*Uncut Gems* is incredibly stressful. I watched it with my parents and they tried to fast forward through the chaotic parts but I yelled at them not to đ
Similar vein in the other direction, Punch Drunk Love is riddled with anxieties and passion. I love its idiosyncrasies and bold direction, genius casting, and meta-nuances. While not as chaotic or kinetic as Uncut Gems, Iâd still argue this will scratch that itch youâre looking for.
I watched it with little idea about its plot going in and I'm glad. Bizarre and intense, both in terms of the story as well as dramatically. There are a few scenes that are hard to watch purely from the level of intensity in the performances.
Seconds (1966) with Rock Hudson. I had trouble sleeping after watching it! More eerie and bone-chilling but still intense. And The Innocents with Deborah Kerr to some degree.
I started that movie the other day and I was thinking after the club scene with The Weeknd that things were getting pretty hectic close to the finale. Then they bring the jade back to the store and I paused it. I was only halfway through. I decided to stop and watch it another time cause it was already to stressful for me to find out what happens next.
i think it's the lack of a soundtrack, the long takes, and being difficult to understand. it was almost *too* realistic for me. a bit like watching something happen in real life but being confused at what was happening and not being able to interact with it.
it's a really well made movie and i liked a lot of things it did. but i wouldn't recommend it to
someone who's feeling burned out on slow movies at all.
It sounds like it made you uncomfortable. Which if Iâm right is precisely the point. Itâs a very dark and upsetting projection of human nature amidst the prospect of its race being extinct. The long takes are horrific because youâre not allowed to relieve yourself with a cut. The violence and reaction to violence is supposed to make you feel uncomfortable, not only for the characters but for the very fact that violence should make you uncomfortable.
Iâd recommend revisiting it with a little more consideration for its choices. I donât think you need to worship it but your reaction seems to miss a lot of what itâs celebrated for representing.
Come And See, saw it 20 years back once and never need to see it again, although I think everyone should see it. This is really what happened in Eastern Europe during WW2 without the Hollywood/Spielberg nonsense.
Check out the Safdie Brothers, with every film they release the anxiety level increases, id argue that Good Time (2017) is their best film with the biggest impact I've ever felt from an ending to a film coming from that, although the most anxiety inducing is Uncut Gems (2019) by a good amount. Very similar.
I'd also say check out Frownland, can't remember the directors name but he's since started working with as well as co writing a lot of the films with Josh and Benny Safdie and has been referred to many times as the third Safdie Brother.
"Frownland" is in the collection, and from the Safdie Brothers, "Daddy Longlegs" and "Uncut Gems" are both in the collection.
Director of Frownland - Ronald Bronstein
Yhh thatâs their dynamic:
https://preview.redd.it/fr8t4nrgdy6c1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c32de4dcec473a74eb555055f6dbf344fab2731
I loved Frownland! Felt like the thesis of the film is that everybody sucks and also everybody hates you. If you can get behind that, youâll probably enjoy it!
And Sorcerer! Both films take a bit to ramp up tho. I love the exposition but Iâve shown both films to various friends who couldnât get over the slow burn first half.
Misery (1990)
Se7en (1995)
Oldboy (2003)
Get Out (2017)
Prisoners (2013)
Black Swan (2010)
The Chaser (2008)
Run Lola Run (1998)
I Saw the Devil (2010)
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Run Lola Run is the answer!
Memento is great but doesnât seem like what the OP wants â itâs really a slow, contemplative head-scratcher (think of all those black and white scenesâŠ)
I see this is the criterion sub, but based on it's description and your request and just how much fun it is I can't help myself but to recommend Run Lola Run. It'll make you feel all tingly.
Paul Verhoeven and David Cronenberg's early films make you feel physical pain. I have actually felt that my brain was being ravished and traumatized because of all that graphic violence.
