5 Dark Comedies You’ll Be Ashamed to Laugh at
Both hilarious and brutal, what could be better?
Rules are made to be broken. Probably this belief is the main reason why so many creative things happen in the world. Especially we love how the movie industry changes thanks to it: the genres get mixed, the stories get more and more complicated, and the outcome is often very unpredictable.
One of the gifts of creative thinking is definitely the existence of dark comedies, and we think whoever is responsible for their creation is a genius. So here is the list of the 5 best dark comedies that may or may not feel guilty about laughing at.
1. Dr. Strangelove (1964)
One of Stanley Kubrick’s most popular movies is considered to be this one, and it also works as sort of a staple for the dark comedy genre. It’s interesting though that the inspiration to create this movie came to Kubrick out of fear of nuclear destruction… So he decided to put the fear into comedy to make it less significant.
The movie centers on an unhinged American general who orders a bombing attack on the Soviet Union, triggering a path to nuclear holocaust. And the fate of the world is now in the hands of a room full of politicians and generals, who have to find a way to make it stop. Nuclear themes are too dangerous, but with Dr. Strangelove there’s no way you wouldn’t laugh hysterically.
2. Adaptation (2002)
Spike Jonze's iconic film, starring such A-listers as Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper, is a must-see for fans of the genre, but you will have to give the movie your full attention and put down your phone as well. And one more thing: the script is written by Charlie Kaufman, so you know it will be at least intriguing.
The movie tells the true story of a book adaptation gone wrong. At the center are several desperate people whose lives become intertwined as they are all caught in the middle of the brilliant idea that comes crashing down. It’s a bad thing to laugh at failed people, but Kaufman leaves us no choice.
3. Very Bad Things (1998)
The fans of the movie say it’s one of the best examples when a dark comedy is both funny and hard hitting. The dark story follows a murder that starts it all… At a bachelor party, a prostitute is killed, and as the wedding approaches, the atmosphere among the guests is starting to heat up. Unfortunately, the movie is pretty underrated among the masses.
“Agree, truly underrated. I see why, def takes a certain sense of humor to find this dark of a comedy as funny as it's meant to be. That being said, this movie is so f*cking genius and hilarious, one of my favs. Quite possibly the best dark comedy ever. Flawless execution,” Redditor Worth-Trade9381 said.
4. Seven Psychopaths (2012)
Satirical drama is the best there is. And when the bizarre story is supported on the screen by extremely talented actors – it just gives the audience another level of satisfaction. Colin Farrel, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, and Christopher Walken join forces to make this story happen.
At the center of the movie is a struggling screenwriter, who ends up being chased by criminals after his crazy friends kidnap a pretty living toy from a tough gangster. The story gets darker with every turn they pass and every other minute they spend with Shih Tzu…
5. Death Becomes Her (1992)
Another movie that makes you cringe every time you laugh, because the topics it deals with are not funny at all: death, infidelity, greed, jealousy, and so much more. But the breathtaking performances of Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis give us no chance to keep a straight face.
The story centers on a heartbroken novelist who drinks a special potion that makes her immortal. She then comes to brag about her radiant looks to the popular actress who once stole her husband. The two become immortal, but the price of immortality comes out to be a little too high...