In cinema, films don’t only entertain but sometimes spark passionate debates among fans and viewers. Some of these movies etch themselves in our memories; we’ll never forget how they made us feel, even years after. Here are 22 films that pushed audience buttons like never before:
Gone Girl (2014)
At the end of the film, you’re practically left screaming at the screen because Amy gets away with all the horrible things she did, and Nick is forced to stay with her to maintain the facade of a happy, reunited family after she reveals she’s pregnant.
Uncut Gems (2019)
Uncut Gems is the most stress-inducing movie I’ve seen. The constant chaos and intense atmosphere had me on edge. The tension in the movie is palpable, and the plot keeps taking unexpected turns. The end of the movie had me completely floored.
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)
This documentary film evokes a lot of strong emotions as it tells a deeply tragic story. The interviews with the friends and family are just heartbreaking. Seeing how the justice system failed Zachary got viewers angry. The emotional intensity of the film is quite like no other.
War of the Worlds (2005)
I get that an alien invasion would be really scary and have people doing crazy things, but did the little girl have to keep screaming? She never does what she’s told and keeps running off. At one point, I wanted her to get grabbed.
The Mist (2007)
Frank Darabont knew what he was doing when he changed the ending of The Mist. Watching a father find out he and his son would have survived if he had just waited a few more moments was completely devastating. His reaction was just heartbreaking.
Alpha Dog (2006)
The tragic and senseless crime depicted in the film leaves the audience saddened at the waste of young lives. The perpetrators of the crime don’t face any consequences for their actions. What makes it more frustrating is the fact that it’s based on a true story.
Mystic River (2003)
A sad and desperate search for the murderer of his daughter results in Jimmy forcing Boyle into a confession. After he confesses, Jimmy kills him and discovers the next day that Boyle was innocent. This revelation has the audience disgusted and angry they ever rooted for Jimmy.
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
This film is deliberately ambiguous and introduces mysteries that have no clear answers. You’re trying to make out what a scene means, and then they just introduce explicit sexual scenes out of nowhere. It was so frustrating and definitely wasn’t what I was expecting.
Blonde (2022)
Unlike what the film’s marketing campaign depicted, Blonde is a fictionalized approach to Marilyn Monroe’s life. The artistic liberties the director took made Marilyn look conceited and shallow. Fans of the famous actress and model were left frustrated and disappointed by the depiction.
Double Jeopardy (1999)
The writers of the show really should’ve done their research on how double jeopardy works. Watching it get misinterpreted in the film made me cringe every time. I can only imagine how much this film drove lawyers crazy.
I Care a Lot (2020)
This dark comedy-thriller centers on the exploitation of vulnerable elderly individuals by legal guardians. It blurs the lines between right and wrong, making it frustrating for viewers to root for anyone. It also critiques the unethical behavior prevalent in the healthcare and legal system.
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (2007)
The two main characters in the film do something stupid, and there are no easy solutions to remedy it. The morally complex storyline enables the film to explore a number of intense emotions, and the ending’s pessimistic tone leaves no room for redemption. Now, that’s just depressing.
Funny Games (2007)
Funny Games features intense and disturbing scenes that tend to make a lot of people uncomfortable. Moments where characters break the fourth wall have viewers feeling complicit in the violent acts. What really pushes the audience’s buttons is how the narrative structure denies them the satisfaction of a conventional resolution.
Zodiac (2007)
Just about every serial killer movie ends after the identity of the killer is revealed and they’re caught. But Zodiac was never really caught in real life, and Fincher decides to keep it that way in the film. Finding out that this killer likely got away with his crimes was unsettling for many viewers.
The Founder (2016)
Ray Kroc exploits the ideas and innovations of the McDonald brothers and ultimately loses the original vision of the McDonald brand, thanks to corporate greed. The betrayal of the brothers was frustrating to watch, and seeing the obnoxious Kroc get away with everything was rage-inducing.
Eden Lake (2008)
The brutality in this film is not only extreme but also feels realistic. The unrelenting tension has viewers on edge. The teenagers in the film have no clear motivations for their actions. They’re cruel and violent simply for the fun of it.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012)
Having the final showdown of the whole franchise be a vision is one of the things I don’t think I’ll ever forgive Twilight for. After watching the satisfying deaths of some of the Volturi and finding out it’s not real made me almost scream in the theater.
I Spit on Your Grave (2010)
This film contains scenes of extreme violence and sexual assault. The assault scene felt gratuitous and was over the top. Having revenge as a central theme portrayed violent retribution. The film contains a lot of sensitive subjects that evoke powerful responses from viewers.
The Hunt (2012)
The Hunt delves into deeply unsettling themes, making viewers confront and question their morals and beliefs. It shows how easily a person’s life can be torn apart by a false accusation and how quickly society and friends will turn on you. Took me a minute to calm down after seeing this
Gone Baby Gone (2007)
The whole movie is about an irresponsible mother who has her daughter taken from her. You’d think she’d change her ways after getting her back, right? She goes right back to leaving her daughter uncatered for, angering the audience and making them question if Patrick really did the best thing for Amanda.
The Grey (2011)
The trailers promised a fight between a wolf pack and the protagonist. Audiences were disgruntled to see the screen cut to black when the showdown was about to begin. What even irritated them more was the post-credits scene that showed the aftermath of the fight, but both their fates are unknown. Talk about false advertising.
Marley & Me (2008)
This is the kind of movie that takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions, especially if you’re a dog person like me. Watching Marley get euthanized after changing the life of that family is something I don’t think I’ll ever emotionally recover from.
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