Reddit User Names the Scariest Film They've Ever Watched (And It's Not a Horror Movie)

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"This might be the darkest film I've ever watched, even though it's not even in the horror category. It's just that heavy," writes Reddit user WrongdoerTurbulent85.

We're talking about the drama "Thirteen", a low-budget 2003 drama that marked the directorial debut of Catherine Hardwicke, who five years later became known as the director of the first "Twilight" film.
It's scary in its realism. There's nothing supernatural about it, no jump scares or anything like that. Just raw, twisted human behavior, especially from young girls trying to find their place.
WrongdoerTurbulent85 about the film "Thirteen"

What the film's about

Thirteen is the age of the main character Tracy ( ). An ordinary "good girl" who studies hard and listens to her mom falls under the influence of a popular classmate, Evie (Nikki Reed).

Evie is Tracy's complete opposite: bold, stylish, confident. She has trendy clothes, knows how to do makeup, and all the boys fall for her. Tracy can't resist her charm.
Young Evan Rachel Wood and Nikki Reed sitting on a bed, a scene from the film "Thirteen"
Evan Rachel Wood and Nikki Reed in the film "Thirteen"
Source: IMDb
After befriending Evie, Tracy changes dramatically. At first, everything seems pretty innocent: new clothes, makeup, trying to look older. But things spiral out of control fast. The girls start doing things they're way too young for, to put it mildly.

Tracy's mom (Holly Hunter) tries to understand what's happening to her daughter but feels completely helpless. She watches her sweet girl transform into someone she doesn't recognize and doesn't know how to stop it.
Thirteen (2003). Trailer
The film is shot with brutal realism – no "glossy" treatment, just raw emotions and life's harsh truths. The camera literally follows the girls, making viewers feel like they're peeking into their lives.

What viewers are saying

Comments agree with the original poster. Turns out many people watched "Thirteen" during their teenage years and had similar reactions. Some see their own experiences reflected in it:
The real horror was seeing my own teenage years reflected in this movie. I watched it in my early twenties and cried for my younger self. I didn't stand a chance. Thankfully, life didn't beat me. I consider myself lucky. I'm 40 now, happily married, a mom, have my dream job... and a lot of trauma to discuss with my therapist.
Reddit user cheesesmysavior
Others, on the flip side, don't see any parallels to their own childhood and are sadly surprised that for many girls, this was just normal:
I grew up so sheltered that I didn't even know this was possible. I thought it was too dramatic of a movie, but as I got older I heard from other women that it was so similar to what they went through too. It breaks my heart to realize that it really is an accurate portrayal and seemingly for many girls, this was their reality.
Reddit user mkrom28
User saidsara reminds us that the film was based on actress Nikki Reed's story. While Reed played Evie in "Thirteen," in real life she "was Tracy."

What's more, Catherine Hardwicke co-wrote the screenplay with Nikki Reed. Hardwicke was dating Reed's father when she was 12-13 years old, so she witnessed some of the scenes that would end up in her directorial debut firsthand.

Zoomboola.com recommends that anyone interested in this subject also check out director Larry Clark's 1995 film "Kids" and his 2002 "Ken Park."