Warning: This article discusses graphic and disturbing content. Reader discretion is advised.

Think you can handle the most intense, blood-soaked, and downright terrifying horror films out there? If so, you've come to the right place. While we often cater to those who prefer their scares with a side of comfort, we also recognize the thrill of true horror. This list is for those who crave the visceral, the macabre, and the truly disturbing. Dive in, if you dare, to a selection of gruesome queer horror movies that will test your limits.

But be warned: these films are not for the faint of heart. If you prefer your horror with a side of lightheartedness, we recommend checking out our guide to horror movies for the "Steven Universe crowd" instead. There's no shame in admitting that a PG rating is enough to send shivers down your spine.

For the rest of you brave souls, prepare to witness some of the most shocking and unforgettable scenes in queer horror cinema. From body horror masterpieces to twisted slashers, these films push the boundaries of the genre and will leave you reeling.

1. Climax (2018)

Gaspar Noé, the enfant terrible of French cinema, delivers a psychedelic descent into madness with Climax. A dance troupe's celebratory gathering takes a sinister turn when their sangria is spiked with LSD. What begins as a vibrant and energetic party quickly devolves into chaos, paranoia, and violence. As the dancers succumb to the drug's effects, their deepest fears and desires are unleashed, leading to a series of disturbing and graphic encounters.

Most Gruesome Moment: A pregnant dancer, driven to the brink by the hallucinogen-fueled frenzy, is encouraged by the crowd to harm herself. The scene culminates in a shocking act of self-violence.

2. Titane (2021)

Julia Ducournau's Titane is a genre-bending masterpiece that defies categorization. It's a body horror film, a trans allegory, and a twisted comedy all rolled into one. The story follows Alexia, a woman with a titanium plate in her head and a disturbing fascination with cars. After a series of violent events, she goes on the run and assumes the identity of a firefighter's long-lost son. Titane is a visually stunning and emotionally complex film that explores themes of identity, family, and the fluidity of the human body.

Most Gruesome Moment: In a scene that is both beautiful and grotesque, Alexia gives birth to a metal sphere. The moment is a testament to Ducournau's ability to blend horror and tenderness in unexpected ways.

3. Raw (2017)

Ducournau's debut feature, Raw, is a coming-of-age story with a cannibalistic twist. Justine, a vegetarian veterinary student, is forced to consume raw meat during a hazing ritual. This awakens a primal hunger within her, leading to a series of increasingly disturbing acts of cannibalism. Raw is a visceral exploration of bodily desires and the dark side of human nature.

Most Gruesome Moment: The sound of crunching bones and tearing flesh accompanies a scene where Justine devours a severed finger. The film's unflinching portrayal of cannibalism makes it a truly unsettling experience.

4. The Perfection (2018)

Allison Williams stars in this twisty thriller about a rivalry between two cellists. Charlotte, a former prodigy, seeks to reclaim her position in the music world by befriending Lizzie, the current star pupil of her former teacher. The Perfection is a film full of surprises, with a narrative that takes unexpected turns and keeps the audience guessing until the very end.

Most Gruesome Moment: A violent stabbing scene is depicted in graphic detail, leaving little to the imagination. The film's unflinching portrayal of violence adds to the overall sense of dread and unease.

5. Saw (2004)

The Saw franchise has become synonymous with "torture porn," a subgenre known for its elaborate and gruesome death traps. The original Saw introduced the world to Jigsaw, a sadistic killer who forces his victims to confront their sins through horrific trials. While the franchise has been criticized for its graphic violence, it has also been praised for its intricate plots and morally ambiguous characters.

Most Gruesome Moment: In one of the film's most memorable scenes, a woman with a "reverse bear trap" on her head is forced to cut open a man's stomach to retrieve the key that will save her life.

6. The Fear Street Trilogy

Based on the popular R.L. Stine books, the Fear Street trilogy offers a nostalgic blend of teen drama and slasher horror. The films follow a group of teenagers as they try to break an ancient curse that has plagued their town for centuries. While the trilogy is less graphic than some of the other entries on this list, it still features plenty of creative kills and suspenseful moments.

Most Gruesome Moment: A character meets a grisly end involving a bread slicer in a supermarket. The scene is a standout moment in the first film and a testament to the trilogy's ability to deliver shocking scares.

7. Hellraiser (1987)

Clive Barker's Hellraiser introduced audiences to the Cenobites, a group of sadomasochistic demons from another dimension. Summoned by a puzzle box, the Cenobites offer a unique blend of horror and eroticism. The film's disturbing imagery and unsettling atmosphere have made it a cult classic.

Most Gruesome Moment: In a scene that is both terrifying and strangely beautiful, a man's face is ripped apart by hooked chains. The Cenobites' methods of torture are as creative as they are disturbing.

8. Knife + Heart (2018)

Yann Gonzalez's Knife + Heart is a stylish and surreal slasher film set in the world of 1970s gay porn. When the actors of a production company are targeted by a mysterious killer, the filmmaker Anne must confront her own demons and uncover the truth behind the murders. Knife + Heart is a visually stunning and emotionally charged film that pays homage to the giallo genre while exploring themes of love, loss, and identity.

Most Gruesome Moment: The film features numerous stabbing scenes, each more creative than the last. One particularly memorable kill involves a character being stabbed in the rectum.

9. American Mary (2012)

The Soska Sisters' American Mary is a body horror film with a feminist twist. Mary Mason, a medical student struggling to make ends meet, is drawn into the world of underground body modification. As she becomes increasingly skilled in her craft, she also becomes more detached from reality. American Mary is a disturbing and thought-provoking film that explores themes of identity, self-harm, and the dark side of beauty.

Most Gruesome Moment: Mary performs a voluntary full-body genital reassignment surgery on herself. The scene is both graphic and empowering, showcasing Mary's agency over her own body.

10. Tusk (2014)

Kevin Smith's Tusk is a bizarre and darkly comedic horror film about a podcaster who is kidnapped and surgically transformed into a walrus. While the film's premise may sound absurd, Tusk is a surprisingly effective horror film with moments of genuine terror and unsettling body horror.

Most Gruesome Moment: The film's climax reveals the full extent of Wallace's transformation into a walrus-human hybrid. The creature's grotesque appearance and desperate cries for help are both disturbing and strangely pathetic.

These ten films represent a small sampling of the gruesome and disturbing world of queer horror. If you're a fan of the genre and have the stomach for it, we encourage you to seek out these and other films that push the boundaries of horror and explore the darkest corners of the human experience.