10 controversial films that stirred debate like Kids

Kids by Larry Clark was undoubtedly one of the most chaotic and controversial movies to come out of the ’90s. Believe it or not, the story was written by 19-year-old Harmony Korine. She steps back to put adolescence under critical scrutiny. The film deals with themes of addiction, s*x, and drugs. It doesn’t just scrutinize adolescence—it presents the rawest version of it.

Set in New York, the story revolves around Telly, a teen obsessed with s*x, who is tragically unaware that he’s spreading HIV. He often interacts with and is surrounded by restless, reckless youth, numbed by addiction and neglect.

The movie was shot in a handheld camera style, making each scene more hard-hitting and shocking as it unfolds. The film sparked controversy and widespread outrage for its depiction of underage s*x and substance abuse. Even though it was at the center of public backlash, it earned a few nominations, one of them at Cannes in 1995.

If you loved the controversial Kids, here are 10 more movies that stirred similar debates:

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10 controversial films that stirred debate like Kids

1. A Clockwork Orange (1971)

If you love cult movies, chances are you have already heard/read, or been told about this dystopian classic by Stanley Kubrick. Like Kids in 1995, A Clockwork Orange was also banned in several countries. The film traces the story of Alex, a sadistic teenager who likes ultraviolence and Beethoven.

The film explores themes of free will, state control, and moral responsibility with an insight into whether society is fit enough to use force and "fix" criminal behavior.

If you are up for watching another debate-stirring film, stream A Clockwork Orange on JioCinema or Amazon Prime (rental)

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2. Irreversible (2002)

Gaspar Noé’s French psychological thriller shocked the audience with its raw depiction of s*xual assault. What stirred debate and invoked discomfort in many viewers was the infamous 9-minute uncut r*pe scene and brutal violence. The entire scene and ordeal unfold in nonchronological order.

Of course, reactions varied between those who liked and those who did not, yet, in this film, you get a narrative that dares you to look away and challenge your understanding of cinematic morality.

You can access the movie via MUBI (in select regions), Apple TV

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3. Ken Park (2002)

This 2002 film was directed by Larry Clark, and its depiction is even wilder than compared of Kids. Like Kids, this movie centers around some dysfunctional teenagers living in California. It is raw, unadulterated, and bold in its exploration of themes. You get deeper scrutiny into the less talked about areas: real s*x acts, suicide, and parental abuse.

The movie, like A Clockwork Orange was banned across many countries.

The movie is not yet officially available on streaming (unofficial DVD/copies exist)

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4. The Brown Bunny (2003)

Vincent Gallo’s bleak road movie was screened at Cannes, but it soon rose to the center stage of debate when audiences were shocked to see a real (non-simulated) s*x scene between Gallo and Chloë Sevigny. The scenes sparked outrage and invited some ridicule. Like Kids, this movie is raw and wild to its bones and essence. It gives you a turbulent emotional experience that demands patience and sitting through the discomfort.

You can watch this on Apple TV, Prime Video (rental)

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5. Nymphomaniac Vol. I & II (2013–2014)

Lars von Trier’s two-part epic film centers around the self-diagnosed s*x addict. The movie tests your tolerance for graphic s*xual content, existential monologues, and psychological trauma. Like most of the movies in this list, Nymphomaniac was heavily censored in many countries.

Themes from sadomasochism to nihilism are dealt with through visible narrative disjunction in this movie, with unique storytelling and heavy narration. Charlotte Gainsbourg’s performance brought critical acclaim to this movie.

If you just watched Kids, you can watch this next on Prime Video or Apple TV

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6. The House That Jack Built (2018)

Again, an entry from Lars von Trier. This 2018 film traces the dark doings of a serial killer over 12 years. The film descends into brutal insanity as the killer over the span of 12 years, treats his killings as art. The film stirred debate due to the raw depiction of scenes involving children and animals.

Reportedly, many walked out of its screening at Cannes. If you were looking for some controversial narrative, this movie will deliver sadism, violence, and brutality all served raw.

If you loved watching Kids, try The House That Jack Built next, and access this from Prime Video, Apple TV

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7. Titane (2021)

Julia Ducournau's 2001 psychological, body horror film Titane is both bizarre and wild. The narrative features a woman named Alexia who has a fatal accident and later finds a titanium plate in her skull. Alexia later kills a man, and what happens from there on will shock you.

Underneath the bizarre surface lies a deep exploration of aspects like found family, bodily autonomy, and trauma. It’s a film that defies categorization, mixing Cronenbergian horror with emotional intimacy.

You can find this movie on MUBI.

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8. Spring Breakers (2012)

Another film by Harmony Korine, Spring Breakers is a neon-soaked fever dream that centers around Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens. This is a story full of guns, bikinis, drugs, and existential dread. The film earned mixed reviews, but James Franco’s unhinged performance was widely noticed.

The gold-toothed, gun-loving character of James Franco invokes a hypnotic, dreamlike descent. To sum up, this film will give you some classic MTV aesthetics with a dash of nihilism.

You can watch this on Apple TV, Prime Video

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9. Fat Girl (2001)

Catherine Breillat's controversial French film centers on two sisters. The narrative takes dark turns when one of them is coerced into s*x in a scene that made the audience feel discomfort. Like Kids, it does not shy away from portraying subjects like s*xuality in a raw, unadulterated way. Due to these aspects and more, Fat Girl came to emerge as one of the most debated films of the early 2000s.

This movie offers you a deeper look into how coercion and consent blur dangerously within adolescence.

You can watch this on Criterion Channel, Apple TV

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10. Gummo (1997)

Like Kids, this too is a wild and bold movie by Korine. However, the narrative of this film is more like a disjointed collage than a well-cooked tale. This movie depicts the life of teenagers in a tornado-stricken Ohio town through themes of depravity, poverty, and surreal vignettes. Critics were baffled, and it stirred debates amongst them.

You get a lot of glue-sniffing, animal killing, and just rogue teenagers doing rogue things.

If you loved Kids, you can stream Gummo on Apple TV, Amazon (DVD), and unofficial streams

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