15 Movies That Went the "Unsettling" Route for No Reason
In the landscape of cinema, filmmakers often strive to push boundaries, exploring darker, stranger, and more unsettling themes to provoke thought and elicit strong emotional responses from audiences. When executed with precision and narrative purpose, these ventures into the disquieting can elevate a film into a bold, memorable, and critically acclaimed work. However, not all attempts to inject unsettling elements into a narrative land successfully. Sometimes, a sudden stylistic shift, peculiar narrative choices, or moments that feel jarringly out of place can detract from the overall experience, leaving viewers questioning the artistic intent. This analysis delves into a selection of films that veered into unsettling territory, examining instances where this tonal departure may have been gratuitous, lacking a clear narrative justification or failing to resonate effectively with the intended audience.
The exploration of unsettling themes in film is a complex endeavor. It requires a delicate balance between creating atmosphere, developing character, and advancing a plot. When this balance is disrupted, the intended psychological impact can devolve into mere confusion or alienation. The films highlighted in this examination represent a spectrum of approaches to unsettling content, from subtle atmospheric creepiness to overtly disturbing imagery and narrative choices. Understanding why these particular films ventured down this path, and whether that path ultimately served their cinematic goals, offers insight into the challenges and rewards of experimental filmmaking.
The Counselor (2013): A Bleak Turn in Crime Fiction
Ridley Scott’s The Counselor, penned by Cormac McCarthy, aimed to be a gritty crime thriller but instead charted a course into profound bleakness that, for many, felt disconnected from its characters and narrative foundations. The film, which stars Michael Fassbender as a lawyer entangled in a dangerous drug deal, garnered attention for its star-studded cast and its author’s reputation. However, the screenplay’s philosophical musings and fatalistic outlook, while characteristic of McCarthy’s literary style, often felt superimposed onto a plot that struggled to maintain momentum. The dialogue, frequently esoteric and delivered with a chilling detachment by characters, contributed to an atmosphere of pervasive dread. Critics and audiences alike noted that while the film was undeniably unsettling, this unsettling quality often stemmed from a sense of narrative incoherence and character emotional distance, rather than a well-earned sense of dread or suspense. The film’s exploration of morality and the consequences of choices, while intended to be profound, was frequently overshadowed by its overtly grim and, at times, gratuitous depiction of violence and nihilism. The inherent promise of a taut crime drama was, for many, lost in its deliberate descent into a philosophical abyss that felt more like an intellectual exercise than an engaging cinematic experience.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017): Alienating Discomfort
Yorgos Lanthimos’s The Killing of a Sacred Deer is a prime example of a film that deliberately cultivates an atmosphere of discomfort through its distinctive aesthetic and narrative. The story, which involves a cardiac surgeon (Colin Farrell) and a mysterious teenager (Barry Keoghan) whose relationship takes a sinister turn, is characterized by its stilted, unnatural dialogue and a pervasive sense of emotional sterility. Lanthimos employs a deliberate, almost theatrical, flatness in his characters’ delivery, which, while creating a unique and undeniably unsettling mood, also served to alienate a segment of the audience. The film’s premise, rooted in ancient Greek tragedy, sets up a scenario ripe for psychological tension. However, the execution, with its stylized performances and an almost clinical detachment from the emotional turmoil of its characters, led to a viewing experience that, for some, felt more like an intellectual experiment in discomfort than an emotionally resonant or suspenseful narrative. The film’s success lies in its ability to provoke, but the question remains whether its chosen method of alienation was the most effective way to achieve its thematic goals, or if it simply pushed viewers away.