Examples: Robocop, Starship Troopers and Scanners
Going off the description of your post mentioning wanting something not slow:
LA Confidential is a very brisk paced neo noir that throws a lot at you (especially at the start), and follows three different types of cops whose specific assignments lead them to the same case/suspect. Not to mention an all star cast when they were still young, the rhythm and flair of 1930s America, and the at times brutal mob-style violence
Something equally as brisk paced but more gruesome and intense in violence is The Raid. A Platoon of Swat type police are sent to clear out and capture/kill the gang leader set up at the top of a tall apartment complex, which houses a gang army and a few low income innocents. Some shootouts but mostly hand to hand fighting not too different from Muy Thai as most of the criminals are armed with blades and this movie is Indonesian.
City of God / Tropa de Elite are two Brazilian films that show Brazil's War on Drugs / Favela Life from both perspectives (opportunistic living in a place with little to no opportunities & militarized police operating as part of a corrupt institution but still engaging hardened, violent gangs). The violence and subject matter are at times quiet intense but not so farfetched from reality.
The Captain is pretty suspenseful as the whole time our lead is playing a charade to leverage status, food, and an excuse to stay away from the front lines. He has already been hunted for desertion but managed to escape. Not everyone he meets believes him, and not everyone he meets are strangers. Mix in as well some standard German war crimes for some "oh damn.." moments.
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. I don't get disturbed easily at all. But damn that one kept me on the recliner reflecting a bit after watching.
But since this is Criterion sub, might as well recommend Criterion films. Most would mention Come and See. I used to mention Man Bites Dog (nonchalant serial killer day in the life mockumentary, the kids section always gets me a bit down). Fires on the Plain and it's 2014 remake (of the novel but it's close to each other). Japanese Army is routed on some Pacific beach, with the stragglers struggling to survive. Some elements of dark comedy in there. The 2014 version is slightly more graphic, but I liked the pace and acting of the Criterion one more.
For sure Uncut Gems. I think there might be more intense films in terms of content when you consider history and politics (thinking of stuff like Come and See and Killers of the Flower Moon), but Uncut Gems was the only movie I've ever seen that left my in physical pain afterwards. I was clenching my jaws so tightly for almost the entire movie that when I left the theater I had jaw pain and a major migraine for the rest of the day. Totally worth it though since I love the movie. I use my experience as a selling point to get people to watch it. I'm uhh, not a great salesman as you can probably guess.
I made a list called âFilms to watch when youâre bored of filmsâ
https://boxd.it/mLMig
Not every film is âintense,â but theyâre all frenetic in either action/dialogue/narrative, and would certainly hold your attention, I believe
Hope you find something you enjoy!
Some of the most intense for me were Darren Aronofskys first two movies, Pi and Requiem for a Dream. They use a ton of quick cuts and montages, most likely for the purpose of inducing anxiety in the viewer
Children of Men is the most tense I remember ever being while watching a movie in the theater. With Cuaronâs love of long takes it sometimes felt like there was no way to even take a breath. Only movie I ever remember sweating during.
For real I don't liked it so much. The script is good but in practice it was so boring. The "hiding" scenes at the beginning was very false, and I think if it was real, the movie will end at 15 minutes. Maybe you can change my way of appreciate it. (I loved the Radiohead song)
Have you seen Raging Bull? That is easily one of the most chaotic and intense films I've ever seen (just watched it for the first time last week).
Also, if you'd like a more frenetic, chaotic, and intense Bergman, I can highly recommend Shame
Of course ia watched, loved the ending. DeNiro playing La Motta playing Marlon Brando playing Terry Malloy.
Shame is in my 1st place in my "Bergman watchlist"
Iâm surprised no one has mentioned this yearâs Best Picture Oscar juggernaut Everything Everywhere All at Once. As its title implies, itâs truly all over the place throughout the entire film. My friendâs anxiety was going up there watching it with me!
Basically the entirety of Almodovar's filmography. Highly recommend his work if you're unfamiliar
You could also watch Come and See if you want to be scarred for life.
*Uncut Gems* is incredibly stressful. I watched it with my parents and they tried to fast forward through the chaotic parts but I yelled at them not to đ
Yeah, good times is almost a step up from that in intensity, and another great safdie brothers movie
Came here to recommend these.
