The bleaker the better.
Can murder be funny?
How about suicide, terrorism, or nuclear annihilation?
Everett; Annapurna Pictures
Refusing neat classification, these are true genre-blenders, comediesplus, if you will.Comedy + horror?
Comedy + dirty politics?
Everett; Annapurna Pictures
So what’s the appeal?
TriStar Pictures/Everett
We could say these films take uncommonly intelligent and complex approaches to storytelling, and that would be true.
Sorry I blew up your mom.
), random cartoon moments, Curtis Armstrong (Revenge of the NerdsBooger!)
CBS via Getty
With a director with a name like Savage Steve Holland, what did you expect?
Tell the kids this was exactly what growing up in the 80s was like.
There are no good guys in this divorce, especially when the family estate is involved.
20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett
Smashing china, falling down the stairs, slugs to the nose, and worse.
More than bleak, the film’s been named one of the nastiest comedies of all time."
Yes, we thinkFour Lionsmight be the textbook definition of “dark comedy.”
Universal/ Everett
And neither does her costar,Elizabeth Olsenplaying a breezy L.A. girl personified.
A pitch from Peter Sellers, interestingly enough, is what saved it.
Brooks later admitted his M.O.
Midget Entertainment/Everett
was this: When it comes to real-life horror, sometimes the only logical response is comedy.
If they fail, they are transformed into an animal (hence the title).
But hey, it’s notallbad you get to choose the animal!
Neon
style, this film is an uncomfortable, surreal, and contentious love-it-or-hate-it kind of ride.
What mistakes do we keep repeating?
Whatisthe point of life?
Miramax/Everett
without ever hitting us over the head with them.
Trying to explain its appeal on paper is almost impossible, but we’ll try.
One of the plot devices is a portal/tunnel allowing access to the Malkovich brain.
ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty
Another is a “half-floor” jammed between two normal, full-sized floors.
Also, puppets, obsessive love, body-swapping, a rescue chimp, and more puppets.
Its dream-like and claustrophobic in the best way.
GramercyPictures/Everett
The decidedlynottouristy reason for their visit?
The setting for this settling of scores is the film’s third star.
and in aesthetic (a feast of practical effects, namely a stripped sandworm).
John Springer Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty
There simply isnt a dull moment.
No wallflowers here; the women are brash, brassy, and refreshingly bold.
Rather, he sympathizes with their gloriously human imperfections.Stunningly progressive on multiple levels (that last line!)
Entertainment One UK
Not to mention an appreciation ofDr.
1 on our list.)
Super, but with a pure heart, and real… you know,feelingsat its core.
Despina Spyrou
remains one of the funniest, most unexpectedly heartwarming character transformations of that era.
AND said screenwriter’s twin brother, whose ham-handed, more commercial attempts at writing pays off infuriatingly well.
And that’s the whole thing… oh, wait.
Annapurna Pictures
Did you forget this is a Kaufman joint?
If you liked the other Kaufman/Jonze partnership (Being John Malkovich) you’ll love this.
keeps things relatable for us soft-hearted humans.
Columbia Pictures/Getty
And no one ever will again, becauseHeathersis a (wonderfully) problematic time capsule.
Is Slater’s Jason Dean just a gaslighter in James Dean’s clothing?
Are we surprised that a teen suicide satire didn’t age well?
Paramount/ Everett
But that’s what a good dark comedy can do: Make you squirm as you laugh.
Where to watchWithnail and I: Max
1.Dr.
Strangeloveat the top of our list was a no-brainer.
Amazon Studios
Strangelove: Max
Related content:
Universal Studios; Getty
Everett Collection
Warner Brothers/Everett
James Hamilton/Disney
Richard C. Miller/Donaldson Collection/Getty
Nicola Dove/IFC Films/Everett
Everett Collection
FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty
Buena Vista/Everett
Columbia Pictures
The Orchard; Madman Entertainment
New World Pictures/Everett
Cineplex-Odeon Pictures/Everett
Everett
