15 Films That Overused 'Unsettling' Elements Without Purpose

When Unsettling Doesn’t Work: 15 Films That Overdid the Dark Turn

Filmmakers often push boundaries by embracing darker, stranger, or more unsettling tones. When executed well, these choices can elevate a story into bold, memorable territory. But when they don’t land, the result is confusion, alienation, or outright frustration. Whether it’s a sudden stylistic shift, bizarre dialogue, or visual choices that feel out of place, these films took unsettling detours that didn’t pay off.

Below are 15 movies that leaned into the unsettling side—sometimes to their detriment.

The Counselor (2013)

What could have been a grounded crime thriller instead veers into bleak, unsettling territory that feels disconnected from its characters. The shift in tone undercuts the narrative’s potential, leaving audiences puzzled rather than engaged.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)

Yorgos Lanthimos’ deliberate coldness and strange dialogue create discomfort, but for many viewers, the film feels more alienating than compelling. The unsettling tone dominates, overshadowing any emotional resonance.

The Lovely Bones (2009)

Peter Jackson’s adaptation of Alice Sebold’s novel starts with a deeply emotional premise—a murdered girl observing her family’s grief—but interrupts it with surreal and unsettling visual choices. These moments clash with the grounded tragedy, weakening the film’s impact.

The Neon Demon (2016)

Nicolas Winding Refn’s visually striking film leans so heavily into unsettling imagery and tone that it often overshadows its narrative. The extreme aesthetic choices become distracting rather than enhancing, leaving the story feeling secondary.

The Turning (2020)

A gothic horror setup builds atmosphere effectively, but the film’s shift into a confusing and unsettling ending leaves audiences frustrated. The payoff doesn’t justify the unsettling detour, resulting in more questions than answers.

Under the Skin (2013)

Jonathan Glazer’s minimal-dialogue sci-fi film creates a haunting atmosphere through eerie sequences, but its extreme detachment can make it feel unsettling without clear purpose. The detachment borders on alienation, leaving viewers without emotional anchors.

Vivarium (2019)

A strong high-concept premise—a couple trapped in a suburban nightmare—becomes increasingly unsettling in a repetitive way. The experience feels draining rather than meaningful, with the unsettling elements failing to deepen the story.

Wuthering Heights (2011)

Andrea Arnold’s adaptation strips away much of the romance from Emily Brontë’s classic, replacing it with a bleak, raw atmosphere. The harsh tone feels more alienating than impactful, weakening the emotional core of the story.

Don’t Worry Darling (2022)

Olivia Wilde’s thriller starts with a polished, intriguing setup but shifts into a darker direction that feels underdeveloped. The unsettling elements lack sufficient grounding, leaving the film’s tone inconsistent and unsatisfying.

High-Rise (2015)

Ben Wheatley’s adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s novel spirals into chaotic and disturbing imagery that often feels excessive. The unsettling visuals overshadow the story’s themes, making the film feel more like a stylistic exercise than a cohesive narrative.

Men (2022)

Alex Garland’s psychological horror begins as a tense, atmospheric film but escalates into increasingly bizarre territory. The unsettling shift feels more confusing than meaningful for many viewers, undermining the film’s initial tension.

mother! (2017)

Darren Aronofsky’s slow-burn film builds tension effectively, but its chaotic, overwhelming symbolism becomes so unsettling that it risks losing the audience entirely. The extreme choices feel more like provocation than storytelling.

Poor Things (2023)

Yorgos Lanthimos’ visually inventive and bold film pushes into bizarre and uncomfortable territory constantly. While the aesthetic choices are striking, they often overshadow the emotional core of the story, making the unsettling elements feel excessive.

Saltburn (2023)

Emerald Fennell’s sharp social drama starts strong but gradually turns into something far more disturbing. The shocking moments feel designed more to provoke than to deepen the narrative, leaving the unsettling detour feeling gratuitous.

Suspiria (2018)

Luca Guadagnino’s stylish and ambitious remake leans heavily into darker, more intense reinterpretations of the original. While the visuals are striking, the film’s unnecessary heaviness overshadows its core story, making the unsettling choices feel unearned.

These films demonstrate that while unsettling elements can enhance a story, they must be used purposefully. When they’re not, the result is often confusion, alienation, or frustration—leaving audiences questioning why the detour was necessary in the first place.