The Lovely Bones (2009): Surrealism Over Substance
Peter Jackson’s adaptation of Alice Sebold’s novel, The Lovely Bones, grappled with the profound tragedy of a young girl’s murder and her spirit’s journey from an afterlife observer. The film’s central premise is inherently emotional, dealing with themes of loss, grief, and the enduring impact of love. However, the visual and narrative choices made during its transition to the screen often introduced surreal and unsettling elements that, for many, detracted from the grounded tragedy at its core. The depiction of Susie Salmon’s (Saoirse Ronan) afterlife, while visually imaginative, frequently veered into a dreamlike, almost fantastical realm. This stylistic departure, intended perhaps to convey the unique perspective of a spirit, often felt disconnected from the raw, human pain experienced by her family. The jarring juxtaposition of the ethereal afterlife with the stark reality of earthly grief created a tonal imbalance that left audiences questioning the film’s intended emotional impact. While visually striking, these surreal interludes sometimes overshadowed the genuine emotional weight of the story, turning moments that should have been deeply moving into scenes that felt more disorienting than profound.
The Neon Demon (2016): Style Over Narrative Cohesion
Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon plunges into the cutthroat world of the Los Angeles fashion industry, presenting a visually arresting and stylistically bold exploration of beauty, envy, and obsession. The film is undeniably a feast for the eyes, characterized by its saturated colors, striking cinematography, and a pervasive sense of unease. Refn crafts a narrative that is steeped in an unsettling atmosphere, employing graphic and often shocking imagery to convey the darker undercurrents of the modeling world. However, the film’s relentless focus on its own aesthetic and its descent into increasingly bizarre and disturbing territory often came at the expense of narrative coherence and character development. While the unsettling nature of the film is a deliberate choice, its intensity and frequency, coupled with a somewhat underdeveloped plot, can leave viewers feeling overwhelmed by the imagery rather than deeply engaged by the story. The film’s thematic exploration of societal pressures and the destructive pursuit of idealized beauty, while present, is frequently buried beneath a deluge of unsettling visuals that, for some, felt more like a stylistic indulgence than an integral part of the storytelling.
The Turning (2020): A Gothic Setup with a Confusing Payoff
Based on Henry James’s novella "The Turn of the Screw," Floria Sigismondi’s The Turning attempts to translate the classic ghost story into a modern gothic horror film. The movie builds considerable atmosphere, leveraging its isolated estate setting and a sense of creeping dread to establish a palpable sense of unease. The early stages of the film effectively hint at supernatural occurrences and psychological distress, creating an environment ripe for a chilling payoff. However, the narrative ultimately shifts into a direction that, for many viewers, felt confusing and disjointed. The unsettling elements, which had been carefully cultivated, culminated in an ending that left a significant portion of the audience feeling more frustrated than fulfilled. The film’s ambition to reimagine the source material through a more contemporary and unsettling lens resulted in a narrative that, while attempting to be surprising, ultimately felt underdeveloped and failed to provide a satisfying resolution to the mysteries it had so effectively established. The transition from gothic suspense to its eventual conclusion left a void where a strong thematic resonance should have been.
Under the Skin (2013): Haunting Detachment
Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin, starring Scarlett Johansson as an extraterrestrial predator who preys on lonely men in Scotland, is a film that masterfully crafts a haunting and profoundly unsettling atmosphere through its minimalist approach. With sparse dialogue and a reliance on stark, often abstract, visual sequences, the film immerses the viewer in an experience of profound alienation. Johansson’s character, an enigmatic alien in human form, navigates the world with a detached curiosity that is both fascinating and deeply unnerving. The film’s unsettling nature stems from this extreme detachment, creating a sense of otherworldliness that is palpable. However, this very detachment, while artistically bold, can also make the film feel less emotionally accessible. For some viewers, the lack of clear narrative exposition and the extreme focus on mood and atmosphere can result in an experience that is unsettling without offering a readily discernible emotional or thematic payoff, leaving a lingering sense of unease that doesn’t quite coalesce into a deeper understanding.
Vivarium (2019): Repetitive Unease
Lorcan Finnegan’s Vivarium presents a compelling and deeply unsettling premise: a young couple, Gemma (Imogen Poots) and Tom (Jesse Eisenberg), become trapped in a surreal, suburban housing development where every house is identical and escape seems impossible. The film effectively leverages its bizarre setting to create a growing sense of dread and claustrophobia. The repetitive nature of their imprisonment, with each day mirroring the last and the appearance of a mysterious, rapidly growing child, amplifies the unsettling nature of their predicament. However, as the film progresses, this relentless repetition, while intended to convey the crushing monotony and psychological toll of their situation, can also make the viewing experience feel more draining than meaningful. The strong conceptual foundation of Vivarium is undeniable, but its extended exploration of the couple’s inescapable, unsettling reality can lead to a sense of narrative stagnation, where the initial shock value gives way to a feeling of being trapped alongside the characters, without a clear thematic resolution or emotional arc to justify the prolonged unease.
