Psychologically Disturbing, Round One: Last House on the Left vs. Gummo

The Last House on the Left (1972, Directed by Wes Craven)



Synopsis: A group of escaped convicts kidnap two young women from good homes and force them to commit humiliating sexual acts.

Why This Film Was Chosen: I needed a film from the rape/revenge sub-genre of exploitation films, and I thought I Spit on Your Grave sucked.

Key Disturbing Moment: The escaped convicts force one of the young women to soil her jeans for their amusement.

vs.

Gummo (1997, Directed by Harmony Korine)



Synopsis: A look into the lives of the residents of a small Ohio town once decimated by a tornado.

Why This Film Was Chosen: Don't listen to critics who describe this film as hyperrealistic. I've seen the Appalachians and the Rust Belt, and people there actually live like the characters of this film.

Key Disturbing Moment: Too many to count...I'd say the film's authenticity is what makes it disturbing. ​

 

Gummo is a film the just creeps me the fuck out. I watched the trailer and read about the movie and have no desire what so ever to watch it. It isn't because the film seems overly violent or gory, but it is the hygienics. Yes, I said the hygienics are what win this movie over for me. The characters are so creepy looking and uncouth, and the fact of the matter is I have seen people who look like these creepers in real life. The realistic side of Gummo is probably the most disturbing part, at least for me. Not to mention everything I have read about it has been vague, and the trailer is very subtle, so I don't really know what is going on.