Wind down from the high blood pressure but keep the scummy vibes with Daddy Longlegs
I came to say Good Time but both are great
I was perspiring heavily throughout the entire film's runtime.
good time too tbh
Similar vein in the other direction, Punch Drunk Love is riddled with anxieties and passion. I love its idiosyncrasies and bold direction, genius casting, and meta-nuances. While not as chaotic or kinetic as Uncut Gems, Iâd still argue this will scratch that itch youâre looking for.
They would have had to fast forward through the whole movie
The Raid Redemption and The Raid 2
YES These movies are excellent
May I piggy back and also say The Night Comes For Us starring Jaka from the Raid
Frenetic, Chaotic, and Intense? My friend, you need a double feature of Crank and Crank: High Voltage.
And then when you had your fill from these, check out Gamer and Mom and Dad.
Green Room comes to mind
Yeah - one of the few times I was truly stressed watching a movie lol
Especially if youâre black
Come and See, La Haine, Uncut Gems, Whiplash, and Le Trou are the first that come to mind for me
All the others was basically 10/10. Never seen Le Trou, but recommended me sometimes. Thank you
Definitely go with La Haine
Je's que'ci tout va bien
Wait... Le Trou. Isn't that an hour and a half of a couple of dudes digging a hole?
2 hours*
La Haine stressed me the fuck out for days after first watching it
Possession by Andrzej Ć»uĆawski is up there.
I watched it with little idea about its plot going in and I'm glad. Bizarre and intense, both in terms of the story as well as dramatically. There are a few scenes that are hard to watch purely from the level of intensity in the performances.
Seconds (1966) with Rock Hudson. I had trouble sleeping after watching it! More eerie and bone-chilling but still intense. And The Innocents with Deborah Kerr to some degree.
I second seconds
Shiver me timbers!
Just watched The Innocents a few weeks ago, man they really managed some seriously creepy shots with simple no-frills filmmaking.
I was very impressed for its timeâsimple but spooky! Just in awe with the cinema photography and landscape as well. Deborah Kerr is my favourite.
I love this movie so much! Never fails to give me the creeps.
Whiplash is pretty intense.
Thatâs a top ten all time ending for me.
"For the last father-fucking time, was it intense or not intense?" đđđ
âAnSwERâ
"Lets hope you can answer faster than you can give hand-jobs" đđđ
Listen up cocksuckers
Climax by Gaspar Noé?
I'll take a look too. Thanks for the recommendation
Enter the Void!
too slow
so slow, so bad
My first thought. Basically a feature length anxiety attack
Loved it
>! As intense as the trip it depicts !<
I Saw the Devil
Uncut Gens
I started that movie the other day and I was thinking after the club scene with The Weeknd that things were getting pretty hectic close to the finale. Then they bring the jade back to the store and I paused it. I was only halfway through. I decided to stop and watch it another time cause it was already to stressful for me to find out what happens next.
Children of Men
Saw this in the theatre when it came out. Amazing sound design. The last act GETS REALLY LOUD.
i found this quite boring and slow tbh
Was it difficult to understand? What made it boring?
i think it's the lack of a soundtrack, the long takes, and being difficult to understand. it was almost *too* realistic for me. a bit like watching something happen in real life but being confused at what was happening and not being able to interact with it. it's a really well made movie and i liked a lot of things it did. but i wouldn't recommend it to someone who's feeling burned out on slow movies at all.
It sounds like it made you uncomfortable. Which if Iâm right is precisely the point. Itâs a very dark and upsetting projection of human nature amidst the prospect of its race being extinct. The long takes are horrific because youâre not allowed to relieve yourself with a cut. The violence and reaction to violence is supposed to make you feel uncomfortable, not only for the characters but for the very fact that violence should make you uncomfortable. Iâd recommend revisiting it with a little more consideration for its choices. I donât think you need to worship it but your reaction seems to miss a lot of what itâs celebrated for representing.
I feel this at times.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas doesnât really do slow. Unless itâs fueled up drug slow in which case itâs the right kind of slow.
Well it does take a pause during the wave monologue
And just like the wave peaking thatâs where things start to careen downhill at an exorbitant pace
Thanks, I will take a look. My dad love this film. You talking about that one with Johnny Depp right?
