The most disturbing film I have ever seen

Rating: 10/10 (24 April 1999)

I've had this discussion with many friends on what the most disturbing film they've ever seen is, and the results have been fairly consistent.
The fact is, that "Se7en" is the most disturbing film I have ever seen in my 28 years and it will likely have a stronghold grip on that title for some time to come. I say this from a male perspective.
And while I can appreciate why some of my female friend's opinions that "Silence Of The Lambs" holds the "Most Disturbing" title, I have to say that title was lost when "Se7en" was released. David Fincher's dark vision is incredibly creative and harrowing and will likely stay with me for years to come. When I first saw this film with my brother, I was blown away. This film taps into the greatest fear of all men, smashing like a sledgehammer into the weakest, most delicate area of the male psyche. I didn't rise from my seat at the theater not because I couldn't wait to see the credits, but rather to let the feeling in my stomach subside, so that I may walk out properly with some semblance of dignity.
Being a newly married man, I found the film to be the sheer embodiment of my worst fears which spoiler guidelines prohibit me from elaborating on. "Silence of the Lambs" may have freaked me out a bit, but it never touched me the way this film did.
Coming home, I couldn't decide what to tell my wife about the film. I did enjoy the film. It's a masterful achievement for any filmmaker, and the principal cast was excellent. But I didn't want her to see it, and realize my greatest fear. I told her straight out the reasons why, and I think it scared her off enough. Eventually, I had calmed down, and changed my tune. It was the only time in my life that I have behaved in such a manner.
We had another couple over, and my good friend's wife had also not seen the film. We watched the video with due reverence, and at its end had a discussion about it. Both women agreed that they enjoyed it very much, but it didn't have the same effect on them as it did us. The fact that "Silence of the Lambs" victims were all female may have something to do with our wives' points-of-view. Nevertheless, I can scarcely imagine a film that would tap into my soul and chill it in the same way "Se7en" has.