A snuff film, also known as a snuff movie or snuff video, is a type of film purported to show scenes of actual murder, often produced for profit or financial gain. The defining characteristic is that a person is actually killed on camera, sometimes with a sexual aspect involved, typically for the purpose of entertainment or profit. However, snuff films are mostly regarded as an urban legend, and no verifiable example of a genuine commercially produced snuff film has ever been confirmed. The concept gained notoriety in the 1970s, amplified by a film called "Snuff" released in 1976, which used a marketing campaign suggesting real murder, though it was staged with special effects. Videos depicting actual murders do exist but are generally made and disseminated for propaganda or personal gratification rather than financial gain, which disqualifies them as "snuff films" under common definitions. Some definitions include films showing suicides or sexualized torture, often involving women, but authentic snuff films remain unproven in a commercial context. There are many fake or staged films that simulate the appearance of snuff films using special effects. In summary, while the snuff film is widely talked about as a real, clandestine genre, it primarily exists as a myth or urban legend with no confirmed genuine examples in commercial production. It remains a subject in horror films and cultural discussions around the depiction of real violence in media. This explanation draws from multiple sources, including the fact-checking of urban legends, film history, and definitions in film lexicons and dictionaries.