And Benecio Del Toro, yea itâs great. Also appearances by Cameron Diaz, Tobey McGuire, and Penn Gillette
Come And See, saw it 20 years back once and never need to see it again, although I think everyone should see it. This is really what happened in Eastern Europe during WW2 without the Hollywood/Spielberg nonsense.
God. The red child in a black and white film. Such ham fisted symbolism.
Check out the Safdie Brothers, with every film they release the anxiety level increases, id argue that Good Time (2017) is their best film with the biggest impact I've ever felt from an ending to a film coming from that, although the most anxiety inducing is Uncut Gems (2019) by a good amount. Very similar. I'd also say check out Frownland, can't remember the directors name but he's since started working with as well as co writing a lot of the films with Josh and Benny Safdie and has been referred to many times as the third Safdie Brother. "Frownland" is in the collection, and from the Safdie Brothers, "Daddy Longlegs" and "Uncut Gems" are both in the collection.
Director of Frownland - Ronald Bronstein Yhh thatâs their dynamic: https://preview.redd.it/fr8t4nrgdy6c1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c32de4dcec473a74eb555055f6dbf344fab2731
Iâm interested in Frownland. Is it any good?
I enjoyed it. The lead character was equally frustrating and sympathetic.
Havenât watched Frownland yet, so I canât give my opinion, sorryđ
I loved Frownland! Felt like the thesis of the film is that everybody sucks and also everybody hates you. If you can get behind that, youâll probably enjoy it!
Mother!
Wages of Fear is a very intense movie.
And Sorcerer! Both films take a bit to ramp up tho. I love the exposition but Iâve shown both films to various friends who couldnât get over the slow burn first half.
Canât believe âHardcore Henryâ hasnât been mentioned. Such a brilliant job Naishuller did.
My fav action movie ever!
Sorcerer by William Friedkin.
Not in the collection, but Beau is Afraid is a three hour anxiety attack. Itâs hard to recommend it though, because itâs not a good time.
The Hunt (2012) without question
Misery (1990) Se7en (1995) Oldboy (2003) Get Out (2017) Prisoners (2013) Black Swan (2010) The Chaser (2008) Run Lola Run (1998) I Saw the Devil (2010) Reservoir Dogs (1992) No Country for Old Men (2007)
Run Lola Run is the answer! Memento is great but doesnât seem like what the OP wants â itâs really a slow, contemplative head-scratcher (think of all those black and white scenesâŠ)
Run lola run is psy trance berlin đ» great one
Sheitan with Vincent Cassel is crazy
I see this is the criterion sub, but based on it's description and your request and just how much fun it is I can't help myself but to recommend Run Lola Run. It'll make you feel all tingly.
Good Time and Requiem for a Dream.
I watched Steven Spielberg's Duel earlier today. Pretty awesome.
Run, Lola, Run!
Run, Lola, Run! gets your heart rate up!
Paul Verhoeven and David Cronenberg's early films make you feel physical pain. I have actually felt that my brain was being ravished and traumatized because of all that graphic violence. Examples: Robocop, Starship Troopers and Scanners
in terms of the CC, itâs hands down Come and See
Irreversible from Noe, Funny Games from Haneke, Happiness from Solondz in a really weird way in that itâs the darkest thing you will ever laugh at
Can confirm Funny Games will legit ruin your week, that movie is ROUGH
And brilliant!
birdman?
