Salo is NOWHERE NEAR as bad as it may look. I am saying this as someone who is fairly conservative. But be warned. Certain images and scenes (probably the ones you know about) will never leave you and will always be in your head. There were definitely times during it when I had to keep reminding myself that this is all fake and it's just a movie...but if what you're afraid of is the pure visual sickness of it, I could probably name tons of other movies that out-gross it. It is definitely the most disturbing & haunting film ever, but I think you should see it if A) you're a die-hard Pasolini fan or B) see something that you won't forget (and come on...sometimes it's kinda fun to be disturbed a little bit).