7 Repulsive Horror Film Practical Effects That Chill Us To The Core

Nothing quite curdles the blood like devilishly gnarly practical effects in horror films. Sure, CGI may have unsettling moments under the spotlight, but the visceral, gut-wrenching nature of physical props often outshines the more artificially crafted scares.

Over the years, we've seen some spectacular examples of practical effects in horror - some so repulsively gratuitous and offensive to the senses, they require, at the very least, a sick bucket on stand by and an impeccably strong stomach.

(And, of course, a sadistically appreciative round of applause for creativity)

So it brings me immense delight to present to you horror's most memorable practical effects, in all their stomach-churning, gore-infested glory.

Hellraiser Franks Resurrection

(1987) screenshot taken from a copyrighted film, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by the studio which produced the film, and possibly also by any actors present in the screenshot | Rationale for Fair Dealing: ImDRAFTJS_BLOCK_KEY:5hmh8age Used Only for review/critique purposes To demonstrate specific practical effects (Frank's Ressurection) | Cropped & Reduced Resolution

On reflection, Clive Barker's grotesquely gut-wrenching rendition of practical effects on display in Frank's notoriously gruesome resurrection sequence is so demonically disturbing that it deserves a thorough dissection in itself.

Bone by bone, we witness the lurid, anatomical assemblage of uncensored gore, as slime-smothered marrow, slushy internal organs, and strands of lubricated flesh fuse together in repulsively horrific fashion.

Next time, I would perhaps think twice about hiding your sadomasochistic boyfriend in the attic, Julia Cotton.

Scanners Exploding Head Sequence

The Scanners (1981) screenshot taken from a copyrighted film, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by the studio which produced the film, and possibly also by any actors present in the screenshot | Rationale for Fair Dealing: Image used only for review/critique purposes to demonstrate specific practical effects (Exploding Head Sequence) | Cropped & Reduced Resolution

Over time, the infamously graphic exploding head sequence in David Cronenberg's psychologically scaring sci-fi hit, Scanners, may have been the subject of many comical memes.

Still, there's no denying its guttural impact as one of horror's most shockingly visceral instances of practical effects.

In the scene, Cronenberg ratchets up the tension to nauseating heights before unleashing on the viewer a cranial, eye-popping explosion of unfiltered brain matter.

Enlisting the services of special effects supervisor Gay Zeller, alongside the creative make-up talents of Stephan Dupois, the disturbing scene would involve an impressively life-like head being blown to bloody smithereens (quite literally) with a shotgun at close proximity.

To our horror, the distinct popping sound of erupting bone followed instantly by vile streams of projectile blood and brain tissue would conjure one of the most memorable sequences in horror history.

(If nothing else, it certainly brings a whole new meaning to the term, mind-blowing)

The Fly Transformation Scene

The Fly (1986) screenshot taken from a copyrighted film, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by the studio which produced the film, and possibly also by any actors present in the screenshot | Rationale for Fair Dealing: Image Used Only for review/critique purposes to Demonstrate specific practical effects scene (Fly Transformation) | Cropped & Reduced Resolution

Now from one classic Cronenberg scene to the next. Many of us fondly remember Jeff Goldblum's iconically charismatic stint as the wacky goofball scientist shielding a profound discovery of teleportation.

But what haunts our minds most vividly is the hideously repulsive nature of Jeff's ultimate half-fly half-human hybrid.

In its final metamorphosis, the slimy, protrusion-packing, puss-soaked malformity would be so visually grotesque in nature that its inspired creation would award special effects gurus Stephan Dupius and Chris Walas with an oscar.

Shucks! The only thing we were awarded after The Fly was hellraising nightmares of malevolent magnitude.

The Thing Cardiac Arrest Scene

The Thing (1982) screenshot taken from a copyrighted film, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by the studio which produced the film, and possibly also by any actors present in the screenshot | Rationale for Fair Dealing: Image Used Only for review/critique purposes To Demonstrate Cardiac Arrest Scene | Cropped & Reduced Resolution

When it comes to unexpected jumps scares, none incite a shuddering grimace, quite like the notorious defibrillator scene in John Carpenter's The Thing.

