10 Recent Horror Movies So Disturbing You’ll Never Watch Them Again

Horror movies are what hold us hostage in fear, racing our heartbeats and leaving us sleepless. But some horror movies are so entertaining that we'll want to see them again, while others can be so terrible, scary, or emotionally stressful that once would be more than enough. Chances are you have had this experience as a real horror aficionado: watching a movie is such that after you watch it, you may swear you'll never see it again.

Here are 10 incredible recent horror movies that are so chilling, unsettling, or downright horrifying that you’ll never want to watch them again.

1. Hereditary (2018)

Ari Aster’s "Hereditary" is often considered one of the most disturbing horror films of recent years. The film follows a grieving family dealing with dark secrets and supernatural horrors. The disturbing imagery, eerie atmosphere, and shocking plot twists make this an unforgettable but deeply unsettling experience. Toni Collette’s powerhouse performance adds to the emotional weight, making it a film that's brilliant but too heavy to watch twice.

2. Midsommar (2019)

Another unsettling masterpiece from Ari Aster, "Midsommar" is a folk horror film set in Sweden. What starts as a seemingly peaceful festival turns into a nightmarish descent into cult rituals, psychological terror, and grotesque imagery. The bright, sunlit horror and emotionally devastating moments make this a must-watch—once. The slow-burn horror and distressing themes make it a film too harrowing for repeat viewing.

3. The Night House (2021)

Directed by David Bruckner, "The Night House" is an intellectual psychological horror where a grieving widow discovers eerie secrets about her late husband. The film's mind-bending horror, the unsettling atmosphere, and existential dread make it deeply effective yet exhausting experience. Tension and creeping terror keep building up to an overwhelming climax, which would leave viewers drained and unlikely to revisit.

4. Saint Maud (2019)

This psychological horror movie, courtesy of A24, displays an overzealous nurse in the form of Maud. The film is distressing psychologically as well as spiritually, as it leaves an impact with its final haunting scene more than its run of credits. It is made a classic too disturbing to view twice because of that slow and unnerving build-up with the gut-wrenching finale.

5. Speak No Evil (2022)

This is a Danish psychological horror film, an exercise in pure tension and dread. "Speak No Evil" tells the story of a Danish family who visits another family they met on vacation, only for things to take a sinister turn. The film's nerve-wracking slow burn builds to one of the most brutal and distressing climaxes in recent horror history. It's a brilliant but painful experience that most viewers will struggle to watch again.

6. Skinamarink (2022)

Kyle Edward Ball's "Skinamarink" is a surreal nightmare that is not for everyone. The slow pace, grainy visuals, and almost dialogue-free storytelling of the film create an atmosphere of pure dread. It captures the feeling of childhood fears and isolation in a way that is deeply unsettling. While some may appreciate its experimental approach, the suffocating horror and uneasy silence make it a one-time-only experience for most.

7. The Lodge (2019)

Directed by Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz, "The Lodge" is a psychological horror film that follows a woman trapped in a snowbound cabin with her fiancé’s children. As paranoia and supernatural elements creep in, the film spirals into an unsettling psychological nightmare. The oppressive atmosphere, bleak themes, and disturbing moments make it an outstanding yet emotionally exhausting film that few will want to revisit.

8. The Sadness (2021)

This Taiwanese horror film is one of the most brutal and disturbing zombie movies ever made. "The Sadness" takes the concept of a virus outbreak and pushes it to the extreme, with horrifying acts of violence and depravity. The relentless brutality makes it a tough watch, even for hardcore horror fans. It’s an expertly crafted film, but its sheer intensity ensures that once is enough.

9. Men (2022)

Alex Garland’s "Men" is a folk horror film that blends surrealism, body horror, and psychological terror. The film follows a woman retreating to the countryside after a traumatic event, only to encounter increasingly bizarre and disturbing events. The nightmarish climax is one of the most unsettling sequences in recent horror. While thought-provoking and visually stunning, its deeply disturbing themes make it a tough film to revisit.

10. Mother! (2017)

Darren Aronofsky’s "Mother!" is a psychological horror film that left audiences shocked and disturbed. Starring Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem, the film uses religious and environmental allegories to craft an increasingly chaotic and nightmarish experience. The relentless tension, extreme symbolism, and disturbing imagery make it a divisive yet unforgettable film—one that few will dare to watch twice.

Conclusion

Horror movies are made to scare and disturb, but some of them go beyond just the scaring to create an experience that is really horrific. The following films are brilliant examples of horror storytelling, but disturbing in nature; they are difficult to watch more than once. Whether it is the gut-wrenching emotional weight, gruesome violence, or surreal, nightmare-inducing atmosphere, these films leave a mark-one viewing is enough.

Have you seen any of these films? Would you dare to watch them again? Let us know in the comments!