We asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us the most disturbing movie and TV moments of all time, and unfortunately, there were too many to choose from. So, here are some of the most horrific entertainment moments that did NOT age well:
Note: Some submissions were pulled from this Reddit thread by user u/Chance_in_Pants.
Warning: This post contains mention of sexual harassment, eating disorders, transgender hate, and rape. Please proceed with caution.
1. Horrible Bosses (2011):
"Charlie Day's character is constantly sexually harassed and assaulted by his dentist boss, played by Jennifer Aniston. She threatens to tell his fiancée they had sex, using photos she took of her 'simulating sex' with him while he was under anesthesia."
"The movie flips between joking about his situation and portraying it as a sincere issue, but the ending culminates in him getting definitive proof of her harassing/blackmailing him. It's an empowering scene for victims of sexual harassment and assault, but then they ruined it in Horrible Bosses 2.
In the sequel, Day's character is shot and unconscious in the hospital, whereupon Aniston's character rapes him and tells him when he wakes up. Oh, but it's 'all okay now' because she got what she wanted, so she's no longer interested in him anymore — he's 'safe' from her advances now."
2. I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007):
"They allowed Adam Sandler or Kevin James' character (can't remember which) in a fitting room with the woman he has feelings for. He gets to 'ogle her' because she's under the impression he's gay, and therefore trusted not to sexualize the experience. Yikes!"
"'It's a funny movie because they're gay, right?!'"
3. Pretty Baby (1978):
"Like, WTF — how is Pretty Baby not child pornography? According to the synopsis of the movie, Brooke Shields' character is groomed into being a sex worker. So, I assume the nudity is depicted in a sexual nature as well, which is so messed up [for a preteen actor]."
4. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996):
"I've been rewatching The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and I noticed that Will is a high school sophomore going on dates with grown women — and [Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv don't] say anything!"
5. Glee (2009–2015):
"The entire episode of Glee where Marley faints on stage due to her battle with bulimia. The episode revolves around her 'redeeming herself' by finding them a new practice space and 'apologizing' to Finn about it all. 'I was naïve and insecure and self-centered' — WTF??? Girl, you are battling an eating disorder — apologizes aren't needed. Instead of Finn saying something along the lines of: 'Let's get you the help you need,' his response is basically: 'Apology accepted' and they dance to Crowded House. I need a drink."
6. Peter Pan (1953):
"My most horrible moment as a teacher was when I was teaching kindergarten on the Diné Nation. We had a movie afternoon and watched Peter Pan (1953) together. I hadn’t seen it since I was probably six years old and never liked it, so I didn’t really remember much about the plot. One of my young students turned to me during the horribly racist 'What Made the Red Man Red?' song and said: 'Oh, those are the Navajos — right, teacher?' I realized she was trying to identify her culture with what she was seeing, and it made me sick. I refused to show the movie in school ever again. We did an entire unit after that where we read stories written by actual indigenous authors, and read texts that depicted indigenous peoples and ideologies with respect."
7. Mystic Pizza (1988):
"In Mystic Pizza, when Kat and Tim (who is the father of the child she babysits, and is not only OLD but also MARRIED) start getting 'frisky' with each other. That entire plot line is so incredibly uncomfortable to watch, and honestly, the movie would’ve been better without it."
8. The IT Crowd (2006–2013):
"The subplot with Douglas and April in 'The Speech' episode is horribly anti-trans. There’s no payoff that makes this worth it (not that it’s in-character for him to 'accept' this, but still)."
9. Empire Records (1995):
"Empire Records was so hot when it came out, but now...OMG. Rex Manning is gross, and not in a dastardly antagonist way — he's legitimately predatory. I don't think they handled it well."
10. Manhattan (1979):
"Woody Allen boasting about his girlfriend being in high school [in Manhattan] hits a little too close to reality. Eek."
"I was rewatching it a while back (after everything was out in the open), and it was all impossible to ignore. It was just...oh my god. Like, no...just no. I haven't watched an Allen film since. Annie Hall used to rank in my top favorites, but it's tainted now."
11. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005):
"For sure The 40-Year-Old Virgin, particularly the scene where they give Steve Carell's character advice to pursue the drunkest women at the bar. They used a lion hunting injured prey as the analogy — it was very rape-y."
12. The L Word (2004-2009):
They totally mishandled Max's transgender storyline on The L Word, and dismissed the transitioning experience. Even though actor Daniel Sea recently revealed to IndieWire how The L Word: Generation Q tried to repair Max's original storyline, it's still pretty awful and did not age well.
—BuzzFeed
13. Superbad (2007):
"Don’t get me wrong, the comedy in Superbad is still absolutely hilarious. But the overall plot of trying to get girls drunk to sleep with them looks worse and worse — especially after the #MeToo Movement."
14. The Way We Were (1973):
The fact that Katie is trying to "seduce" an unconscious Hubbell is very, very problematic. She gets upset toward the end of their sex scene because he "didn't realize" it was her (but, like...you "persuaded" an unconscious man to have sex with you?! Are we really supposed to feel bad for you in this moment?). This moment certainly didn't age well.
—BuzzFeed
15. And Police Academy (1984):
"Police Academy — [Cadet Carey] Mahoney making fun of a guy with a toupee, so many racist recruits, the leather bar scene, the guy with five girlfriends who just needed a woman to top him and get him in line, [and the ending featuring a young Kim Cattrall]. I probably forgot some — that movie would never get made today."
Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE, which routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search for your local center here.
The National Eating Disorders Association helpline is 1-800-931-2237; for 24/7 crisis support, text “NEDA” to 741741.