Summary
- Some of the greatest documentary films delve into disturbing real-life nightmares, connecting viewers through empathy and discomfort.
- These documentaries offer windows into real-life tragedies, exploring the effects of suicide, abuse, manipulative cults, and extreme belief systems.
- The power of documentary films lies in their ability to shed light on dark aspects of humanity, forcing viewers to confront uncomfortable truths.
Few horror movies can match the disturbing nature of real life. From the depraved acts of serial murderers to the brainwashing manipulation of religious cults, humanity's dark side can be extreme and traumatizing. Some of the greatest documentary films in cinema history have delved into these disturbing subjects, creating movie experiences that are deeply uncomfortable yet utterly compelling.
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These documentaries serve as windows into real-life nightmares, highlighting the frailty of the human condition while simultaneously connecting viewers through empathy. While the very act of filming can change the truth of a moment, these movies depict the real-life experiences of their subjects and offer captivating glimpses into disturbing moments in time.
10 The Bridge
An Unflinching Depiction of Tragic Loss
The Bridge
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 27, 2006
- Runtime
- 93 minutes
- Director
- Eric Steel
Filmed over a single year, The Bridge chronicles the numerous suicides committed on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The site is one of the most popular locations for people to take their own lives, with around 30 deaths every year. The film interviews both the survivors and friends and family of those who didn’t.
The documentary garnered some criticism for its voyeuristic nature, with some claiming it has increased suicide rates at the bridge. However, many have praised its brutally honest portrayal of suicide and the effects it can have on those who are left behind.
9 Mommy Dead and Dearest
A Twisted Case of Control and Murder
Mommy Dead and Dearest
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- March 11, 2017
WHERE TO WATCH
- Runtime
- 82 minutes
- Director
- Erin Lee Carr
Mommy Dead and Dearest follows the disturbing case of DeeDee Blanchard, a woman killed by her daughter and daughter’s boyfriend. It delves into the broken relationship between a mother and daughter that eventually ended in tragedy.
It explores the years of abuse Gypsy Rose Blanchard experienced at the hands of her controlling mother and the aftermath of the crime. Mommy Dead and Dearest is as shocking as it is compelling, highlighting the all-consuming influence that unfit parents can have on their children. Fans of true-crime stories are likely to appreciate this twisted tale of mental illness, abuse, and deceit.
8 Girl in the Picture
Uncovering a Decades-Long Mystery
Girl In The Picture
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- July 6, 2022
WHERE TO WATCH
- Runtime
- 101 Minutes
- Director
- Skye Borgman
This tragic tale delves into the uncovering of a girl's decades-long disappearance and the sinister federal fugitive at the center of the story. The film explores an unbelievable case of abuse that went unnoticed for years and its sad ending.
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Girl in the Picture unravels this mystery, providing plenty of twists that will both anger and shock its viewers. With interviews with investigators and friends of the girl, this chilling film serves as a reminder of how easily someone can disappear and how evil can be living right next door to anyone.
7 Jesus Camp
An Uncomfortable Portrait of Religious Evangelism in Children
Jesus Camp
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- December 22, 2006
- Runtime
- 87 Minutes
- Director
- Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
This shocking documentary brings viewers into the world of evangelical Christian children as they attend the Kids on Fire School of Ministry, a religious summer camp. Here, they learn to hone their skills as charismatic preachers in order to spread the word of God throughout America.
Jesus Camp brings an impartial view to these extreme forms of worship, as children are taught creationist views and trained to be a part of the “Army of God.” The film's controversial content eventually led to the closure of the camp. It's an uncomfortable watch overall, portraying young children as they are indoctrinated into extreme beliefs and devout preaching.
6 Capturing the Friedmans
A Disturbing Tale of Abuse
Capturing the Friedmans
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- May 30, 2003
WHERE TO WATCH
- Runtime
- 107 Minutes
- Director
- Andrew Jarecki
This award-winning documentary follows the investigation and trials of Arthur and Jesse Friedman, a father and son accused of child molestation. Using home footage filmed by Arthur’s younger son, David, viewers witness the Friedman family during this time.
