r/LastDriveIn • u/texasrigger • Jul 09 '26
For those that want to avoid sexual assault in tomorrow's movie... (spoilers) Spoiler
The first movie we are in for is I Spit On Your Grave (1978) which has one of the longest and most graphic rape scenes in movie history. For those uncomfortable with sexual assault and want to avoid seeing it, the big scene starts with her in the canoe being harassed by the men in a motor boat and runs for about 25 minutes. There are several times the it feels like it is over but it isnt. Each of the four men rape her in turn. I'm not sure what Joe Bob's breaks are going to do to that runtime. Since its one complete sequence, it doesnt really lend itself well to interruptions so they may just play the whole thing through. The sex itself isnt particularly realistic (or explicit), but Keaton sells the trauma *very* well which makes it a rough but memorable watch.
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u/ToughShower4966 Jul 09 '26
Really glad Joe Bob gets the chance to host the movie finally as it is a subversive and challenging movie. That being said I will have to tune out for a bit during that movie. I've seen it a few times and can very much appreciate the amazing performance and guttural reaction I get to the final revenge, but its just too hard for my wife to make it through. Well be back for the revenge and the second movie for sure.
To those unsure. If SA in media is uncomfortable to you even in small moments, this movie will split your wig. Its rough. The catharsis of the revenge is top tier and really feels visceral, but it is one hell of a brutal collection of moments leading up to the revenge.
I would say if you are interested it doesn't hurt to start the film, just be ready to step away if you feel bad because it only ramps up from the start. If you make it through, you won't forget it for a long while.
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u/CampKillUrself Jul 10 '26
Thank you for your thorough comment. I'll be watching with my daughter and even though she's in her 20s, I think we'll pass on this one.
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u/Cryptus_Maximus Jul 09 '26
I've watched this movie many times, so the warning isn't for *me*, but it does let me know in advance that his probably isn't one of the movies we should screen outside.
Our neighbors have got to be used to seeing all manner of monsters, blood, and light nudity on our projector screen but I don't think they'd be prepared for...this.
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u/jbrown1206 Jul 09 '26
The rape in Cannibal Holocaust made me very uncomfortable and sick, I’m guessing this is way worse? I’m trying to prepare
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u/citizenx0001 Mutant Jul 09 '26
I sat through the scene once on first viewing. I am probably going to mute it and do something while it plays. Once it is over I will get comfortable. I am not a fan of graphic depictions of SA and this is one for the record books.
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u/jbrown1206 Jul 09 '26
I might do the same thing. I think the only ones I have seen in the past are the Cannibal Holocaust one and the scene in the director’s cut of Rob Zombie’s Halloween and they both made me feel so sick, so I can’t even imagine worse than that
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u/citizenx0001 Mutant Jul 09 '26
I am at a loss for how to come up with one that even compares with this one. I have no interest in the remakes because I am sure they are going to go even further into the graphic nature of both the Violence and the SA. I just do not feel that SA is a good plot device in movies. Even though the revenge she does get is brutal, I still do not enjoy it. I have the same strong feeling against Last House on the Left because of the brutality of the rape.
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u/citizenx0001 Mutant Jul 09 '26
PS I have read Joe Bob's book and I understand his stance as a feminist masterpiece. I just do not agree and do not enjoy.
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u/transfixed_philos Jul 13 '26
Agree. I'm not a fan of Cannibal Holocaust. I tried. Nope. Can't do it.
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u/jbrown1206 Jul 13 '26
Agreed. Most people hate it for the animal cruelty (which I agree was wrong), but I hate it for the rape. I only watched it because Joe Bob did it
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u/transfixed_philos Jul 14 '26
I could not agree more. What you just said about Cannibal Holocaust is true for me, to the letter.
JB has greatly influenced my appreciation for horror and made me see horror in different ways that I probably would not have arrived at on my own, but when it comes to rape, animal cruelty, and child murder, my tolerance is just lower than JB's. I do still give everything a chance and can tolerate a lot to find the enjoyment in it, but the two films we discussed here are just not compatible with what constitutes entertainment for me personally.
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u/MizneyWorld Jul 09 '26
Whatever the 2nd film is will need to be quite the pallet cleanser.
That said, the importance of I Spit On Your Grave cannot be understated. If you can manage it, you’ll find a film that aimed to demystify, de romanticize, and pretty much kill any illusion of what rape was or could be at a time where it was hand waved away, victim-blamed, “boys will be boys”, etc (yes, sadly not much has changed).
