‘Most Screwed Up Movie’ People Have Ever Seen Left Viewers Feeling Extremely Uncomfortable

The movie often labeled as the 'most screwed up movie’ that people have ever seen came out 20 years ago, but it continues to stick with viewers even today.

And no, it’s not Marley & Me, though I’d argue any film that sad should definitely be considered 'screwed up'.

I still think about that dog every single day.

But let's set that particular trauma aside - this film has impacted people in a completely different way.

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Brady Corbet, the 2004 thriller centers on two teenagers who both went through a bizarre event in their younger years.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Neil, a gay sex worker who has disturbing memories of an encounter with his former baseball coach. 

Meanwhile, Brady Corbet’s character, Brian, becomes obsessed with aliens after experiencing an amnesia blackout. 

Mysterious Skin follows two teenage boys. TLA Releasing

He believes he might have been abducted during this period.

Later on, Brian finds clues that might connect Neil to his own experience, which leads him to track Neil down in New York City.

The film, titled Mysterious Skin, has received high praise on Rotten Tomatoes, with an Audience Score of 89 percent and a Tomatometer score of 86 percent.

It has been described as 'devastating', 'illuminating', and 'captivating'.

However, viewers on Reddit have also labeled it as the 'most screwed up movie' they’ve ever seen.

The film has stuck in many viewer's minds TLA Releasing

One Reddit user discussed the film, saying: "Because unlike torture porn like A Serbian film or Human Centipede, it’s disturbing because it’s realistic and unflinching in its depiction of abuse and how people react to it."

Another viewer commented, "This movie really made me feel uncomfortable."

A third person wrote: "Yep, this one is top of my list of brilliant movies I don't want to watch again."

One viewer confessed that the film stayed with them for 20 years, sharing:

"I was thinking of this film the other day, but couldn’t remember the name of it for the life of me. Yup, that film definitely sticks with you (well, except for the title apparently…)."

The performance of Joseph Gordon-Levitt has also received a lot of praise from viewers.

Director Gregg Araki noted that the two main characters 'pull you into the story'.

In an interview with Indie Wire, he said: "There’s tough stuff in the film but none of it is gratuitous. None of it is there for any sort of shock value.

"It’s really all about this emotional journey of these two boys."