MovieChat Forums > Antichrist (2009) Discussion > How disturbing is this film?

How disturbing is this film?

posted 12 years ago by pretentiousillitoret
44 replies | jump to latest

I've seen two LVT films in my life... Melancholia (literally 2 hours ago - loved it) and Dancer in the Dark (really liked it) and have always dismissed Antichrist for some reason. I just always assumed it wasn't worth watching, but I can see that some people think it is absolutely fantastic so perhaps it is well worth watching. However, I must admit I'm not great with eerie, disturbing films. I'm fine with gore and the Texas Chainsaw Massacre type films but when it comes to chilling, disturbing films, I struggle.

I don't want to know if you think it's good or bad, because I know I will receive a wide array of differing opinions, I just want to know - how freaky and disturbing it is, especially for one who doesn't deal with such films well.

[–] stephenguti 11 years ago

This is my first Lars Von Trier film and I got to say I have mixed feelings about it. I'm still in between trying to figure out if I liked it or not. I did enjoy the film though and it did freak me out a bit. Definitely well made. I was a bit afraid of watching it also because of the title and of what I heard it involved. But a friend of mine who wrote a script she wants me to direct told me this was one of the influences in the film and that I need to watch it to get the tone she wants. But honestly, the graphic mutilation of the animals didn't disturb me. But the clitoral mutilation that She did to herself at the end of the film did definitely make me feel uncomfortable. I had to turn away and I'm not one to turn away easily. But overall, it is a good film and definitely worth a watch.

After 5 Years of Chuck, I have learned that at the end the nerd will ALWAYS get the girl. Chuck me.

[–] croat-hr 11 years ago

If you haven't wath it yet (which I think you did by now), you definately should!

It's the best movie by Von trier

[–] chilone 11 years ago

How can any GROWN, RATIONAL, SENSIBLE ADULT be "afraid" to watch a movie?!?! It's not like it could actually hurt you like the monsters under your bed can.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

[–] croat-hr 11 years ago

Sure a movie can be to scary to watch if you're a sensitive person. I know lots of guys (but mostly girls) who are affraid to watch scary horror movies.

I, however am affraid to watch another vampire love drama sequel (i dont know the title) which my wife bothers me to watch with her all the time, but that's for totaly different reasons...

[–] pretentiousillitoret 11 years ago

"Afraid" probably wasn't the right term but, indeed, if I can choose between being disturbed by or enjoying a film then I'd certainly go with the latter.

I'm giving the film a go now.

[–] anniepeachie 11 years ago

So what did you think? It took me a couple years to finally watch it too. I got up the nerve last Halloween and enjoyed it and was so proud of myself for getting through it (albeit with a pillow next to my face). Then I learned I watched a censored version on TV and was so disappointed. Now I'm trying to get up the nerve to watch it again for real.

[–] pretentiousillitoret 11 years ago

I found it pretty hard to get through. Very disturbing. Harrowing. Dark. Eerie.

I know a lot of people seem to think the film isn't all that bad, but I'm no good with these kinds of films. Overall, I didn't think it was a great film. I've since watched Melancholia for a second time after creating this thread and it truly is one of my all-time favourite films. LVT is more than capable of beautiful and unique films, but, in separating himself from the mainstream he is indeed bound to make films that steer perhaps too far from what most would find enjoyable or even laudable.

[–] wlee08 11 years ago

I didn't find it too bad. It helps when there is artistic merit which justifies certain scenes. I found Silent Hill to be a lot more disturbing, because a lot of it was just gratuitous (for shock value). But everything in this film seemed appropriate given the storyline. 9/10

[–] Critick 11 years ago

This is an arthouse film, to the bone. Lars Von Trier enjoys making people uncomfortable. I was disturbed but also fascinated.

This film is NOT easy to understand.

First off, there is no antichrist.

The answer is in a tiny detail. The shoes. She was suffering from symptoms of depression or illness before the son's death - one layer. Hearing auditory hallucinations etc,. Then layer two - its revealed to us that she watched him walk off the edge. Her obsession with her work regarding the nature of evil being a nexus for this bizarre omission.

What is fascinating is the implication of that act, rather than the boy dying itself. Her reasons are not clear even towards the end.

This film is not so much a story with true narrative, but rather a character study told almost totally symbolically. Immediately you recognize the Jungian symbols all over the place. Its never easy to understand what Lars Von Trier wants you to see (or not). I've only seen the film once, I plan to watch it again. As soon as I recover psychologically.

[–] salvador_luna 11 years ago

"She was suffering from symptoms of depression or illness before the son's death - one layer. Hearing auditory hallucinations"

What's interesting about that is how easy it is to say she was suffering from hallucinations but we accept his hallucination as real. Certainly the fox turning to him and saying "Chaos reigns" would qualify as a hallucination. If that were the case we could easily see the doe and the crow as other hallucinations as well. Notice she doesn't seem to see them at all. But then again within the context of the story they're all symbolic, and not to be understood as logical.

[–] sillyspaghetti 10 years ago

Hubby watched it as he likes anything effed-up. He didn't even get to the "disturbing" parts as it dragged so much. Gave up after 40 minutes.

[–] sbowesuk 10 years ago

That's how dire this movie is. Even people who are likely the target audience, can't get through this steaming pile of excrement.

My advice to the people who like the gross stuff is this - skip ahead to the latter parts of the movie. There's almost no plot to speak of, so you won't be missing anything. Get your quick thrill then get out fast.

[–] no-milk-today 9 years ago

I watched this film alone in the dark last night with headphones. It is most definitely disturbing. I am an empath and found myself pausing the film several times just to breath, and still today I am out of breath reading analysis of it. I am also a pedantic person, so I forced myself to never look away and miss an image. At one point the female character screams, and the echo effect in my headphones left me shocked for a second. This night I had my first bad dream in several months, though the nightmare did not resemble 'Antichrist' in any obvious way.

But it is a good and truly fascinating film nonetheless, and I am glad I watched it.

[–] eviljawa101-245-848254 8 years ago

Quite.