A Scene From Netflix’s Gerald’s Game Is So Unsettling It’s Causing People to Pass Out

Netflix’s 2017 psychological horror movie Gerald’s Game, an adaptation of Stephen King’s 1992 novel of the same title, is back in the news—not for its intense plot, but for one, agonizingly graphic scene that has left viewers physically sick. Accounts of viewers fainting, getting sick, or having to pause the movie halfway through have been making the rounds, bringing back discussions about the movie’s haunting effect years after its release.
A Story of Survival Gone Horribly Wrong

Helmed by horror mastermind Mike Flanagan, Gerald’s Game tracks the narrative of Jessie (played by Carla Gugino) and husband Gerald (Bruce Greenwood), who retreat to a remote lake house in a bid to rekindle the flames of their union. Things spiral into darkness as Gerald suddenly suffers a heart attack—leaving Jessie handcuffed to the bed, alone, with no possible way out.

What ensues is a terrifying psychological and physical battle for survival, as Jessie fights both her traumatic past and the very real threat of dehydration, hallucinations, and a creepy presence lurking in the background.

The Scene That’s Breaking Viewers

Although Gerald’s Game is replete with disturbing moments, there is one scene that has been the most disturbing. In a desperate bid to free herself, Jessie finds that the only option is to shatter a glass and use the jagged edge to execute a horrific ‘degloving’ procedure—where she strips the skin off her hand so that she can slide out of the handcuffs.

Flanagan has no hesitation from the gory aspect of this act. The camera hovers, and it shows each agonizing second of Jessie’s agony. The hyper-realistic makeup effects and the raw performance by Gugino make the moment painfully intense for most audiences.

Social media has been filled with responses from shocked viewers, most of whom said they had to stop or even freeze the movie altogether to catch their breath. One Twitter user posted, “I had to stop Gerald’s Game for a good ten minutes. My body froze, and I almost passed out. That scene is too much.” Another wrote, “I thought I could get used to gore, but this? I had to step out of the room.”

Not the First Time Horror Has Had This Effect

This is not the first time horror has had this kind of effect. In 2018, moviegoers at the Toronto International Film Festival allegedly fainted and vomited during showings of The Nightingale, and Hereditary greeted audiences with similar reactions when it was released. Even oldies like The Exorcist were said to get people to run out of theaters when they initially opened.

But Gerald’s Game stands out in that its horror is not supernatural—it’s shockingly human. Jessie’s fight is about survival in the real world, so it’s all the more graphic and relatable. Being trapped, isolated, and having to survive unimaginable agony is a fear that hits far too close to home.

Why Does This Scene Get Viewers So Intensely?

Horror scholars and psychologists agree that the scene of Gerald’s Game is so compelling because it hits on a base fear of body harm and vulnerability. In contrast to standard jump scares, where the terror happens briefly, the scene lingers on the agony, making the audience see all the painful details.

Also, Flanagan’s brilliant direction utilizes close-ups that are as tight as Jessie’s skin, and sound design that maximizes each slice and tear so much that it’s impossible to psychologically distance oneself from Jessie’s pain. The effect realism also comes into play big time—people aren’t just observing a piece of fiction; they feel as if they are living it themselves.

A Testament to Flanagan’s Horror Genius

In spite of its unsettling content, Gerald’s Game has been acclaimed for its faithful translation of Stephen King’s book and its thoroughly psychological horror. The movie holds a 91% approval rate on Rotten Tomatoes as of now, with critics hailing Gugino’s acting and Flanagan’s skill to get the most out of an one-location thriller.

In an interview, Flanagan conceded that he was aware the degloving scene would be gruesome for viewers but maintained that it had to be included in order to portray the real horror of Jessie’s experience. “Survival isn’t pretty,” he explained. “And that moment is all about showing the sheer willpower it takes to survive.”

The Film That Keeps Haunting Viewers

Even six years later, Gerald’s Game remains effective, demonstrating that real horror does not always present itself in the guise of monsters or specters—it is more often found in the unshakeable horrors of the real world. Whether you are a horror aficionado or a mere spectator, one thing is certain: this is a movie that will linger long after the credits have finished rolling.

So if you have not yet seen Gerald’s Game and are considering watching it, this is your warning—you may want to have a steel stomach and a pause button handy.