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While there was some criticism of the film, with some key footage purposely being left out, it still serves as a haunting story of a family's downfall and the pitfalls of truth within the legal system. Despite the backlash, it went on to be nominated for an Academy Award, and it even won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Documentary.
5 Grizzly Man
A Tragic Story of Passion and Nature
Grizzly Man
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- August 12, 2005
WHERE TO WATCH
- Runtime
- 103 minutes
- Director
- Werner Herzog
Werner Herzog’s acclaimed documentary, Grizzly Man, is a gripping portrait of one man’s passion for nature and his ultimate folly. The film tells the story of the late Timothy Treadwell, a conservationist whose infectious passion for bears led to his untimely death, along with his girlfriend Amie Huguenard.
Herzog’s haunting film delves into the man’s life and work, unraveling who he was and where he went wrong. The tragic events surrounding Treadwell’s passing are a constant reminder of the untameable nature of the wild and are likely to stay with viewers long after the credits roll.
4 Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple
One of the Most Notorious Cults in History
- Directed: Stanley Nelson Jr.
- Released: 2006
- Runtime: 1h 26m
Led by the cult leader, Jim Jones, the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, also known as Jonestown, was a cult settlement established in Guyana. It would become the notorious site of a large-scale murder-suicide of over 900 people, which was orchestrated by Jones.
The feature-length documentary Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple delves into this sinister part of history. Using new footage, the film explores Jones’s life and the events that led up to the horrific event. With interviews with survivors and those who knew Jones, the film serves as a disturbing portrait of manipulation and the dangers associated with blind faith.
3 The Act of Killing
A Surreal and Unnerving Exploration of Mass Murder
The Act of Killing
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- November 1, 2012
- Runtime
- 159 minutes
- Director
- Joshua Oppenheimer
During the years of 1965 and 1966, between 500,000 and 1 million people were brutally murdered by the Indonesian army under the direction of President Suharto. While primarily targeting suspected communist party members after a failed coup d’etat, the killings would spread to certain ethnic groups, atheists, and anyone loosely considered leftist. These murders would go unpunished, with the perpetrators remaining in power.
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The Act of Killing is a surreal and disturbing documentary that follows Anwar Congo, a renowned executioner and beloved public figure. Throughout the documentary, filmmaker Joshua Oppenheimer asks Anwar and his former death squad acquaintances to re-enact the killings they committed. The film delves into the minds of the mass murderers as they create bizarre set pieces that blur the truth of their horrific past, exploring themes around truth, guilt, and trauma.
2 Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom
A Chilling Depiction of Modern Oppression
- Directed: Evgeny Afineevsky
- Released: 2015
- Runtime: 1h 42m
Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom features some of the most disturbing footage in recent political history. The film chronicles the Euromaidan Protests during 2013 and 2014, when the corrupt Ukrainian government discarded any hope of an EU deal in exchange for a pro-Russian one.
The film depicts the shocking dystopian crackdown on protesters and the people's unwavering strength and resilience against brutal oppression. As the situation worsens, and people start dying, the film follows the protesters who refuse to cower in the hopes of a better future. Charting the early days of Ukraine’s recent clashes with Russian expansion, Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom acts as a timely reminder of the importance of freedom and how easily it can be taken away.
1 Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
A Truly Heart-Wrenching Story
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 31, 2008
- Runtime
- 93 minutes
- Director
- Kurt Kuenne
This heartbreaking film revolves around the story of Andrew Bagby, a man taken before his time. His filmmaker friend, Kurt Kuenne, crafts the stunning tale of loss and tragedy, structuring it as a letter to Bagby’s son.
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is a film best watched without any prior knowledge of its story. Its many gut-wrenching twists take viewers on an emotional journey that will likely stay with them for a long time. On release, the film was met with critical praise and would even lead to changes in Canadian law. It is widely considered one of the best documentary films ever made.
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