These 8 Movies Are 10/10, but I Won't Recommend Them to Anyone (They're Traumatizing)

We tend to include in our list of favorites those movies that we have watched several times. However, there are films that are considered masterpieces, yet we have no desire to watch them again.

Here are precisely such works – undoubtedly outstanding, but too cruel or heartbreaking to experience them again.

1. 'Come and See', 1985

IMDb Score: 8.3/10

Many movies have attempted to depict the horrors of World War II, but none have done so as effectively as Elem Klimov's war drama.

The story of Flyora, a Belarusian boy who experiences the horrors of war firsthand, including the deaths of his loved ones and the banality of human cruelty, hits viewers hard and mercilessly.

Come and See can only be watched through pain and tears, as it was intended – otherwise, Klimov would not have been able to convey the simple idea of the inhumanity of war.

2. 'The House that Jack Built', 2018

IMDb Score: 6.8/10

Even those familiar with Lars von Trier's work were surprised by his latest movie, The House that Jack Built.

At the Cannes Film Festival, where the film premiered, it caused an unprecedented wave of indignation from viewers and critics due to its excessively naturalistic violence.

The movie tells the story of a ruthless serial killer named Jack who presents his brutal crimes as works of art.

3. 'Deliverance', 1972

IMDb Score: 7.6/10

Four men go on a whitewater rafting trip in the wild Appalachian Mountains. They planned to have a relaxing vacation, but became the target of sadistic locals.

John Boorman's Deliverance is a thriller classic that has been undeservedly forgotten. The film received three Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and features a stellar cast: Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight, and Ned Beatty.

Deliverance is difficult to watch because of the cruelty inflicted on the main characters. In his book Cinema Speculation, Quentin Tarantino said that he watched the film as a child and was afraid to hike in the woods for a long time afterward.

4. 'Dead Man's Shoes', 2004

IMDb Score: 7.5/10

Shane Meadows' Dead Man's Shoes is a British gem that combines elements of drama, horror, thriller, and even black comedy.

The story of two brothers – one who joins the army and leaves the other in a world of violence, only to return for revenge – reveals the underbelly of provincial England better than any other film. Paddy Considine's performance as the lead deserves the highest praise.

However, once you see the finale, you'll be put off from diving into this unpleasant, bloody world again.

5. 'Grave of the Fireflies', 1988

IMDb Score: 8.5/10

Japanese animated movies are often associated with the colorful works of Studio Ghibli. However, Grave of the Fireflies, directed by Isao Takahata, is similar to these works only in style.

The poignancy of the story about children trying to survive in a war-torn city stems from the fact that Grave of the Fireflies is based on a biographical novel in which the author recounts what happened to his own family.

It is so heart-wrenching that you won't dare wish to revisit this movie, because war rarely looks uglier, scarier, or crueler on screen.

6. 'We Need to Talk About Kevin', 2011

IMDb Score: 7.4/10

Eva puts aside all ambitions and devotes her life to giving birth to and raising her son. However, their relationship was extremely complicated from the beginning.

At fifteen, Kevin commits an irreparable act, and Eva is tormented by her sense of responsibility and guilt. Did she love her son enough?

Audiences have given We Need to Talk About Kevin a standing ovation at numerous festival screenings. However, it is too hard to watch the torments caused by Kevin's terrible act, brilliantly portrayed by Tilda Swinton, to revisit it ever again.

7. 'Antichrist', 2009

IMDb Score: 6.5/10

After tragically losing their child, a husband and wife move to a secluded house in the woods, hoping to mend their relationship. However, the opposite happens – the couple quickly loses its grip on reality.

Lars von Trier's drama is difficult to watch, even for the first time. It's not just the brutal scenes of physical violence, it's the incessant psychological pressure.

It's worth descending into Trier's eerie world once, but there's no desire to watch it again.

8. 'Requiem for a Dream', 2000

IMDb Score: 8.3/10

After experimenting with cinematic conventions in Pi, Darren Aronofsky defied all boundaries in Requiem for a Dream – the number of edits is three times the average, and the camera angles are dizzying.

However, it is not Aronofsky's technique that causes a reluctance to rewatch one of his best films. It is painful to witness the downfall and destruction of the characters.

Requiem for a Dream begins with the promise of a beautiful fairy tale – we can all achieve our dreams with a little effort. But it ends with terrible images of madness.