Top 10 Critically Acclaimed Movies That Are Not Safe For Work

This iconic film from director Tobe Hooper actually doesn’t possess much on-screen gore. That said, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” has more than lived up to its reputation as a horror classic via an atmosphere of oppressive dread, unease, and legitimate fright. Hooper’s film was initially rated X prior to editing that earned “Texas Chain Saw” an R label by the MPAA. Critics such as Rex Reed singled out this film for its “disturbing” content and palpably dangerous execution. “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” is one of those few pictures where the reported conditions on-set can be felt by the audience. It’s a hot, humid, and uncomfortable viewing experience that has scarred filmgoers for generations.

He wasn’t known as “Bloody Sam” for nothing. Director Sam Peckinpah turned cinematic violence into an art form with his ultra-stylized, slow-motion shots of bullet squibs, and slicing blades. “The Wild Bunch” was controversial then and now within the confines of the western genre, a film of flawed, realistic protagonists existing in a dying age. The story here centers just as much upon the relationships of its aging gunfighters as it does that time-honored tale of “one more job.” These men know that they likely won’t see retirement from a lifestyle that’s slowly becoming a thing of the past. It can only end with bullets, as Peckinpah sends this “wild bunch” shuffling off this mortal coil in hails of gunfire and fatalistic dialogue.

Adult content within a film doesn’t necessarily make it an “adult film,” per se. Yet, pictures such as “Blue Valentine” from 2010 remain controversial due to their inclusion of such scenes. This is despite critical acclaim given to the direction and screenplay. The film essentially documents the history of a marriage, including all of the frank sexuality entailed by that description. Yet, looking beyond the sequence of oral sex that initially saddled “Blue Valentine” with an NC-17 rating, we have a film that rightfully earned that critical praise. This was despite edits that eventually trimmed director Derek Cianfrance’s picture from that rating to an “acceptable” R.

The United Kingdom possesses a long and storied history of outstanding gangster films, including this one with quite the unwieldy title. “The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover” from 1989 possesses an artistic sensibility to its execution, one that’s juxtaposed against moments of shocking violence. This is essentially where the NSFW element comes into play because The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover” isn’t an easy film to watch. This is despite the presence of Dame Helen Mirren, who dazzles with a tour-de-force performance. Still, “The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover” remains a transgressive film, a rough watch that nevertheless rewards those willing to sink into its unapologetically rough world.

The NC-17 rating has become increasingly rare over the years, yet there’s probably no question that the very topic of 2011’s “Shame” necessitated such a response from the MPAA. Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan deliver bold, unflinching performances in “Shame” with the former unable to control his sexual urges. The nudity is definitely essential to the plot here, yet Fassbender’s character doesn’t receive a glamorized or glossed-over treatment. Instead, the sex here is explicit, but without control. It’s NSFW, to be sure, but also extremely well done for a film that is, without a doubt, meant for adults.

True crime obsession is nothing new, yet there is absolutely no glamourising present here within director John McNaughton’s “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.” This is a film that showcases the journey of two killers with a slow and methodical pace, inching ever-closely to that explosive moment of ugly violence. And, make no mistake: the violence is ugly here in this film. McNaughton utilized the real-life stories of Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole as inspirations for “Henry.” Michael Rooker is ice-cold in the lead role. Don’t let this film’s ‘80s production date fool you: there’s no fun to be had here with “Henry.” Only a critically acclaimed descent into urban death and hell.

It was the only X-rated film to take home Best Picture at the Academy Awards, but “Midnight Cowboy” wasn’t exactly what that rating entails today. This was an era prior to the establishment of NC-17, with “Midnight Cowboy” earning its X rating thanks to elements of frank sexuality. Granted, times have changed, yet director John Schlesinger’s tale of a wide-eyed innocent-turned-hustler in late ‘60s NYC remains compelling. Leads Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman possess a certifiable on-screen chemistry, while the latter’s portrayal of con artist Ratso Rizzo remains an iconic one for the actor. “Midnight Cowboy” is a snapshot of an era, but also one that should be consumed by any self-respecting cinephile seeking a balanced artistic diet.

Have you ever watched a movie that you thought was fantastic, while also being an experience you never again want repeated? This is how many moviegoers felt after leaving theater screenings of director Darren Aronofsky’s “Requiem For a Dream.” This critically acclaimed tale of drug addiction was both realistic and relentlessly depressing. It also boasted a cast that arrived armed to the teeth with talent. Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher McDonald, and particularly Marlon Wayans all deliver performances of a lifetime, yet this distinctly unglamorous movie of misery remains a challenging watch.

The horror genre is beloved by fans all over the world. Yet, the sad truth is that many examples of horror cinema come and go without leaving a lasting mark upon the world of cinema. “The Evil Dead,” thankfully, is NOT one of those films, starting a franchise that’s still going strong. It’s important to remember just how hard “The Evil Dead” went back in 1981, delivering practical effects that pushed the envelope in terms of onscreen gore. The humor that would eventually go on to partially define the franchise is absent here. We’re actually thankful for that fact. What we have instead is a horror film that went for broke and achieved success on its own terms.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Ground Zero for Found Footage Grimness

Gaspar Noé’s Unflinching Revenge Tale

A Controversial LGBTQIA+ Love Story

Abel Ferrara’s Transgressive Masterpiece

Director Stanley Kubrick was no stranger to critical acclaim, from efforts such as “The Shining” and “Eyes Wide Shut,” to the transgressive violence of “A Clockwork Orange.” This effort from 1971 remains difficult viewing today. This is despite the flowers laid at the feet of Kubrick’s direction, the film’s production design, and the performance of lead Malcolm McDowell. The latter’s Alex DeLarge serves as our protagonist, but he’s anything but likable. Instead, we follow DeLarge’s circular journey from psychopath to test patient and back again: a deliverer of “ultra-violence” with no hope of being “cured.”

Does a film’s reputation for explicit content make you more or less likely to check it out? Let us know in the comments!