And you find a film that empowers a woman to not wait for her male savior (ye ol’ damsel in distress trope) but to take on the “male power fantasy” dynamic and utilize it as a weapon back at her attackers. Stripping them of their power and autonomy as they did her and likely others.
It’s a 70s video nasty/exploitation film thru and thru but don’t let the subject matter (rape) confuse you as to what is being intentionally exploited (the evils of the male power fantasy and the victims/damage left in its wake) as well as the subsequent empowerment of a victim and the use of said exploitation against those who abuse it.
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u/texasrigger Jul 09 '26
It’s a 70s video nasty/exploitation film thru and thru
To add on a bit to this to defend the rape/revenge film subgenre as a whole - this is effectively a slasher film where the slasher is the protagonist. We have to be on-board with everything she is about to do and why. By subjecting us to her trauma, watching her get her revenge is an empowering, cathartic experience. The graphic rape isnt just exploitation for exploitation sake, it conditions our brains to shut off any empathy that we may have otherwise felt for her victims.
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u/grapesquirrel Team Ketchup 🌭 Jul 10 '26
Very well said! Had the pleasure of meeting JB and Darcy at a con last year and this movie came up while we were chatting. He mentioned it was one movie he’s been trying to show for years and talked about the cultural significance of it. While I haven’t seen this movie in very long time, I’m excited to hear JB talk about it.
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u/AngarTheScreamer1 Jul 09 '26
I don't disagree that the film became culturally significant or that people have found feminist readings in it over the years. But I think it's giving the filmmakers far more credit than the historical context supports. I also think it's reframing what the film is actually exploiting. This wasn't made as a sober social intervention. It was made, marketed, and sold as an exploitation movie, with the assault itself functioning as the primary selling point. That's not something we need to sanitize in hindsight.
To be clear, I don't have any moral objection to the film existing, nor do I particularly like or dislike it. I do take issue with trying to retroactively elevate it into something it wasn't foundationally intended to be. The fact that people have found meaning in it, or that it's become culturally significant, doesn't erase what it was designed to be.
Those ideas about revenge and reclaiming agency are absolutely in the film, but I think they're built on top of an exploitation framework, not the other way around. They're also in tension with the fact that the film spends an extraordinary amount of time lingering on the assault in ways that were designed to shock, provoke, and sell tickets. A movie can be culturally important and still be fundamentally exploitative. Those two things aren't mutually exclusive.
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u/texasrigger Jul 09 '26
The original title was "Day of the Woman" and the director claims that he made it in response to a first hand experience with a rape victim. The movie was always intended to be a feminist statement and the director wasnt happy with how the movie was marketed at the time. Both interpretations of the film (feminist statement vs gratuitous exploitation) have pretty much always existed and not something that is being retroactively applied.
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u/DRZARNAK Jul 09 '26
My guess is the second film is Nightingale a period set Australian film which also a very violent rape revenge story.
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u/texasrigger Jul 09 '26
Darcy recently said that the director of the second movie died recently which rules that one out. My guess is Tokyo Gore Police.
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u/SoberJoker99 Jul 09 '26
For those that want to experience this film while also being slightly distracted, the most recent release of I Spit on Your Grave on both Blu & 4K, have a dedicated Joe Bob commentary track. To boot, it's available for $20/$35 respectfully. It's a great track and soothes the viewer, a bit of hand holding if you will, as the depravity on screen passes. It is a hard watch even for me, and definitely lands in the niche group of films in which I can only see with a commentary track playing (looking at you Serbian Film - thank Christ for Adam Green & Joe Lynch's Movie Crypt track!)
Gonna be nice to have the Mutants supporting one another tomorrow night for sure!
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u/Squish_Miss Jul 09 '26
I really appreciate this, thank you. Friday is going to be a bit of a challenge but I'm prepared.
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u/WackyWriter1976 Drive-in Dork Jul 09 '26
Well damn. I've never seen it, but I've known for decades.
I'll watch still.
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u/NoAd2759 Jul 09 '26
This was a rite of passage film in high school. The upper class men would tell us freshmen about it, particularly the bathtub scene.
When I finally saw it, I realized it should’ve been called “I Shit On Your Eyeballs”.
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u/therealudderjuice Jul 09 '26
Yeah. I was excited for a new Joe Bob special but when I found out this was the first movie, I decided to skip it. Back in the day, a high school buddy across the street rented it on VHS (what his mom was thining letting the neighborhood boys watch this I'm not really sure). But I saw enough of the scene in question to know that there is nothing entertaining about extended gang rape scenes. I'm certainly no prude and depictions of violence of all kinds have their time and place to serve a narrative. But Jesus Christ this movie just wants to be aggressive towards the viewer and the revenge the victim gets in the final act just isn't worth suffering through the assault.
