endure intense brutality at the hands of his new masters, Northrup works tirelessly to stay alive and regain his freedom. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northrup, with a cast that includes Lupita Nyong'0, Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Director Steve McQueen Release Date January 9, 2014 Studio(s) Searchlight Pictures Distributor(s) Summit Entertainment , Searchlight Pictures Writers Steve McQueen , John Ridley Cast Lupita Nyong'o , Benedict Cumberbatch Chiwetel Ejiofor , Michael Fassbender , Brad Pitt Runtime 134minutes Budget $22 million Expand

Movie viewing experiences became even more difficult to watch with the knowledge that what was being depicted was a true story. This was certainly the case for 12 Years a Slave, which was a biographical drama about Solomon Northup, a free man who was captured and sold into slavery in 1841. The grueling years of torture that Solomon endured acted as a horrific reminder of the shameful history of slavery in the United States and all that those who were subjected to it were forced to endure.

12 Years A Slave received widespread critical acclaim and even earned the Academy Award for Best Picture, making Steve McQueen the first black British director to gain that honor. As a brutal look at American slavery, 12 Years A Slave was essential viewing, although its difficult subject matter made it hard to watch more than once. With strong performances, an incredible director, and a story that needed to be told, 12 Years a Slave deserved all the acclaim it received, although it made for difficult viewing.

6 I Spit On Your Grave (1978)

I Spit on Your Grave contained extreme depictions of sexual violence

I Spit On Your Grave (1978) Director Meir Zarchi Release Date November 22, 1979 Studio(s) Cinemagic Pictures Distributor(s) The Jerry Gross Organization Writers Meir Zarchi Cast Camille Keaton , Eron Tabor , Richard Pace , Anthony Nichols Runtime 102 Minutes Budget $80,000 Main Genre Horror Expand

I Spit on Your Grave was a highly controversial and divisive rape-and-revenge film known for its extreme depictions of sexual assault and violence. Telling the story of a woman exacting revenge on the men who tormented her and left her for dead, I Spit On Your Grave did not hold back when it came to sheer brutality and was banned in many countries for its perceived glorification of violence against women. Despite this controversial reputation, I Spit on Your Grave was also a cult classic that spawned a remake and a direct sequel.

Written and directed by Meir Zarchi, this film was so brutal that it has been described by film critic Roger Ebert as the worst movie ever made, who called it “a vile bag of garbage” that was “without a shred of artistic distinction.” The debate has raged for decades about whether or not I Spit on Your Grave could be considered pro- and anti-women due to its story of Jennifer Hills tracking down and killing her tormentors. But one thing was for certain: The brutality of I Spit on Your Grave could only be stomached once.

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5 Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

Cannibal Holocaust was so brutal some believed it had to be real

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buy Not available Not available Not available Cannibal Holocaust is a controversial 1980 horror film directed by Ruggero Deodato. It follows anthropologist Harold Monroe (Robert Kerman) and his rescue team as they venture into the Amazon jungle to investigate the disappearance of documentary crew that went missing while researching a cannibalistic tribe. Director Ruggero Deodato Release Date June 21, 1985 Studio(s) United Artists Distributor(s) United Artists Writers Gianfranco Clerici Cast Robert Kerman , Francesca Ciardi , Perry Pirkanen , Luca Barbareschi Runtime 95 minutes Budget $100 thousand Expand

Cannibal Holocaust was an innovative horror movie that was so brutal that many thought it had to be real. This belief led to the director, Ruggero Deodato, being arrested for obscenity and even being charged with murder due to the rumors that cast members were killed on camera (via Collider.) As an Italian exploitation film, Cannibal Holocaust, followed a rescue team trying to find a crew of filmmakers who went missing while filming a documentary on local cannibal tribes.

As one of the very first found-footage horror movies ever made, it was no surprise that the realism of its style made viewers believe that Cannibal Holocaust was real. With truly impressive gore effects, the perspective of Cannibal Holocaust was so engrossing that it really could only be watched once. As a movie full of truly repugnant imagery throughout, Cannibal Holocaust was a film to be endured rather than enjoyed.

4 Antichrist (2009)

Antichrist was a brutal examination of death, life, love, and se

Antichrist (2009) Antichrist is a psychological horror film directed by Lars von Trier, starring Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg. Following the devastating loss of their child, a grieving couple retreats to their cabin in the woods, where they encounter strange and terrifying events. The film explores themes of grief, trauma, and the human psyche, set against an unsettling forest backdrop. Director Lars von Trier Release Date May 20, 2009 Studio(s) Zentropa Entertainments , Slot Machine , Memfis Film , Trollhättan Film , Zentropa International Köln , Lucky Red , Zentropa International Poland , Arte France Cinéma , ZDF/Arte , Liberator Productions , Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen , DR , Arte , Film i Väst , SVT , Canal+ , CNC , Det Danske Filminstitut , Deutscher Filmförderfonds (DFFF) , Nordisk Film & TV Fond , PISF , Svenska Filminstitutet , ZDF Writers Lars von Trier Cast Willem Dafoe , Charlotte Gainsbourg , Storm Acheche Sahlstrøm Runtime 109 Minutes Budget 11000000.0 Main Genre Drama Expand

When thinking about movies that were so brutal they could only be watched once, many of the works of Danish director Lars von Trier came to mind. However, one stood above the rest, and that was Antichrist, von Trier’s terrifying story about a couple (Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg) who experienced the accidental death of their infant child and retreated to the woods to grieve. As if this theme weren’t difficult enough, Antichrist's forbidding aesthetic made every scene truly creepy.

