Scrolling through a list of the most shocking or disturbing films of all time, like this one from Complex, there aren't too many surprises. Outside a few exceptions, most of the films are intense dramas (Requiem for a Dream), torture porn (Hostel), J-horror (most of Takashi Miike's filmography), or good old-fashioned exploitation flicks (Cannibal Holocaust). One of those outliers, and the highest-ranking aberration on this list, is John Waters' 1972 film, Pink Flamingos. It's the oldest film in the top ten of Complex's list, but that's not what makes it stand out. What's truly notable about Pink Flamingos, in this case, is that it's a comedy, not a horror film like most of the list.
Why John Water's Pink Flamingos Is Still Considered Shocking in 2022
Despite coming out in 1972, John Water's masterpiece, Pink Flamingos, is as challenging and shocking as any modern film. Here's why.