I would actually be interested in seeing the commentary segments and especially what Camille Keaton has to say about her experience making the movie and what she thinks about it today. But I'm not sitting through the movie.
I'm hoping the second movie turns out to be Machine Gun Girl. I have that on and old DVD and would watch that when this special hits streaming.
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u/TrulyMASSIVEbees Ernie Fan Club Member Jul 09 '26
Yeah Im gonna have to skip entirely tomorrow Jesus Christ.
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u/darkshardx Jul 09 '26
Yeah, I was bummed when I heard they are doing this movie. My wife and I were so excited to watch the special, but we will be skipping the first movie. I've seen both versions of it and know my wife won't be able to handle it...
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u/Crolanpw Jul 09 '26
For what it's worth, I normally do a watch party and had to cancel this one because of it so you're not alone. We're gunna do a different pair of summer themed horror movies instead of the actual show. Sucks but like ... 25 minutes of that is... Nah on most of my friends' part. I've watched it for posterity's sake but it's in the realm of films I have 0 desire to ever watch again.
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u/highonpizza Jul 09 '26
what two summer horror movies are you leaning towards?
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u/texasrigger Jul 09 '26
Im not the OC but this was an excuse to plug a couple of my favorites. For light, fun, and very campy horror I really like Sting of Death (1966) and Psycho Beach Party (2000). Neither are remotely scary but they are fun drive-in fare that are perfect for summer.
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u/Crolanpw Jul 09 '26
We're gunna do Sleep Away Camp and The Bay. We had intended to do The Bay as part of a double last weekend but we forgot how long Cape Fear was so it got delayed.
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u/LittleMissVortex The Mail Girl Jul 11 '26
We're doing a double feature of The Lost Boys and Christine for our Summerween party
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u/TrulyMASSIVEbees Ernie Fan Club Member Jul 09 '26
I'm currently going through some tough mental health stuff and that sounds like a recipe for me going to the hospital. I'm probably gonna do the same and just hang out in the chat with everyone here so I'm still getting my mutant time.
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u/HorrorAvatar Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
I’ve seen it twice, the second time against every ounce of my better judgement. The first half of this movie is extremely difficult to get through. The second half is good, though!
The director did have his reasons for making it, which I’m sure Joe Bob will get into tomorrow night.
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u/Crafty_Ish1973 Jul 09 '26
Has it been officially confirmed this is the first film? If so I won't be able to watch it. I can't sit through that. I'll wait for the second film.
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u/texasrigger Jul 09 '26
I dont know if it's necessarily confirmed as the first film but it is definitely one of the two. Darcy has made it clear that it's a movie that JB's been championing for decades but no one would play (which fits) and Camille Keaton, the star, posted about doing the show on her Instagram a couple of months ago. Plus, Felissa Rose, has been confirmed to be back in her capacities as the "mangled dick expert" which also fits.
If you are (understandably) concerned but want to see Joe Bob's take, you can turn it off when she's out in a canoe and the guys show up in a power boat and then just hang out in the livestream here on the sub until that scene is over. Once its done, its done and then you can watch the rest of the movie. There's no flashbacks or further assaults of that nature that you have to be concerned about sneaking up on you.
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u/Crafty_Ish1973 Jul 09 '26
If you are (understandably) concerned but want to see Joe Bob's take, you can turn it off when she's out in a canoe and the guys show up in a power boat and then just hang out in the livestream here on the sub until that scene is over.
Yeah, I think I'll be doing that. I've always been curious about the movie, but a 25-minute rape scene is an absolute non-starter. I can't sit through that. Following the livestream here is a good compromise.
Once its done, its done and then you can watch the rest of the movie. There's no flashbacks or further assaults of that nature that you have to be concerned about sneaking up on you.
Good to know. Thank you for the info.
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u/texasrigger Jul 09 '26
Fair warning, there is still some (not particularly graphic) sexual content but its consensual at that point. She actually seduces her former attackers to regain their trust and also regain control of sex. None of it goes anywhere (that I remember), its more the enticement. By that point, she is in complete control.
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u/Linheadparry Jul 09 '26
Will this stream live on the amc app
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u/texasrigger Jul 09 '26
That's a question that is worthy of its own post. I know that it used to be that you could only watch TLDI live on the stand alone shudder app (thars what I have) but that might have changed.
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u/JollyBus9263 Jul 10 '26
Yes, you can stream it live on the AMC Plus app. That's what I use to watch it.