Wuthering Heights (2011): Bleakness Over Emotional Resonance
Andrea Arnold’s 2011 adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel, Wuthering Heights, took a decidedly unconventional approach to the material. Eschewing the traditional romantic sensibilities often associated with the story, Arnold leaned heavily into a raw, bleak, and visceral atmosphere. The film is characterized by its harsh cinematography, its emphasis on the untamed natural landscape of the Yorkshire moors, and a deliberate stripping away of much of the novel’s literary flourishes. While this approach aimed to capture a more primal and untamed essence of the story, it resulted in a tone that felt overwhelmingly alienating for many viewers. The intense focus on the bleakness and brutality of the characters’ lives, while certainly unsettling, often overshadowed the complex emotional dynamics and the passionate, albeit destructive, love story at the heart of Wuthering Heights. The film’s commitment to its stark vision, while artistically daring, ultimately left many feeling that the emotional core of the narrative had been sacrificed in favor of an oppressive and, at times, impenetrable atmosphere.
Don’t Worry Darling (2022): Underdeveloped Darkness
Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut, Don’t Worry Darling, presented a glossy, mid-century suburban facade that hinted at darker secrets beneath the surface. The film generated significant buzz for its stylish aesthetic and its intriguing premise, which centered on a seemingly idyllic community where the men work on a mysterious "Victory Project" and the women are expected to maintain domestic perfection. The initial setup effectively builds a sense of unease, with subtle cracks appearing in the seemingly perfect veneer. As the narrative progresses, the film shifts towards a more overtly dark and unsettling direction, revealing the disturbing truth behind the community’s existence. However, the execution of this shift felt underdeveloped for many, leaving its unsettling elements without sufficient grounding or narrative justification. While the film aimed to deliver a shocking and thought-provoking commentary on control and societal expectations, the underdeveloped nature of its darker turn left audiences questioning the overall impact and coherence of its unsettling revelations.
High-Rise (2015): Escalating Chaos
Ben Wheatley’s High-Rise, an adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s novel, depicts a futuristic, self-contained residential tower that devolves into violent chaos. The film begins with an intriguing premise, exploring the social stratification and simmering tensions within the building. As the narrative progresses, however, it spirals into increasingly chaotic and disturbing imagery. While the descent into anarchy is a core element of the story, the film’s portrayal of this breakdown often feels excessive. The graphic and unsettling scenes, while intended to reflect the collapse of civilization, can sometimes overshadow the underlying thematic exploration of societal decay. The film’s commitment to depicting the visceral and disturbing aspects of the high-rise’s collapse can feel overwhelming, leading to a viewing experience where the sheer intensity of the disturbing imagery eclipses the narrative’s more nuanced observations about human nature and social order.
Men (2022): Bizarre Escalation
Alex Garland’s Men begins as a tense psychological horror, following a young woman who retreats to the English countryside after a personal tragedy. The film masterfully establishes a palpable sense of unease, with the surrounding landscape and the interactions with the local inhabitants fostering a growing feeling of dread. However, as the narrative unfolds, Men escalates into increasingly bizarre and surreal territory. The film’s thematic exploration of patriarchal anxieties and the multifaceted nature of male aggression takes a decidedly abstract turn. While this deliberate escalation into the bizarre is a hallmark of Garland’s work, it proved to be a point of contention for many viewers. The film’s descent into surrealism, while undeniably unsettling, often felt more confusing than meaningful, leaving a segment of the audience questioning the coherence and ultimate impact of its unsettling imagery and narrative direction.
