Disturbing Crime

Many of us enjoy a good crime story, but some films take it to creepier, stranger, and more disturbingly realistic levels. These films are not for the light hearted.

1. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer; Tom Tykwer Click here to see trailer

This bizarrely magical film follows street boy Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Ben Whishaw) and his superior sense of smell. After he discovers the most beautiful smell of all is in the soul of pretty women, he murders them and harvests their scent. 

2. Blue Velvet; David Lynch Click here to see trailer

From the same director as the strange yet popular Twin Peaks, you can expect to be confused, frightened, and visually awed. Teenager Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) finds a severed ear in a field, and goes on to solve the mystery behind who may have done this. He meets an older woman (Isabella Rossellini) who may have the answer he is looking for.

3. Gone Girl; David Fincher Click here to see trailer

Based on the novel by Gillian Flynn, this film is the classic 'who dunnit', with twist after twist, and an epic musical score by band members from Nine Inch Nails. Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) comes home to find what looks like a break in, and his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) is missing. After investigation from police, Nick is the number one suspect for her murder although adamant that he has been framed. 

4. American History X; Tony Kaye Click here to see trailer

This powerful look at the extreme neo-nazi racism in the underground of America will leave anyone who watches it questioning what racism really is. Derek (Edward Norton), a violent and proud skinhead commits a series of hate crimes and eventually ends up in prison for murder. While he is in prison, his family and friends continue his legacy - but is this still what Derek wants? 

5. Zodiac; David Fincher Click here to see trailer

This film is based on the true and chilling unsolved crimes of the Zodiac Killer. Police, including Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) and Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) are attempting to solve the mysterious murders, and embarrassingly are being taunted with clues and messages sent from the killer himself. A young newspaper cartoonist (Jake Gyllenhaal) becomes obsessed with trying to find the answers, too, and soon is being taunted by the killer as well. 

6. Antichrist; Lars Von Trier Click here to see trailer

After losing their son in an unfortunate accident, unnamed psychologist (Williem Dafoe) takes his grieving wife (Charlotte Gainsbourg) to a cabin for recovery. But he soon discovers that the challenge of treating her is more difficult than he thought when she begins acting strangely, and he finds strange trinkets hidden in the cabin from her previous visit. This film is by far the most graphic I have ever seen, and although not as obviously about a crime, you will soon see why it is in this list. 

7. The Eyes of Laura Mars; Irvin Kershner Click here to see trailer

A very young Tommy Lee Jones stars as a detective in this retro thriller. Famous photographer (Faye Dunaway) begins to see a string of murders happening through her eyes, before they have actually happened. Obviously there is some scepticism surrounding her stories, and to avoid being a suspect herself, she and the detective work to figure out who is committing the crimes. 

8. Monster; Patty Jenkins Click here to see trailer

This film is less disturbing, and more sad as we see the tumultuous life of infamous serial killer Aileen Wuornos. When Aileen (Charlize Theron) meets new love interest Selby (Christina Ricci), she inadvertently turns to murder in order to steal money and support their American dream lifestyle.