Looking for something....

[dean]

Can't think of anything off the top of my head that truly gave me that disturbing feeling, but the only one I can think off the top of my head is Requiem for a dream, which is the only film that I can remember that I had little sympathy for the characters.

[hedgie]

Salo, and Possesion are both very disturbing, but even more so is Martyrs.  I saw this a month or two ago and i am still thinking about it, plus it fits your criteria to a T.

[316zombie]

another lars von trier movie that might fit the bill is dogtown,i was horrified when i realized that something like the story in it COULD really happen.

[Umaril The Unfeathered]

Well there's Witchfinder General and Straw Dogs that to me seem to fit what you're looking for...

You want bleak and unrelenting in their own way, perhaps not horror films but of note IMO are Targets and Requiem For A Dream.

Good call, mate!  Altho it was pretty disturbing, I admit that Susan George's topless scenes in Straw Dogs had me thinking more about her at times 

Targets is a great movie!  It's even made moreso by the fact that Boris Karloff showed a tremendous amount of physical fortitude at his age (late 80's) all thruout the film and it's final moments at the drive-in theatre.  Karloff makes this movie.

Requiem For A Dream-'nuff said.  If anyone still wants to try drugs after seeing this one, on them be it, and better them than me.  Plus, Jennifer Connelly nude!  Ha Ha 

[Couchtr26]

Plus, Jennifer Connelly nude!  Ha Ha 

Sold! 

[Couchtr26]

Salo, and Possesion are both very disturbing, but even more so is Martyrs.  I saw this a month or two ago and i am still thinking about it, plus it fits your criteria to a T.

I'm actually happy to hear.  I have been avoiding everything I can on Martyrs.  I had read a blurb but no descriptions other then it was very disturbing.  I have tried my best to avoid and I hope it will have a better affect, when I do get a chance to see it. 

Again thanks to all, appreciate the input. 

[theedinburghbteam]

@ Rev. Powell, I had heard about A Serbian Film.  It seems it would fit what I suggested.  However, I wonder on getting a copy.  Tried finding one but came up empty handed.  Sadly, living in Oklahoma City, film events are rare.  You can from time to time see foreign films at the museums.  However, considering local tastes I think this will be a hard one. 

It's not on DVD yet and actually it's possible it will never have a legitimate DVD release due to its content.  It would be illegal to own in some countries (not the US, but probably the UK).

I heard that it's gone through the BBFC in the UK with the most cuts to a movie for a long, long time (16 minutes apparently).

My friend saw this at Canne and he said it was boring and poorly made, with the horribly nasty scenes doing little more than breaking the tedium and leaving a bad taste. Seems to me like a film made purely to shock, with some subplot about the Serbian War thrown on the top to make the director out to be less of a creep.

[Couchtr26]

I know I started this one and haven't been back in awhile but suppose I should update.  Will be receiving Martyrs, Inside and Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer shortly.  Wanting Antichrist and Salo but couldn't swing it just yet.  Have a few others coming as well.  Some Spaghetti Western Collections from Mill Creek and Mill Creek Pure Terror 50 pack.  Trying to build the movie collection at the same time.  I think my lack of direct knowledge on Martyrs, Inside and Antichrist will result in the biggest surprise out of those mentioned.  Henry is more I want to see the unusual convention of almost a documentary following a serial killer.  There is a part of me that became fascinated with the subject around the time From Hell came out and I started reading deeper on the Ripper case.  Anyway, let me thank everyone again.  Will have to come back and get the rest of the suggestions at some point.   

[Nightowl]

Cannibal Holocaust & Cannibal Ferox. I couldn't wait to finish these two movies, definitely the most uncomfortable I have ever been watching a movie.

[JayJayM12]

I know I started this one and haven't been back in awhile but suppose I should update.  Will be receiving Martyrs, Inside and Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer shortly.  Wanting Antichrist and Salo but couldn't swing it just yet.  Have a few others coming as well.  Some Spaghetti Western Collections from Mill Creek and Mill Creek Pure Terror 50 pack.  Trying to build the movie collection at the same time.  I think my lack of direct knowledge on Martyrs, Inside and Antichrist will result in the biggest surprise out of those mentioned.  Henry is more I want to see the unusual convention of almost a documentary following a serial killer.  There is a part of me that became fascinated with the subject around the time From Hell came out and I started reading deeper on the Ripper case.  Anyway, let me thank everyone again.  Will have to come back and get the rest of the suggestions at some point.   

Don't know if you're a member or not, but Antichrist is currently streaming on Netflix.  I haven't seen it yet, so can't comment on it's quality, but it is available for instant streaming...

