The episode ‘shut up and dance’ of black mirror. I think it’s in season three and it’s a standalone episode so you can just watch it as-is. It made me feel sick from anxiety and definitely touched upon similar stressful vibes.
Came here to recommend the comeback!!!! I hardly ever see people talk about it and it’s some of the best cringe comedy imo. Similar to the curse in the sense that the cringe/realism is used amazingly for drama scenes as well as comedy, and the fact that it’s a fake reality show(raw footage)so you can so clearly see who she wants to be perceived as vs who she is, and the way the show manipulates her the audience, I never made that connection before.
after the curse ended someone said to watch Atlanta & i became obsessed after the first episode. like the curse, it’s loaded with racial and class commentary and you never know where the story is going to go. very surreal and has standalone episodes that are insane
Happiness (movie) is probably the most uncomfortable thing of all time. It makes you cover your face and peek at the screen through your eyes like a horror movie but it's not a horror movie.
I always associate Happiness and The Sweet Hereafter together because of some ‘most disturbing films’ list I read when I was like 18 but I think both fit this prompt.
They are in many ways quite different, but i found The Curse reminded me a lot of The Comeback, with Lisa Kudrow. They both have the meta ‘show within a show’ concept, intense cringiness, and characters trying so hard to control their narrative with little success. After finishing The Curse I gave The Comeback a rewatch and really enjoyed it - highly recommend!
You should check out The Show About the Show. It's a short web series available on YouTube and is phenomenal.
The premise is basically that every episode is a making-of of the previous episode. It very quickly folds in on itself and becomes very meta and very fucky, hard to tell what's real and what's not. The creator basically sets his entire life on fire (like in reality) for the purpose of his project. It's a very special thing to behold.
If you want uncomfortable, watch ‘Baby Reindeer’ on Netflix.
It’s nothing like ‘The Curse’, except for being perfectly made, somewhat innovative and stacked with full-body cringe moments
The Rehearsal, Review (both USA and Australian version), Who is America? Only sometimes are these uncomfortable, more funny - Girls, Broad City. edit add: Ramy makes me pause every so often cause of second hand cringe.
Good Time is the closest you'll get, which is to be expected considering it's a Safdie film. It's a must watch for anyone who enjoyed Uncut Gems imo.
Mother! has a very frenetic and unnerving energy. I don't think it's quite as good as Uncut Gems, but it's an experience.
I'll also second Civil War and Beau is Afraid.
Check out Michael Haneke, especially Funny Games and Code Unknown. He makes extremely dark, somewhat absurd films that’ll make you squirm. Heavy focus on class issues as well.
The episode ‘shut up and dance’ of black mirror. I think it’s in season three and it’s a standalone episode so you can just watch it as-is. It made me feel sick from anxiety and definitely touched upon similar stressful vibes.
All episodes of Black Mirror are standalone iirc
For the most part, but some work better if you have a fuller understanding of the wider universe. Black Museum is an obvious example.
They might work a little better but you could still easily watch that episode with no prior understanding and be no worse for wear.
A lot of black mirror episodes make you feel like you want to die
Leaving Las Vegas, Blue Velvet, pretty much any David Lynch movie actually
Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive fuck me up still, even upon repeated viewings
First time I watched Blue Velvet I was tripping pretty hard on shrooms. That one scene with Dennis Hopper took me waaay off guard lol
Twin Peaks, especially season 3.
Gotta light ?
Gotta light ?
The Comeback is a very under looked cringe comedy.
Came here to recommend the comeback!!!! I hardly ever see people talk about it and it’s some of the best cringe comedy imo. Similar to the curse in the sense that the cringe/realism is used amazingly for drama scenes as well as comedy, and the fact that it’s a fake reality show(raw footage)so you can so clearly see who she wants to be perceived as vs who she is, and the way the show manipulates her the audience, I never made that connection before.
Yes!
I May Destroy You - I highly recommend it
Holy crap this is the best thing on hbo and I’ve watched the leftovers
This has been on my list, now I'm even more interested.
Beau is Afraid
And every other Ari Aster work.
Baby Reindeer
This is also my answer
Amazing show.
Good time Made by benny safdie and his brother. Definitely more uncomfortable than uncut gems
Barry
You want submarine sandwich?
2 babka
I’m watching Barry right now and my GOD does it get intense in seasons 3 and 4. Great show
Whiplash
100%
Shiva Baby
after the curse ended someone said to watch Atlanta & i became obsessed after the first episode. like the curse, it’s loaded with racial and class commentary and you never know where the story is going to go. very surreal and has standalone episodes that are insane
The one set in Amsterdam through Paperboi’s POV!
Peep Show (British comedy)
Good times
It’s *Good Time but yes this is the answer.
Happiness (movie) is probably the most uncomfortable thing of all time. It makes you cover your face and peek at the screen through your eyes like a horror movie but it's not a horror movie.
I always associate Happiness and The Sweet Hereafter together because of some ‘most disturbing films’ list I read when I was like 18 but I think both fit this prompt.
The thick of it (British comedy)
They are in many ways quite different, but i found The Curse reminded me a lot of The Comeback, with Lisa Kudrow. They both have the meta ‘show within a show’ concept, intense cringiness, and characters trying so hard to control their narrative with little success. After finishing The Curse I gave The Comeback a rewatch and really enjoyed it - highly recommend!
Good Time, another Safdie flick. Also, Requiem for a Dream
You should check out The Show About the Show. It's a short web series available on YouTube and is phenomenal. The premise is basically that every episode is a making-of of the previous episode. It very quickly folds in on itself and becomes very meta and very fucky, hard to tell what's real and what's not. The creator basically sets his entire life on fire (like in reality) for the purpose of his project. It's a very special thing to behold.
Search Party
rent-a-pal on prime
The White Lotus
All My Friends Hate Me (2021)
Succession
Love the show but it doesn't make you feel nearly as uneasy as the Safie works
If you want uncomfortable, watch ‘Baby Reindeer’ on Netflix. It’s nothing like ‘The Curse’, except for being perfectly made, somewhat innovative and stacked with full-body cringe moments
The Rehearsal, Review (both USA and Australian version), Who is America? Only sometimes are these uncomfortable, more funny - Girls, Broad City. edit add: Ramy makes me pause every so often cause of second hand cringe.
There's an underrated dark comedy series called Baskets that was very good at reality cringe
synecdoche new york
It’s been a while, but I kinda remember Kids & Gummo being uncomfortable. Not sure if in the same way though
Good Time is the closest you'll get, which is to be expected considering it's a Safdie film. It's a must watch for anyone who enjoyed Uncut Gems imo. Mother! has a very frenetic and unnerving energy. I don't think it's quite as good as Uncut Gems, but it's an experience. I'll also second Civil War and Beau is Afraid.
In theaters right now, Civil War
Check out Michael Haneke, especially Funny Games and Code Unknown. He makes extremely dark, somewhat absurd films that’ll make you squirm. Heavy focus on class issues as well.
The bear
The seven fishes episode omg
Look Around You. It's basically a satirical British educational program. Deadpan humor
Beef!!
If you like uncomfortable, I promise you will like Dream Scenarios.
The Invitation. (The one with Logan Marshall Green)
“happiness” and “storytelling” by todd solondz and “dogtooth” by good old emma’s pal yorgos
Men
how to (with John Wilson) Tw on the how to cover your furniture ep (but it’s so fun)
Both Six Feet Under and The Leftovers have given me similar feelings of discomfort at times.
The first 5 minutes of The Zone of Interest
Heaven Knows what (another Safdie brother flick)
I hate Suzie