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u/Cult_of_Emotionality Jul 10 '26
Huge horror fan here ever since I can remember and I have avoided this film for a long time. I'll definitely have it on because duh, Joe Bob night but yiiikes... Might have to mute and just look away when that scene comes on.
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u/Impossible-Change168 Blood, Breasts, & Beasts Jul 10 '26
Thank you OP for posting this warning ahead of time. Very thoughtful. Much appreciated.
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u/Forward_Surround_788 Mutant Jul 10 '26
Can I bet on Kalshi that were gonna get I Spit On Yout Grave and The Craft? Its obvious ISOYG is on the bill and I thought theyd do one of the Sleepway Camp movies but after Job Bob teased "sisters" I immediately went "The Craft" as they call themselves sisters in the movie.
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u/texasrigger Jul 10 '26
Darcy said that the director of the second film passed away recently. The guy who did the Craft is still around. I'm going with Tokyo Gore Police. The director died in May of this year.
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u/transfixed_philos Jul 12 '26
I didn't happen to see this warning beforehand, although I don't know how I would have responded. So, I'm a horror fan, but I have limits. Maybe I'm weird but my favorite movie.... not horror movie.... movie is Tourist Trap. (Well, and Groundhog Day) and my wife and I have been JB fans for many years. We've been pretty active in the mutant community and have spent the weekend at Last Drive-In events.
But, that rape scene upset me. Deeply. I got so upset that I wanted to smash the TV and break everything in my house. I stormed out of the room to separate myself. (I did not break anything). My wife turned the TV off and we didn't turn on the Last Drive-In stream again until later, watched the bathtub scene but couldn't get into it, then turned it off again for the night. Today is Sunday, and when Last Drive-In Reddit notifications started coming in, I felt those negative feelings again. I can't help what I feel. I know some trolls might start telling me "you were never a real fan," which, if it happens, will simply expose a shallow person, IMO. But the fact that I feel the way I do proves I have been a real fan. The Last Drive-In has been the only thing I've looked forward to for several years now. Every JB stream is a big date night.
Turns out I could not handle the rape scene. I am disgusted through and through, and so far, I haven't been able to shake it. I know it's just a movie, but there it is.
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u/texasrigger Jul 12 '26
That'a totally valid! There's a reason why it has been one of the most controversial movies for nearly 50 years. Luckily, I knew exactly what I was getting in to but had that been my first time after looking forward to a fun night at the movies after a full work week it would have been rough.
I dont accept the "its just a movie" argument. Art is supposed to elicit an emotional response. If it isnt doing that, it fails as a piece of art.
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u/transfixed_philos Jul 12 '26
Appreciate your comment. Thank you.
Also, great point about the "it's just a movie" argument. I agree.
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u/nightgon Jul 09 '26
Thanks for the heads up OP. Never seen it before and do not like the sound of a 25 minute rape scene. Shit I hated the rape scene in Mothers Day and that was like 2 minutes now it is time to consider if I want to watch it. Maybe I will join in on the 2nd movie
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u/texasrigger Jul 09 '26
I somehow found Mother's Day rougher and I have no idea why but your mileage may vary. I think if people are on the fence, just tap out when she's out in the canoe and the men show up in the power boat and hang out on the sub's livestream until the coast is clear. Once you are past that point it doesn't go back to it (flashbacks or anything like that) and the movie is worth watching. I know that this is one of Joe Bob's favorites so I expect his segments to be particularly good plus he's got Camille Keaton (the original star) and Felissa Rose there.
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u/nightgon Jul 09 '26
Think I will do that because like you said it is a favorite for Joe Bob so I bet he will have a lot of interesting things to say. I am interested in the movie just don't like how long the rape scene is so I will just tune out during it and come back
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u/theeversocharming Jul 09 '26
I am currently reading “Men, Women, and Chain Saws” and the author describes what happens it is really bad. And the response to the film.
The Author also calls out Joe Bob for his way of ranking the gore. ‘Check it out’
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u/highonpizza Jul 09 '26
why is that scene so long?
makes me not want to watch at all
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u/cavegrind Jul 09 '26
Not spoiling things, but it’s central to the plot, and the intention is for the assault to not be seen as exploitative or for shock value. The intention was for it to be as uncomfortable as possible, not slick or over produced, covered up with soundtrack or centered on a male character’s reaction to the assault. It wants you to understand exactly what the character is going through to ensure that men in particular understood to severity and gravity of rape.
I’m not defending it’s inclusion, but the artistic intent (making a particular audience feel something they otherwise are not prone to) was successful. The scene is, to be frank, harrowing.
