The grand daddy of all the harsh movies I've seen

I've seen all the Serbian Films, Cannibal Holocausts and many Days of Sodom (all films considered 'the most disturbing ever created').


None have been able to match the impact this film had on me. The more demented films you watch, the more you realise that graphic onscreen violence isn't what makes a film disturbing. A disturbing film needs to have realistic situations and a captivating and engrossing plot. As soon as a movie has you hooked into the narriative, it can then do whatever it wants with you and you're under it's spell. Eden Lake does this perfectly.

Every moment of onscreen violence felt scarily authentic. The tension is gradually built so tight that when the violence finaly escalates, not only is it nasty and horrifying, it has you there with the characters.

The film's finale is one of the bleakest since The Mist (if you haven't seen it, watch the entire thing for that ending. A real gut-puncher and one of the best in modern cinema).

I get a kick out of seeing movies that shock or distress me. It's kind of similar to how some people enjoy roller coasters. It's like putting yourself through an intense situation and walking out like you've accomplished something.

Eden Lake was almost too much for me. I never expected it to get me like it did.

Other films that disturbed me like this:

- Harry Brown (another Chav-sploitation film, no where near as good and it's themes and narriative are a mess. Still has some grim moments though and worth the watch if you liked this)

- THEM (not the big ant film, the home invasion film. The themes are very similar to Eden Lake, but you have to watch it till the end to find out why).

- The Strangers (basically a US version of THEM. Suprisingly well acted though and some of the terror is brilliantly executed. Another wonderfully bleak ending as well. Not a great film, but really quite effective).

- Cannibal Holocaust (A Serbian Film may have made a big stir, but they don't call Cannibal Holocaust the daddy of demented cinema for nothing. It's title still remains).

BTW. I don't think A Serbian Film is bad. It's shockingly good. It's just that it's violence isn't meant to be taken seriously and is simply OTT for the sake of being OTT. Watch it with an open mind and enjoy the filmmaking and narriatives techniques. It's rather good.



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You said it! Exceptionally disturbing. Not 100% sure it beats Last House on the Left (remake), but it's close.

I just wasn't made for these times. (Brian Wilson)