# Black (or dark) comedies recomendations **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [January 12, 2023, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115 "2023-01-12T17:24:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/21 "2023-01-12T19:05:08Z")
Just watched The Lobster on HBOMax: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/vU29VfayDMw/maxresdefault.jpg "The Lobster Official Trailer #1 (2016) - Jacqueline Abrahams, Roger Ashton-Griffiths Movie HD") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU29VfayDMw) It super dark and messed up (unexpectedly so, even though it looks pretty messed up from the trailer, the movie itself is even darker and more messed up) ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/22 "2023-01-12T19:08:42Z")
I still chuckle about a scene from that movie. DeVito’s character is telling stories to the security cop assigned to protect him, and he gets a call. After exchanging a few words, he tells the caller, “Sharon can’t come to the phone right now. My dick is in her mouth. She’ll call you back later.” He then tells the cop, “I love getting wrong numbers.” ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/23 "2023-01-12T19:10:19Z")
Four Lions, a jihad satire following a group of homegrown terrorist jihadis from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Ew-SrlQ9tlI/maxresdefault.jpg "Four Lions - Official Trailer | Starring Riz Ahmed") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew-SrlQ9tlI) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/24 "2023-01-12T19:14:58Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > so while you are at it also check out the entire oeuvre of the Coens except for their shitty remake of _The Ladykillers_ and maybe give _Intolerable Cruelty_ a pass. (I guess _Miller’s Crossing_ and _No Country for Old Men_ aren’t really comedies but why skip such great films?) Often overlooked gems are _The Man Who Wasn’t There_ (basically a Cain-esque parody of small town murder noir) and _Burn After Reading_,which is a conspiracy thriller with no conspiracy populated by idiots. (J.K. Simmons only has a couple of scenes in the entire film but he clears the decks with every line.) My favorite Coen Brothers movie is “The Hudsucker Proxy”. Not necessarily a “dark” comedy, but it does go into some dark places. (it is in black and white, though; does that count?) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/25 "2023-01-12T19:20:56Z")
_Death Becomes Her_ (1992): Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis explore what happens when one drinks a potion of immortality. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/26 "2023-01-12T19:21:21Z")
Can they be older (very old) films? Anyway, who does dark humo(u)r better than the Brits? “The Laydkillers” from 1955 is the funniest film I’ve ever seen (besides the already mentioned “A Fish Called Wanda”): > **[The Ladykillers (1955) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048281/)** > > The Ladykillers: Directed by Alexander Mackendrick. With Alec Guinness, Cecil Parker, Herbert Lom, Peter Sellers. Five oddball criminals planning a bank robbery rent rooms on a cul-de-sac from an octogenarian widow under the pretext that they are... And an American classic: “Arsenic And Old Lace” > **[Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036613/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0)** > > Arsenic and Old Lace: Directed by Frank Capra. With Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane, Raymond Massey, Jack Carson. A Brooklyn writer of books on the futility of marriage risks his reputation when he decides to tie the knot. Things get even more complicated... ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/27 "2023-01-12T19:23:36Z")
I am surprised **Heathers** hasn’t been mentioned. **Harold and Maude** is also one of my favorites. There’s another black comedy that I absolutely love, and I sometimes wonder if I am the only person who has seen it: [Miss Nobody](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Nobody_(2010_film)), made in 2010. ---
**Author:** ![skj91](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@skj91](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skj91)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/28 "2023-01-12T19:25:57Z")
Agree that **Heathers** is a good one. And definitely **Arsenic and Old Lace** I would also say [Bad Santa](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0307987/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0). And you can’t leave out [Dr. Strangelove](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057012/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_8) and [Young Frankenstein](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072431/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1) and [Shaun of the Dead](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365748/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3) ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/29 "2023-01-12T19:32:30Z")
When I think about it, Billy Wilder’s best comedy “The Apartment” is very dark, though it probably was seen as rather light when it came out. But it’s a story about multi-leveled abuse and exploitation, even including a suicide attempt. Hilariously funny nonetheless. ETA: I’ve seen the Coen brothers mentioned a few times, but not “Fargo”. Very dark, very funny. Go watch it. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/30 "2023-01-12T19:35:33Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > A couple of older movies with a similar theme… > > Parents (1989) Oh man, what a creepy, fun film. No way does that deserve as low as a 6.1 on IMDb. Best seen with no foreknowledge, as even the logline gives stuff away. Trivia: that’s the only thing that kid acted in. Can’t blame him for running. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/31 "2023-01-12T19:37:48Z")
Also the early John Carpenter sci fi Dark Star: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/lwISbJfRNz0/maxresdefault.jpg "Dark Star 1974 Trailer HD") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwISbJfRNz0) ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/32 "2023-01-12T19:43:56Z")
_The Hudsucker Proxy_ has its dark moments, but it’s in color. (Maybe you’re thinking of _The Man Who Wasn’t There_?) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/33 "2023-01-12T19:45:43Z")
false memory syndrome. I coulda sworn it was in black and white. Maybe some scenes were? ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/34 "2023-01-12T19:47:23Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > “The Laydkillers” from 1955 is the funniest film I’ve ever seen One of my favorite movies. Definitely recommended. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/35 "2023-01-12T19:51:32Z")
The _Citizen Kane_-esque newsreel was: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/m-p6u0IEzKA/hqdefault.jpg "German Newsreel Scientist analyze the Hula Hoop") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-p6u0IEzKA) ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/36 "2023-01-12T19:53:11Z")
You could try Todd Solondz’ Welcome to the Dollhouse and Happiness ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/37 "2023-01-12T19:55:34Z")
So many good suggestions in this thread. > [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > false memory syndrome. I coulda sworn it was in black and white. Maybe some scenes were? Mandela effect? 😉 > [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > I am surprised **Heathers** hasn’t been mentioned. **Harold and Maude** is also one of my favorites. > > There’s another black comedy that I absolutely love, and I sometimes wonder if I am the only person who has seen it: [Miss Nobody](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Nobody_(2010_film)), made in 2010. Putting Heathers and Miss Nobody on the growing list. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/38 "2023-01-12T19:58:32Z")
It gets shit on a lot but I thought **Death to Smoochy** was hilarious. I suspect that based on the cast everyone expected a much different movie, but if taken on its own merits without any expectation, as I watched it the first time however many years ago, it’s brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/39 "2023-01-12T20:08:19Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Also the early John Carpenter sci fi Dark Star: Best SF film for the money spent. Blackadder Goes Forth. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115/40 "2023-01-12T20:55:46Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > > [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > > > false memory syndrome. I coulda sworn it was in black and white. Maybe some scenes were? > > Mandela effect? 😉 Not necessarily. [![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CWM1zDcmWXs/TroD0VsX4WI/AAAAAAAAAVA/Jc5bN5xSTkc/s1600/ch930919.gif) ](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CWM1zDcmWXs/TroD0VsX4WI/AAAAAAAAAVA/Jc5bN5xSTkc/s1600/ch930919.gif) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-or-dark-comedies-recomendations/978115.md?page=3)