The Value Of Graphic & Gruesome Imagery In Movies

So, what’s the value of graphic, gruesome imagery in narrative film?

(NOTE: This video contains spoilers - a full list of films mentioned are listed below).

What I’m talking about here isn’t necessarily shocking imagery – as that can include totally benign onscreen content that shocks us as an audience because of it’s context.

More specifically I’m talking about onscreen violence or sex and the onscreen aftermath those things.
Films Mentioned:

Le Coucher de la Mariée (1896), A Trip To The Moon (1902), The Great Train Robbery (1903), The Birth Of A Nation (1915), Un Chien Andalou (1929), Murders In The Rue Morgue (1932), Island Of Lost Souls (1932), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Salo (1975), Cannibal Holocaust (1980), The Meaning Of Life (1983), Come And See (1985), The Fly (1986), Robocop (1987), Total Recall (1990), Reservoir Dogs (1992), Darcula: Dead And Loving It (1995), Scream (1996), Saving Private Ryan (1998), American Psycho (2000), Dawn Of The Dead (2004), Saw 2 (2005), Feed (2005), Saw 6 (2009), A Serbian Film (2010), Saw 7 / Saw 3D (2011), Drive (2011), The Human Centipede 2 (2011), Final Destination 5 (2011), Hobo With A Shotgun (2011), Blue Ruin (2013).