mother! (2017): Overwhelming Symbolism
Darren Aronofsky’s mother! is an allegorical film that uses a domestic setting to explore themes of creation, exploitation, and faith. The film starts with a slow build, establishing a seemingly peaceful domestic life that is gradually disrupted by uninvited guests. As the narrative progresses, the situation devolves into chaotic and overwhelming symbolism, with the house becoming a stage for increasingly disturbing events. The film’s allegorical nature is evident, with nearly every element serving a symbolic purpose. However, the relentless intensity of this symbolism, and its depiction of overwhelming chaos, risks alienating the audience. The sheer density of the allegorical layers and the visceral, often disturbing, portrayal of destruction can become so all-consuming that it becomes difficult for viewers to connect with the core emotional narrative or appreciate the intended message, leading to an experience that is unsettling to the point of being overwhelming.
Poor Things (2023): Excessive Uncanniness
Yorgos Lanthimos’s Poor Things is a visually inventive and bold film that tells the story of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by a mad scientist. The film is characterized by its fantastical steampunk aesthetic and its fearless exploration of sexuality, autonomy, and societal norms. Lanthimos employs a signature style that is both whimsical and unsettling, pushing the boundaries of taste and convention. While the film’s creativity and its unflinching portrayal of Bella’s journey are commendable, its constant push into the bizarre and uncomfortable can, at times, feel excessive. The film’s relentless embrace of the uncanny and the grotesque, while integral to its artistic vision, can overshadow the emotional core of Bella’s story. For some viewers, the sheer volume of strange and provocative imagery, while artistically ambitious, risks becoming a barrier to deeper emotional engagement, making the experience feel more like a parade of unsettling spectacles than a cohesive character study.
Saltburn (2023): Provocative Over Narrative Depth
Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn initially presents itself as a sharp social drama, delving into themes of class, desire, and obsession within the context of an aristocratic English estate. The film draws viewers in with its stylish visuals, compelling performances, and a palpable sense of simmering tension. However, as the narrative progresses, Saltburn gradually transforms into something far more disturbing. The film is punctuated by shocking moments and gratuitous scenes that seem designed more to provoke a visceral reaction than to deepen the narrative or explore the characters’ psychological complexities. While the film’s intention to shock and comment on the excesses of the wealthy is clear, the reliance on overtly disturbing imagery can feel like a shortcut to creating impact. The unsettling nature of these moments, rather than serving to enhance the story, can sometimes feel gratuitous, leaving the audience questioning whether the narrative’s progression was truly served by its more extreme and unsettling choices.
Suspiria (2018): Heavy Reinterpretation
Luca Guadagnino’s 2018 reimagining of Dario Argento’s cult classic Suspiria is a film that is both stylish and ambitious, aiming to offer a darker and more intense interpretation of the original’s supernatural tale of a dance academy harboring a coven of witches. The film is visually striking, with a brooding atmosphere and a commitment to exploring the psychological and physical horrors faced by its protagonist, Susie Bannion (Dakota Johnson). However, while Guadagnino’s vision is distinct and undeniably ambitious, its darker and more intense reinterpretation can feel unnecessarily heavy. The film’s deliberate pacing and its unflinching portrayal of violence and ritualistic horror, while contributing to its unsettling tone, can sometimes weigh down the narrative. Compared to the core story of a young dancer discovering dark secrets, the film’s heightened sense of dread and its graphic elements, while artistically valid, can feel like an excess that, for some, detracts from the core narrative’s impact, making the experience feel more oppressive than truly resonant.
In conclusion, the pursuit of unsettling themes in cinema is a double-edged sword. When wielded with narrative precision and thematic clarity, it can lead to profoundly impactful and thought-provoking films. However, as this selection of movies demonstrates, an overreliance on shock value, gratuitous discomfort, or stylistic choices that lack narrative justification can result in experiences that alienate audiences and dilute the film’s potential to resonate. The effectiveness of an unsettling tone hinges on its ability to serve the story and characters, rather than simply existing for its own sake. The ongoing evolution of cinematic storytelling will undoubtedly continue to see filmmakers experiment with the boundaries of audience comfort, and the success of these endeavors will always be measured by their ability to provoke meaningful engagement, not just fleeting unease.
