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Discomfort Movies

A collection contemplating those films that challenge us the most.

Most people are familiar with the ‘comfort movie’ – the feel-good, film equivalent of your favourite snack; viewing that is pleasurable, familiar or undemanding, offering us precious escapism or a soothing balm from our own realities. But what about the films that make us feel bad? The films in this season form the antithesis of the comfort watch. Through a variety of content and styles, they induce feelings of fear, stress, anxiety or despair, often pushing the envelope and haunting us long after they’ve ended. From intense, soul-baring performances through to queasy humour and wince-inducing body horror, these films transcend genre and employ discomfort not just to shock, but to explore ideas. They may veer towards the dark, but they remain boldly cinematic and often transformative – offering big rewards to open-minded audiences.

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CrashCrash

Drama1996100 minsDirector: David Cronenberg

Technology and sexuality meet in head-on collision in David Cronenberg’s controversial adaptation of writer J.G. Ballard’s hugely transgressive 1973 novel, starring James Spader and Holly Hunter.

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AuditionAudition

Horror1999115 minsDirector: Takashi Miike

Takashi Miike burst to international prominence with this deeply disturbing tale of a deadly young woman who turns the tables on her middle-aged suitor.

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LovelessLoveless

Drama2017127 minsDirector: Andrey Zvyagintsev

Andrey Zvyagintsev (Elena, Leviathan) delivers a masterpiece in this caustic look at contemporary Russian society, a failed marriage and the disappearance of a child. A major prize winner at both Cannes and BFI London Film Festival.

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Welcome to the DollhouseWelcome to the Dollhouse

Drama199587 minsDirector: Todd Solondz

Todd Solondz’s outstanding sophomore feature is a darkly comic portrait of suburban teen angst, starring Heather Matarazzo in her iconic breakout role as quirky high school misfit Dawn "Wiener-dog" Wiener.

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OldboyOldboy

Thriller2003120 minsDirector: Park Chan-wook

Park’s wilfully grotesque fable about an abductee trying to fathom the mysteries of his past.

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Christiane F.Christiane F.

Drama1981131 minsDirector: Uli Edel

David Bowie’s image and music gives brooding energy to this tale of a junkie sex-worker in 70s Berlin.

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EnemyEnemy

Drama201391 minsDirector: Denis Villeneuve

Jake Gyllenhaal stars as doppelgängers in this dark, pulsating thriller from Denis Villeneuve.

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Bad LieutenantBad Lieutenant

Crime199296 minsDirector: Abel Ferrara

Abel Ferrara's disturbing character study of a corrupt N.Y.C. cop and his slide into insanity, starring Harvey Keitel in a career-best performance.

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NakedNaked

Drama1993131 minsDirector: Mike Leigh

David Thewlis stuns as the motormouth predator of Mike Leigh's divisive masterpiece.

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DogtoothDogtooth

Drama200993 minsDirector: Yorgos Lanthimos

Yorgos Lanthimos' scary, witty tale of a dysfunctional Greek family is original, ingenious and sadly relevant as a study of parent-child relationships