One of the 'most terrifying, depressing' movies ever made had scenes so disturbing helplines were launched

A 1980s film which 'destroyed people's will to live' traumatised viewers so much that helplines were launched.

While we expect some gore and violence in certain horror flicks, other films can take the meaning to a whole new level.

Worse still, the movie in question wasn't even intended to be a horror. Instead, its genre has been described as 'sci-fi disaster drama.' Or perhaps that's even scarier?

Set in the mid-80s US, The Day After depicts a fictional war between the NATO forces and the Warsaw Pact (the Soviet Union and seven other Soviet satellite states in Europe) over Germany.

The conflict rapidly escalates into a full-scale nuclear exchange between the US and the Soviet Union. The movie focuses on residents of a small Kansas town as they're thrust into the horrors of nuclear winter.

Millions of Americans tuned in for the made-for-TV disaster movie (ABC)

Star Trek II and VI director Nicholas Meyer helmed the movie and revealed some of the actors on set had 'nukemares' from filming.

The Day After first broadcast on ABC in November 1983, with scenes so graphic helplines had to be opened with counsellors on stand-by.

And that was after the network reportedly 'severely toned down' scenes to 'reduce the body count or severe burn victims.'

Some 41 years later, viewers are still traumatised by the movie. Many have taken to Reddit to off-load as they process their thoughts post-viewing.

One person wrote: "The Day After is the most terrifying, most depressing movie I have ever seen without even being a horror movie and I recommend everyone to watch it.

Some actors experienced 'nukemares' after working on the film (ABC)

"I have never had a movie send me into a complete and utter depression and destroy my will to live more than this movie right here."

They added: "The portrayal of the complete and utter destruction a single thermonuclear weapon would reak on real human beings was enough to send shivers down my spine and convince me the world and life means nothing."

Another shared: "The Day After is a sobering experience, and just as relevant today as when it came out.

"The depiction of a nuclear war is as harrowing and depressing as it gets, and it really shows how there is no winner when nukes start flying."

They continued: "It's not a war movie. It's a tale of survival and desperation and what might happen should pride and arrogance prevail over rational thinking."

Meyer told Yahoo! Entertainment of some of the obstacles he faced while filming, explaining: "As the movie went on there were political hurdles that increasingly got higher and higher. Until at one point, I was fired off the movie in the editing process.

"And I left the movie for three months and then I kind of was eased back into it through a lot of negotiation."

The Day After is available to stream now on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.