What starts as a seemingly routine autopsy soon descends deep into poor Norris' chest as a gaping cavity complete with a slimy set of gizzards is shockingly exposed. All this, following the cringe-summoning crack of snapping bone.

Inside lurks a teeth-bearing defense mechanism hellbent on sinking its razor-sharp jaws into Dr. Copper's fleshy forearm.

As acid-drenched tentacles leap from Norris' organically mutated chest, his head separates from the body in a nerve-shredding display of practical effects.

Being such a spine-chilling scene, it's such a shame that Rob Bottin's painstaking prosthetics came at the cost of his hospitalization and physical exhaustion upon filming.

The hollow crack of the chest cavity still gets me today.

Alien Chestburster Scene

How do you possibly depict an alien splitting someone open while bursting from the stomach? Well, according to Ridley Scott, the key ingredients concern a cleverly crafted contraption stuffed with shreds of meat from the local butchers and a willing volunteer in John Hurt.

Primed and ready to explode, the stage was set for a historically iconic sequence. As fountains of blood smear across Cartwright's panic-stricken expression, whose harrowing cries of palpable fright were reportedly natural, our worst fears become a reality as the inexplicable creature ruthlessly bounds from Hurt's chest.

The heart-pounding results will forever scar us, reflecting inspired masterstrokes in set design, practical effects, and deceptively cunning camera work by way of visual trickery.

An American Werewolf In London Transformation Scene

An American Werewolf in London (1982) screenshot taken from a copyrighted film, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by the studio which produced the film, and possibly also by any actors present in the screenshot | Rationale for Fair Dealing: Image Used Only for review/critique purposes To Demonstrate specific practical effects scene/Werewolf Transformation | Cropped & Reduced Resolution

Few scenes in horror history can match the sickening scales of sheer brutality and emotional agony on show in John Landis' bone-breaking transformation sequence.

In no uncertain terms, it is an intentionally torturous, excruciatingly visceral step-by-step depiction of graphic disfigurement, whose gut-wrenching realism landed special effects legend Rick Baker a historic Academy Award for Hairstyling and Make-up.

Against their will, the viewer is forcefully subjected to a harrowing metamorphosis, showcasing the despicably brutal, marrow-churning transition from human to wolf.

In using a unique elastomer in place of typical foam latex, the effects team could disturbingly distort the limbs in life-like ways, thus, authentically mimicking the characteristics of bone and sinew.

The scene itself couldn't shine without the harmonious synthesis of creative prosthetics and powerful acting. These aspects combined create perhaps the most impactful practical effects in cinema history.

CGI could only pale in comparison to this utterly breath-sapping sequence!

Nightmare on Elm street | Johnny Depp Death Scene

Nightmare On Elm Street (1984) screenshot taken from a copyrighted film, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by the studio which produced the film, and possibly also by any actors present in the screenshot | Rationale for Fair Dealing: Image Used Only for review/critique purposes To Demonstrate specific practical effects scene/Johnny Depp Death Scene | Cropped & Reduced Resolution

Practical effects always arouse the senses to some degree, but those that seemingly defy gravity and our pre-established concepts never fail to catch the eye.

Retrospectively, young Johnny Depps' unforgettable death scene is not memorable purely for actor notoriety, but rather, its stark ability to portray the impossible. Wez Craven's infamously blood-soaked scene sees a young Johnny Depp in bed suddenly swallowed whole and absorbed into the demonic clutches of Freddy Kruger.

To conjure this incredible effect, Craven and Co assembled a rotating bedroom, which, when in operation, would convey the unsettling illusion of upward-splurting blood spreading across the ceiling.

The result is a gruesome geyser effect, creating an unforgettable horror sequence that lingers long in the memory.

That's our list of hellishly horrific practical effects, be sure to post yours in the comments!