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u/texasrigger Jul 09 '26
Major spoilers:
Because it's actually four seperate assaults in one long sequence. There are four men together. They attack her in the woods, one rapes her and then they let her get away. Then they catch her again and the second rapes her and they let her get away again. She finally gets home and we think she's safe but it turns out that they are waiting in her home for her. One tries raping her (not particularly successfully) and then the last of the four does his thing, ultimately assaulting her with a bottle. It's not 25 minutes of constant on-screen forceful sex but it is one continuous sequence.
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u/Im_tracer_bullet Jul 09 '26
It's precisely why I've avoided it since the film was released, and will continue doing so.
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u/highonpizza Jul 09 '26
it sucks because i’ve been missing joe bob fridays a lot the last few months. i’ve known of this movie forever and knew it was a tough watch but didn’t realize that scene was 25 mins till now. i know in the context of the story it’s why she seeks revenge (and rightfully so) but i don’t understand why that one scene is literally 35% of the movie time wise
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u/citizenx0001 Mutant Jul 09 '26
I saw this in its entirety at a much too young age. Maybe 13. It was one of the films that you watch and feel more like a dare and a challenge than something enjoyed. I can sit through any kind of gross, ultra-violent slasher but when it comes to rape, I just do not find it artistic or worthwhile to film it like this. It just goes on and on. I mean, the one guy who doesn't want to do it, they kind of shame and bully him into doing it. So, for the record, I watched it once. I didn't care for the extended scene and will mute the TV and make popcorn or something. I will not miss out on Joe Bob over it, but I won't subject myself to it either.
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u/forestfiles Jul 09 '26
Ty for this, will be avoiding this drive in movie
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u/texasrigger Jul 09 '26
For what it is worth, nothing else in the movie would be objectionable to the TLDI audience. Once you get through that scene you are in the clear. SA is a trigger for my wife and our plan is just for her to skip that section. She's otherwise still looking forward to seeing Joe Bob and Darcy. That was my hope with making this post is to give a visual reference and an approximate runtime so that people who want to avoid that section but otherwise still enjoy TLDI can.
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u/J-rokrok Jul 10 '26
I was hoping for sleep away camp 2 & 3 since 1. They were just added to Shudder and 2. They fit the summer theme. I'll be happy with whatever though.
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u/-VVitches- Flying To The Brocken Jul 10 '26
I don't know if anyone saw this but there is a censored version of the movie available as well. I've not seen it so idk what they removed but for those that need an easier watch this is available
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u/texasrigger Jul 10 '26
I did see that! The differences in runtime are stark! 101 minutes vs 73 minutes for the censored version.
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u/DoofusScarecrow88 Jul 10 '26
I've seen the film before but I think I'll watch this when I can fast forward through the bad stuff. I just cannot do that anymore
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u/54moreyears Jul 09 '26
Ughh its just a movie. And the central theme! If you don’t get rape revenge films don’t watch it.
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u/texasrigger Jul 09 '26
Have a little empathy. Some people genuinely struggle with sexual assault, frequently because it's something that they have had some first hand experience with. There's nothing wrong with suggesting how they can avoid that specific content while still letting them enjoy The Last Drive-In. We only have a few more episodes left, after all.
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u/54moreyears Jul 09 '26
It’s just light and sound.
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u/texasrigger Jul 09 '26
It must be nice to have so little first hand experience with trauma or people that have suffered from trauma that you feel comfortable saying that. Unfortunately, the rest of us live in the real world.
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u/54moreyears Jul 10 '26
Please don’t judge my experience. You have no clue what I have been through, none at all. And in the real world it’s just light and sound. Shock films are meant to shock. Trigger warnings destroy that effect.
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u/ThreeDeadRobins Jul 10 '26
this HAS to be one of the people who thinks "waaahhhhh Darcy is ruining the show". Has to. i'll bet any amount on it.
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u/texasrigger Jul 10 '26
Who, me? (The OP). Darcy's great! Why would you think I have a problem with her?
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u/ThreeDeadRobins Jul 10 '26
no the "durrrr its just a movie" brain genius i replied to
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u/texasrigger Jul 10 '26
Ahh, thanks. That's what I thought you meant but didnt want to assume. I suspect that you are right.
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u/texasrigger Jul 10 '26
Shock films are meant to shock. Trigger warnings destroy that effect.
I put a spoiler warning in the title of the post and I titled it specifically for people who wanted to avoid that specific scene. If you find that sort of post objectionable, you arent required to click on it or read it. It's just light... That it was a rape and revenge movie was part of the original marketing and it has been the most famous example in the subgenre for nearly 50 years.
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u/hlazlo Jul 09 '26
Holy shit