The psychological brutality of Antichrist was difficult to endure, and different cuts of the film exist with some of the most explicit scenes removed. However, the uncut version of Antichrist was a grotesque masterpiece that dealt with death, love, sex, and the meaninglessness of it all. Von Trier's work has always delved into the heart of human misery, and Antichrist was no different. While Antichrist had a lot of artistic merit, it was also so brutal that it could only be watched once.

3 Evil Dead (2013)

Evil Dead replaced the humor of the original with sheer brutality

Evil Dead (2013) Evil Dead is a 2013 reboot of the popular horror franchise created by Sam Raimi. Ash Williams doesn't play a role in the film's plot, with the movie instead focusing on a new group of friends who stumble across the Book of the Dead in a secluded forest. The reboot stars Jane Levy as the new "Final Girl" of the franchise. Director Fede Alvarez Release Date April 5, 2013 Studio(s) TriStar Pictures , FilmDistrict , Ghost House Pictures Distributor(s) Sony Writers Fede Alvarez , Rodo Sayagues Cast Jane Levy , Shiloh Fernandez , Lou Taylor Pucci , Jessica Lucas , Elizabeth Blackmore Runtime 91 Minutes Franchise(s) Evil Dead Sequel(s) Evil Dead Rise prequel(s) The Evil Dead (1981) , Evil Dead 2 , Army of Darkness Budget $17 Million Expand

As one of the greatest horror remakes ever made, the 2013 version of Evil Dead reimagined the series not as a comedy-horror fueled by Bruce Campbell's cartoonish antics but as an intensely brutal supernatural story. What Evil Dead lacked in absurd humor, it more than made up for in gory violence, unrelenting horror, and frantic scares. An impressive new direction for the long-running horror franchise, Evil Dead was packed with gleeful violence so brutal it could only be watched once.

Directed by Fede Álvarez, Evil Dead was chilling from start to finish as a group of five people were attacked by deadites in a remote cabin in the woods. Although this was a story horror enthusiasts had seen several times before, the brutality of Evil Dead made it seem entirely new. A hit at the box office, Evil Dead led to the sequel, Evil Dead Rises, which also received critical acclaim.

2 Martyrs (2008)

Martyrs was a brutal depiction of graphic violence

Martyrs (2008) Martyrs is a French-Canadian horror film directed by Pascal Laugier. The movie follows Lucie and Anna, two women who are entangled in a harrowing journey of revenge and unimaginable torment. The film explores themes of suffering and the quest for transcendence, presenting a stark narrative that challenges both its characters and viewers. Director Pascal Laugier Release Date September 3, 2008 Studio(s) Eskwad , Wild Bunch , TCB Film Distributor(s) Wild Bunch Writers Pascal Laugier Cast Morjana Alaoui , Mylène Jampanoï Runtime 99 Minutes Main Genre Horror Expand

Martyrs often ranked among the greatest horror movies ever made, but it was also such an intense viewing experience that it could only be endured once. It followed the story of a young woman’s quest for revenge against those who tortured her as a child, and the brutality of its depiction cannot be understated. Made by French director Pascal Laugier, Martyrs was an example of the New Extremity film movement, whose films were notable for graphic violence and explicit depictions of sexual assault.

Martys was highly controversial at the time of its release, and it was reported that viewers collapsed and vomited during early screenings (via Total Film). The controversy around the movie was captured in the documentary Martyrs vs. Censorship, which highlighted just how brutal the movie was and its reception in France and worldwide. While Martyrs made for difficult viewing, it also received widespread acclaim from those who made it all the way through.

1 Come And See (1985)

Come and See was among the most brutal war movies ever produced

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buy Not available Not available Not available Come and See is a 1985 Soviet war drama directed by Elem Klimov. The film follows a young Belarusian boy named Flyora as he witnesses and experiences the horrors of World War II. Through his eyes, viewers are exposed to the brutal realities of war and its devastating impact on humanity. Renowned for its stark portrayal of violence and suffering, the film is considered a powerful anti-war statement. Director Elem Klimov Release Date October 17, 1985 Studio(s) Belarusfilm , Mosfilm Writers Elem Klimov , Ales Adamovich Cast Aleksei Kravchenko , Olga Mironova , Liubomiras Laucevicius , Vladas Bagdonas , Jüri Lumiste Runtime 142 Minutes Main Genre Drama Expand

The intensely brutal Soviet Belarusian anti-war movie Come and See focused on the Nazi occupation of Belarus from the point of view of the teenager Flyora. As an unrelenting depiction of atrocity and human suffering, Flyora was witness to graphic and difficult-to-face examples of the worst acts of humanity after joining the resident movement. With a mix of hyperreal and surrealist imagery, Come and See was the type of movie that viewers could only watch once.

Come and See was a war movie of such brutality that many may be able to take the full existential nightmare that it depicted. However, one thing was certain: anyone who has watched will never forget the horrors seen on screen. Come and See has rightfully been remembered as a classic of anti-war cinema, the memory of which would be searing into the audience's brain with just one solitary viewing.

Sources: The Guardian, Roger Ebert (The Passion of the Christ), Roger Ebert (I Spit on Your Grave), Collider, Total Film