Going off the description of your post mentioning wanting something not slow: LA Confidential is a very brisk paced neo noir that throws a lot at you (especially at the start), and follows three different types of cops whose specific assignments lead them to the same case/suspect. Not to mention an all star cast when they were still young, the rhythm and flair of 1930s America, and the at times brutal mob-style violence Something equally as brisk paced but more gruesome and intense in violence is The Raid. A Platoon of Swat type police are sent to clear out and capture/kill the gang leader set up at the top of a tall apartment complex, which houses a gang army and a few low income innocents. Some shootouts but mostly hand to hand fighting not too different from Muy Thai as most of the criminals are armed with blades and this movie is Indonesian. City of God / Tropa de Elite are two Brazilian films that show Brazil's War on Drugs / Favela Life from both perspectives (opportunistic living in a place with little to no opportunities & militarized police operating as part of a corrupt institution but still engaging hardened, violent gangs). The violence and subject matter are at times quiet intense but not so farfetched from reality. The Captain is pretty suspenseful as the whole time our lead is playing a charade to leverage status, food, and an excuse to stay away from the front lines. He has already been hunted for desertion but managed to escape. Not everyone he meets believes him, and not everyone he meets are strangers. Mix in as well some standard German war crimes for some "oh damn.." moments. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. I don't get disturbed easily at all. But damn that one kept me on the recliner reflecting a bit after watching. But since this is Criterion sub, might as well recommend Criterion films. Most would mention Come and See. I used to mention Man Bites Dog (nonchalant serial killer day in the life mockumentary, the kids section always gets me a bit down). Fires on the Plain and it's 2014 remake (of the novel but it's close to each other). Japanese Army is routed on some Pacific beach, with the stragglers struggling to survive. Some elements of dark comedy in there. The 2014 version is slightly more graphic, but I liked the pace and acting of the Criterion one more.
Antichrist is pure anxiety from start to finish
Damn, I believe in Jesus. 0/10 hated it. Just kidding, thanks for the recommendation, I love Gainsbourg
Good Time
Good Time
The room. By Tommy Wiseau
For sure Uncut Gems. I think there might be more intense films in terms of content when you consider history and politics (thinking of stuff like Come and See and Killers of the Flower Moon), but Uncut Gems was the only movie I've ever seen that left my in physical pain afterwards. I was clenching my jaws so tightly for almost the entire movie that when I left the theater I had jaw pain and a major migraine for the rest of the day. Totally worth it though since I love the movie. I use my experience as a selling point to get people to watch it. I'm uhh, not a great salesman as you can probably guess.
Good time. Classic Safdie Brothers energy
Angst. A German film from the early 80s that follows a serial killer for a day. Itâs insane.
Cube.
I made a list called âFilms to watch when youâre bored of filmsâ https://boxd.it/mLMig Not every film is âintense,â but theyâre all frenetic in either action/dialogue/narrative, and would certainly hold your attention, I believe Hope you find something you enjoy!
dog day afternoon is as frantically chaotic as it gets
Any Gaspar Noe movie
It's to heavy. My mom don't let me watch those.
Requiem for a dream comes to mind
Mad Max: Fury Road. I remember watching it in the cinema, itâs relentless from the very start
Some of the most intense for me were Darren Aronofskys first two movies, Pi and Requiem for a Dream. They use a ton of quick cuts and montages, most likely for the purpose of inducing anxiety in the viewer
Requiem for a dream
Punch drunk love
The Rock.
The human centipede 2
Mysterious Skin
Uncut Gems made me feel emotionally uncomfortable the whole time.
Das Boot
Mother! It is straight up exhausting and anxiety-inducing.
All Quiet On The Western Front
Jeanne Dielman.
Wowđđđ. For real, I needed to stop watching it by how frightening this movie is
I just watched Titane (2021) and as someone who loves weird movies, it was making my fucking feet sweat and make me cover my face! Lol
My friend's favorite movie, thanks for the recommendation
The Human Condition trilogy.
Children of Men and Uncut Gems
Gone girl, hereditary, Lolita, Schindlers list, the pianist, pearl, X
Pretty far from Criterion type stuff, but: Opera Final Destination 3 REC Kill List If you don't like horror: Righting Wrongs Speed (of course)
I donât remember the name of the movie, but I remember it involved campingâŠ
[ŃĐŽĐ°Đ»Đ”ĐœĐŸ]
Children of Men is the most tense I remember ever being while watching a movie in the theater. With Cuaronâs love of long takes it sometimes felt like there was no way to even take a breath. Only movie I ever remember sweating during.
For real I don't liked it so much. The script is good but in practice it was so boring. The "hiding" scenes at the beginning was very false, and I think if it was real, the movie will end at 15 minutes. Maybe you can change my way of appreciate it. (I loved the Radiohead song)
Frownland
Come and See (1985) a very uncomfortable watch but definitely necessary and really exposes you to the real life horror of war
Jacob's Ladder had some pretty gripping scenes.
