If you're a fan of gritty, unsettling horror like 'The Driller Killer' (1979), you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 similarly intense movies and shows that deliver raw, visceral thrills. Whether you love psychological torment, urban decay, or unhinged protagonists, these picks will satisfy your craving for dark, disturbing cinema.

The Last House on the Left (1972)
Description: A brutal and unflinching revenge horror film that explores themes of violence and retribution with raw intensity.
Fact: The film was heavily censored upon release due to its graphic content and controversial themes.


The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Description: A landmark horror film known for its relentless tension, gruesome violence, and a sense of dread that permeates every scene.
Fact: The movie was marketed as based on true events, though its connections to reality are tenuous at best.


The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
Description: A survival horror film that pits ordinary people against savage antagonists in a desolate, unforgiving landscape.
Fact: The movie was inspired by the legend of Sawney Bean, a mythical Scottish cannibal.


The Toolbox Murders (1978)
Description: A sleazy, violent horror film that follows a killer using various tools to commit gruesome murders, creating a sense of visceral terror.
Fact: The film was initially banned in several countries due to its extreme violence and disturbing content.


Don't Go in the House (1979)
Description: A psychological horror film focusing on a disturbed man's descent into madness, featuring intense and graphic violence.
Fact: The film was one of the first to use a flame-thrower as a murder weapon in horror cinema.


Maniac (1980)
Description: A gritty, low-budget horror film that delves into the mind of a disturbed killer, featuring graphic violence and a raw, unsettling atmosphere.
Fact: The film was controversial for its graphic violence and was banned in several countries upon release.


The Burning (1981)
Description: A summer camp slasher with a disfigured killer, graphic violence, and a tense, suspenseful narrative.
Fact: The film features early work by Hollywood heavyweights like Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein.


The Prowler (1981)
Description: A slasher film with a mysterious killer, graphic violence, and a suspenseful, atmospheric tone.
Fact: The film features some of the most realistic and gruesome special effects by Tom Savini.


Maniac Cop (1988)
Description: A blend of horror and action, featuring a relentless, undead killer and a gritty urban setting.
Fact: The film was written by Larry Cohen, known for his work in low-budget horror and exploitation films.


Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)
Description: A chilling, documentary-style portrayal of a serial killer's life, emphasizing psychological horror and brutal realism.
Fact: The film was based loosely on the crimes of real-life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas.
