There is a graphic scene of genital mutilation in which lead actress Charlotte Gainsbourg is to be seen.
Danish film director Lars von Trier was accused of misogyny after the film was shown at Cannes.
Penetrative sex, masturbation and extreme torture are also depicted in Antichrist.
Antichrist distributor Artificial Eye said it was in agreement with the BBFC's decision "to allow people to make up their own minds about the film".
And Artificial Eye's CEO Philip Knatchbull pointed out that it was the company's duty to present the works of directors like Von Grier in their original form.
Von Trier has sparked controversy before when his films Dogville, The Idiots and Dancer in the Dark were also shown at the prestigious Cannes festival.