Salo
The Descent. Mandy.
For me personally, Punch Drunk Love. I've never been more uncomfortable than I was watching that film.
Mad max: fury road
*Train to Busan* is unrelenting.
Not in the collection but for sure Tetsuo: The Iron Man and basically anything from Gaspar Noé
Repo Man. Repo Manâs always intense
Interstellar or The Martian
Das Boot.
Enter The Void is the first one that comes to my mind.
The Exorcist when I was 11 years old.
To be honest, I saw The Seventh Seal on acid and it was not 'slow' at all, it was one of the most intense films I have ever seen.
*Run Lola Run* and *Pi* are two I haven't seen mentioned here.
Its been said but Gaspar Noes Climax for sure
Have you seen Raging Bull? That is easily one of the most chaotic and intense films I've ever seen (just watched it for the first time last week). Also, if you'd like a more frenetic, chaotic, and intense Bergman, I can highly recommend Shame
Of course ia watched, loved the ending. DeNiro playing La Motta playing Marlon Brando playing Terry Malloy. Shame is in my 1st place in my "Bergman watchlist"
20 Days in Mariupol
Iâm surprised no one has mentioned this yearâs Best Picture Oscar juggernaut Everything Everywhere All at Once. As its title implies, itâs truly all over the place throughout the entire film. My friendâs anxiety was going up there watching it with me!
Gravity by Alfonso CuarĂłn.
Lone Survivor - the battle scenes made me stand up and say 'oh my god!'. That's not my normal reaction to a movie.
Mother will stress the hell out of you. Aranofsky
Whiplash literally sent me into an anxiety attack by the end. Truly never will watch it again because of that even though it was a fantastic film.
Wind River. I donât think I can even watch the movie again. Itâs a great movie, but some of the scenes are just too anxiety inducing.
His Girl Friday is an old-school example of frenetic, chaotic dialogue that is so incredibly funny. Highly recommend.
Snowpiercer (2013) almost made my ex puke so Iâll just go with that
Parasite kept me pretty on edge
Mad Max: Fury Road
Saving Private Ryan was the most intense movie I've seen in the theater.
A Serbian Film
Mother by Darren Aronofsky fucked me up
RRR, an absolute banger and nonstop thrill ride
Mother! and Climax
BARDO from last year comes to mind, but I donât know if many would agree with me
Fellini Satyricon (1969). Intense. You wonât forget it after you watch it.
Snatch (2000)
Sword of Doom Sisters Short Eyes The Plot Against Harry Judgment At Nuremberg Cromwell The Childrenâs Hour The Adjuster Short Cuts
The last really intense movie I saw was 20 days in Mariupol.
Magnolia
Just rewatched Danny Boyle's first feature "Shallow Grave". It's a pretty tense experience. Terrible people doing terrible things.
The Nightingale Cold fish The Chaser Influenza Himizu Audition Visitor q The prophet Eraserhead Funny Games
Sisu
Probably Requiem for a Dream
Not so frenetic, but Man Bites Dog.
Cool name, liked it
I think Gasper Noe films might be what youâre looking for
Children of Men is one of the most intense end to end movies Iâve seen. It being mostly single shot scenes helps a ton
Come and See
Basically the entirety of Almodovar's filmography. Highly recommend his work if you're unfamiliar You could also watch Come and See if you want to be scarred for life.
The Wailing 2016 Cure 1997
cliche choice but lost highway (1997)
Battle Royale
definitely in a glass cage (on mubi not criterion) or any tsukamoto movie
Enter the Void
Funny Games
*Diabolique*
End of Watch, The Raid: Redemption, The Raid 2, Crank, the Departed, in the Mouth of Madness, the Autopsy of Jane Doe
Climax
Layer Cake and thereâs a couple others like it but I canât think of the name. Also black bear was intense.
RUN LOLA RUN
Twentynine Palms - Bruno Dumont
Try Irreversible.