[Flick James]

I'm curious about Antichrist. I've also noticed that it's streaming on NetFlix but haven't gotten around to watching it. I just haven't been motivated lately to watch films that will depress me. I am interested in it, however. I understand that it contains unsimulated sex, but I don't know how graphic it gets in that regard. Does NetFlix show a version that is edited in any way? Not that I'm particularly interested in seeing unsimulated sex (I can always watch porn if I want that), I just prefer to see films as they were intended.

[Allhallowsday]

I know I started this one and haven't been back in awhile but suppose I should update.  Will be receiving Martyrs, Inside and Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer shortly.  Wanting Antichrist and Salo but couldn't swing it just yet.  Have a few others coming as well.  Some Spaghetti Western Collections from Mill Creek and Mill Creek Pure Terror 50 pack.  Trying to build the movie collection at the same time.  I think my lack of direct knowledge on Martyrs, Inside and Antichrist will result in the biggest surprise out of those mentioned.  Henry is more I want to see the unusual convention of almost a documentary following a serial killer.  There is a part of me that became fascinated with the subject around the time From Hell came out and I started reading deeper on the Ripper case.  Anyway, let me thank everyone again.  Will have to come back and get the rest of the suggestions at some point.   

HENRY PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER is shown regularly on IFC (which, now that it has commercials, I don't look at much).  That's a disturbing one and fits your criteria... perfectly.  Equally horrifying are I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE and LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (all recommended by our own RCMerchant.)

Have you seen SPOORLOOS (1990)? ("THE VANISHING" - but NOT that Kiefer Sutherland junk with Jeff Bridges which was a remake of this film). 

[Couchtr26]

HENRY PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER is shown regularly on IFC (which, now that it has commercials, I don't look at much).  That's a disturbing one and fits your criteria... perfectly.  Equally horrifying are I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE and LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (all recommended by our own RCMerchant.)

Have you seen SPOORLOOS (1990)? ("THE VANISHING" - but NOT that Kiefer Sutherland junk with Jeff Bridges which was a remake of this film). 

I actually have seen Spoorloos.  Though I heard the title The Vanishing.  Oddly saw it in a French class I took in high school.  I can't remember there was some relation.  I think it is Belgian and in French or a French director.  Trying to remember off the top of my head rather then check IMDB.  The ending is something that in the simplicity of it chills in many ways. 

Last House on the Left I have also seen but I don't recall much.  I rented it and fell asleep was wore out and didn't see the ending.  I remember some juxtaposition of elements with a up beat music and the death of the two girls.  It seemed almost surreal and was definitely uncomfortable.  However, I missed most of the scenes upon meeting the parents and was a bit worried as I have seen the ending for the remake before the original.  I hope the original ending is a bit more  mental.  The scenes play out more rending emotion and not so straight forward on the screen.  That is my hope at least. 

I appreciate I Spit on Your Grave being mentioned again.  There is something about it that I think ratchets things up quite a bit.  As compared to movies in a similar vein.  I have seen a bit more as far as publication information and mentions over Last House on the Left.  Though, oddly I was able to see Last House and yet to see I Spit on Your Grave. 

I sadly don't have IFC.  Fell on some hard times and had to cut back on my cable.  :(  Need to get that back up.  Extended basic is nice but I miss Starz and Encore. 

[Allhallowsday]

IFC with commercials: you ain't missin' so much, 'cept they don't censor language or content... maybe it makes sense since all of the film is there if you're willing to put up with them damned c'mmershills.  

I hate LAST HOUSE and often proclaim such on this forum and elsewhere.  It's not memorable exactly, you just reach a point of desensitization and drag your eyes around the screen for the rest of that horrid film.  It's very important, and is now unfortunately a must-see.  I get it.  I just don't like it.  I hate it, so maybe it's exactly what you're looking for.  There's also MAKE THEM DIE SLOWLY, I'd expect readily available, and vile.  

Oh!  SPOORLOOS is a Dutch and French co-production.  

Oh yeh, how 'bout THE HILLS HAVE EYES?  

What all of these films have in common is violation of the female character.  

Have you seen TWO WOMEN?  Have you seen LA DOLCE VITA?  Have you seen LADY IN A CAGE?

[Used Meathook]

Combat Shock
Men Behind the Sun
Martyrs

I haven't seen Combat Shock in what seems like ages, but from what I remember, it was pretty bleak. Also, there was recently (within the last couple years or so) an unrated 2-disc director's cut edition put out on DVD. I haven't picked it up yet, so I'm interested to see what's different than in the standard r-rated version.

Men Behind the Sun is pretty "disturbing", and not very nice in general.  It's a CATIII film if that says anything. But seriously, this film worthy of the infamous CATIII rating.

Martyrs is probably one of the best recent horror films I've seen. It's like part horror, part suspense, part "torture-porn" (as much as I loathe that phrase, it's kinda applicable here), and part mind-f**k. It's not a happy film, but it's exceptionally well made and the ending will have you questioning all types of things.