5 Horror Movies So Terrifying Even I Can’t Watch Them

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I’ve seen so many horror movies, it’s ridiculous.

As we compiled our list of the top 50 horror films ever made, I found myself mentally noting the ones I hadn’t seen yet, and it turned out there were just two left on the list – “Hush” and “Gerald’s Game”, which I still haven’t managed to watch for some unexplained reason.

Though horror is my preferred movie genre, there are several horror flicks that I find too terrifying to watch myself. This is because what scares us individually can vary greatly. For instance, I can easily endure slasher films without a second thought, but these next five movies have plotlines so unsettling to me that I lack the bravery to watch them. So, please don’t chuckle!

Smile (2022)

I’ve watched my fair share of films that have left me tossing and turning at night. But let me tell you, I can count on one hand the number of commercials that have ever given me the heebie-jeebies – and that’s only because I saw a promo for the horror flick, “Smile”. Now, I’m not particularly fond of unsettling imagery, especially that pendulum head scene. It’s safe to say, if I had seen the movie itself, it would have kept me up long past my bedtime.

My thoughts can be traced back to my younger years, when I first saw the movie “Twilight Zone” that interestingly presented a character who was incapable of smiling due to lacking a mouth.

In “Twilight Zone: The Movie”, the part that gave me chills was based on one of the show’s top episodes, titled “It’s a Good Life”. Now, the episode itself is undeniably unsettling for half an hour. However, it was the scene without speech from the movie that left a lasting impact on me as a child and still haunts my memories.

Since that point forward, I find it difficult to gaze upon a face with the slightest imperfection, not to mention enduring an entire FILM centered around such a theme.

I find myself in a predicament, as I’ve heard fantastic reviews about the movie “Smile” (and even more praise for its sequel). Many consider it one of the top horror franchises around today. As a fan of horror series, let me assure you that my inability to summon the courage to watch “Smile” is truly disheartening. However, I’ve made a New Year’s resolution for 2025 – to get more sleep. Unfortunately, this means I can hardly go a week without sleeping at night. Consequently, it seems unlikely that I’ll ever get to enjoy what I like to call “Unsettling Faces: The Movie.” Shivering just thinking about it…

Goodnight Mommy (2014)

The only occasion I’ve ever sworn out loud in a cinema was when I first watched the trailer for Goodnight Mommy. Without a doubt, I exclaimed something similar to, “This is terrible!” and shielded my eyes.

Let me tell you, I wasn’t joking around. I, the fellow who’s seen every flick from the Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Friday the 13th series, was actually hiding my eyes like a timid kid in the cinema. Naturally, my pals had a good laugh at my expense.

However, I couldn’t care less! The movie “Goodnight Mommy,” where it appears that two brothers are suspicious of their mother’s identity (since I’ve never seen it), seems to be another film in the genre of “I can’t bring myself to watch,” much like “Smile.

Initially, the “everlasting smile” aspect of the movie leaves me hesitant. However, what truly unsettles me is the central theme of mistaken identity, particularly when it comes to young children doubting if the woman in their home is indeed their mother. This plotline gives me chills.

Since I found the trailer for the film quite unsettling, I’ve decided to investigate further by reading some YouTube comments. Many viewers mentioned that the movie is more “tension-filled” than frightening. Although I won’t be watching it, I might consider the 2022 remake starring Naomi Watts as it might not be as scary. Incidentally, there’s also a remake with Naomi Watts that I’d like to mention…

Funny Games (2007)

Have you ever seen the films known as “The Purge”? Generally speaking, I enjoy them, with some exceptions. However, I frequently find myself contemplating the initial movie, which is essentially about a home invasion, and considering it to be the most impactful of the series.

Indeed, the idea of strangers attempting to harm me at my home is not a mere hypothetical; it’s something I treat with utmost seriousness.

It appears that the movie “Funny Games” where two individuals hold a family captive, forcing them to play sadistic games in order to survive, doesn’t seem like an enjoyable choice for a viewing experience, especially during a weekend afternoon – and honestly, I wouldn’t want to watch it at any time.

The 2007 film is essentially a frame-by-frame replica of the 1997 production, and in case you didn’t know, they were both masterminded by Michael Haneke. Despite the categorization of these films as “satirical psychological thrillers,” I personally find the premise far from amusing.

What I find is that a more authentic kind of horror tends to unsettle me. For instance, I’ve watched “The Strangers,” which shares a similar concept, yet it failed to frighten me. Perhaps it was due to the recognizable horror movie masks they wore. On the other hand, ordinary individuals who appear completely normal but have a hidden intention to torment me until I plead for my life…that’s what truly sends shivers down my spine.

So, I’ve never seen the remake or the original, and I likely never will.

The Human Centipede (First Sequence) (2009)

As a film enthusiast, I have my fair share of pet peeves when it comes to movies – bizarre facial expressions, mixed-up identities, and home intrusions can send shivers down my spine. However, there’s one thing that truly terrifies me in reality: centipedes. The mere sight of these creepy crawlies makes my skin crawl, and I just can’t stand them!

In one of my articles on this site, I’ve shared that my fear of centipedes is rooted in a traumatic event from my past. When I was younger, my sister and I used to sleep together, and I woke up one morning to discover a centipede in her mouth while she was asleep! Given this terrifying experience, it’s not surprising that spiders don’t frighten me as much, but centipedes still give me the creeps.

To be frank, the term “centipede” doesn’t sit well with me. While it generally refers to a creature with many legs, merely seeing or hearing the word sends shivers down my spine. The concept of people being sewn together from their rear end to their mouth, crawling on all fours, is simply too unsettling for my comfort level.

To clarify, I’m not disturbed by films that involve body horror; on the contrary, David Cronenburg, the master of this unique genre, is among my most admired directors.

To clarify, I’m aware that there are still two more films in this series, and as each movie progresses, the “human centipede” – a disturbing concept – continues to expand in size. Frankly, it’s a development I find hard to stomach.

A Tale Of Two Sisters (2003)

To wrap things up, I must confess that I’ve essentially peeked at the movie “A Tale of Two Sisters” in a roundabout way.

Initially, I began watching the film, but a particularly frightening scene had me asking my companion if we could pause it, as I was genuinely frightened. My friend, feeling the same way, agreed, saying “I’m scared, too.

By the way, we caught that film during the day in his lounge room. To this point, A Tale of Two Sisters remains the sole movie I’ve ever initiated but couldn’t finish watching. Even after re-watching that particular scene, I find it hard to continue viewing the rest of the film.

Based on my observation, the narrative unfolds around two sisters, one having just departed from a psychiatric facility, as they settle into their fresh residence. However, their tranquility is disrupted by a potential stepmother whose sanity seems questionable.

As a movie critic, I must confess that Asian horror films, particularly those from South Korea like “The Wailing,” have an uncanny ability to send chills down my spine. But when a film leaves me too terrified to press play for another second? That’s a rare occurrence, one that only the hauntingly terrifying “A Tale of Two Sisters” has ever managed to achieve.

But, how about you? Has there ever been a scary movie that you’ve never finished?

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2025-02-03 00:08