In the realm of cinema, a film that is gritty, explicit, confrontational, or somewhat sleazy—perhaps even embodying all these qualities—can proudly be categorized as a sicko movie. These films, whether deemed good or bad, are characterized by their extreme themes and boundary-pushing narratives. Classic examples include Pink Flamingos, while more contemporary sicko films can be found in the likes of Babylon and The Wolf of Wall Street.

If you find yourself raising an eyebrow during a film and are grateful that you’re not viewing it with family (sorry if you are), it likely falls into the category of sicko cinema. The year 2024 has proven fruitful for this genre, as the upcoming releases below will illustrate. They are ranked from mildly sick to downright filthy.

10

‘Challengers’

Directed by Luca Guadagnino

Luca Guadagnino has a reputation for crafting visually engaging films that deftly explore sexual themes and situations that are both overt and tastefully handled. While Challengers leans more towards the mild side of the sicko spectrum, it remains saturated with sexual tension and intricately weaves together the romantic entanglements of three individuals over many years.

More than just a romantic drama—interspersed with comedic elements—Challengers also operates as a compelling sports film centered around tennis. The film draws parallels between the physicality, passion, and intimacy of the sport and the sexual experiences of its characters. This approach creates a visceral experience that feels authentic, skillfully incorporating sexuality without tipping into gratuitous depictions.

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Release Date

April 26, 2024

Cast

Zendaya, Mike Faist, Josh O’Connor, Darnell Appling, Bryan Doo, Shane T Harris, Nada Despotovich, Joan Mcshane, Chris Fowler, Mary Joe Fernández, A.J. Lister, Connor Aulson, Doria Bramante, Christine Dye, James Sylva, Kenneth A. Osherow, Kevin Collins, Burgess Byrd, Jason Tong, Hudson Rivera, Noah Eisenberg, Emma Davis, Naheem Garcia, Alex Bancila, Jake Jensen, Konrad Ryba, Hailey Gates, Andrew Rogers, Beverly Kristenson Helton, Brad Gilbert, Sam Xu, Caleb Schneider

Runtime

131 Minutes

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9

‘In a Violent Nature’

Directed by Chris Nash

The slasher genre inherently possesses a twisted appeal, often centering around the gruesome exploits of a brutal killer who methodically slays a group of (typically young and attractive) individuals. In a Violent Nature unapologetically reaffirms this trope, delivering a premise that aligns with the genre’s conventions, yet it does so with an arthouse, almost meditative approach.

Throughout In a Violent Nature, viewers shadow the killer in a narrative filled with walking, stillness, and stalking, punctuated by occasional moments of graphic violence. The pacing is intentionally unusual, which may lead some to perceive segments as tedious—an aspect that could arguably be intentional. Nevertheless, the grisly murder scenes firmly establish In a Violent Nature as a moderately sick film.

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In a Violent Nature

Release Date

January 22, 2024

Director

Chris Nash

Cast

Lauren-Marie Taylor, Andrea Pavlovic, Ry Barrett, Reece Presley

Runtime

94 Minutes

8

‘Anora’

Directed by Sean Baker