Some movies are designed to entertain, others to inspire, and some exist to confront audiences with the harshest realities imaginable. The most upsetting films ever made often earn critical acclaim precisely because they refuse to soften their subject matter. Everyone should watch these movies once, but perhaps never again thereafter. These films are not necessarily unpleasant because they are poorly made – quite the opposite. Their performances, storytelling, and direction are extraordinary. However, the emotional weight they carry can make revisiting them difficult. A second viewing means willingly reliving moments that are devastating, disturbing, or deeply tragic. Their emotional impact...