A simple dark comedy about a family of con artists, imported from South Korea, has been making waves this awards season. Parasite is the latest of director Bong Joon-Ho’s satirical tales about the two sides of society. Not only was it lauded for its striking originality, but it was hailed for its engaging performances, intricate production values and hidden subtexts.
Thanks to that, this Bong Joon-Ho masterpiece is not only hailed as one of the best of the year, but one of the best of the decade. But, Parasite is not the only black comedy about families. Here are some recommendations:
The ‘Burbs (1989)
Tom Hanks stars as a suburban breadwinner who took a long-week vacation at home. During that period, he suspected that his next-door neighbors are occult murderers. Being this under the direction of Gremlins mastermind Joe Dante, expect a grimy and wacky dark comedy on its wake.
While it is fun to see Hanks play against type, the movie never takes full advantage of its suburban satire and Americana hysteria. Nonetheless, The ‘Burbs is a fun product of the late 80’s.
August: Osage County (2013)
Based on the Pulitzer-winning play by Tracy Letts, August: Osage County tells the story of the dysfunctional Weston family who gather together after the family patriarch (played by late Sam Shepard) allegedly died.
The film’s power came from its ensemble cast, who constantly argue at each other. The comic take over the topic of death was delivered front and center. Meryl Streep as the family matriarch is the driving force of the film that puts her equally alongside Julie Roberts.
Ready or Not (2019)
It is difficult to make a lasting impression to the family who is about to be the in-laws. That is the case for Ready or Not, which took that premise, twisted it with a satirical edge and placed it over a slasher film.
This hidden horror gem was surprisingly grim and constantly fun, as it delivered on its send-up of The Purge and Meet the Parents. Samara Weaving as the central bride character is bloody terrific. So does the gore.
Addams Family Values (1993)
The Addams Family movies can be labeled as dark comedies for their dark humor and macabre atmosphere. The best of which comes from the sequel to the 1991 Barry Sonnenfeld comedy, which centers on the Addams welcoming a new member to the family and sending Wednesday and Pugsley to summer camp.
Family Values is considered to be better than the original for its reliance of macabre humor over sitcom-level gags, the memorable summer camp subplot and Joan Cusack’s manic performance.
The Savages (2007)
The Savages is a story about two estranged siblings uniting for a long time after their father is ailing from a sickness. The late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney as the titular Savage siblings gave in compelling performances as they come in terms of holding crucial responsibilities over the sight of imminent death.
The film is written and directed by Tamara Jenkins, who helmed the cult classic Slums of Beverly Hills. So, she knows how to juggle about a dysfunctional family history and looking back on it comically.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Comparing this fine Tim Burton creation to the latest Bong Joon-Ho creation, one would find striking similarities, in that two families try to take ownership of a household. And one hidden, manic entity would come to change their lives forever.
Even then, Beetlejuice is a terrific horror fantasy that best utilizes Burton’s fondness for bizarre imagery, dark humor and ghoulish world-building. As the titular character, Michael Keaton brought his raw energy and comic timing, helped by Burton fully fleshed characterization. And thanks to the macabre charm, Beetlejuice is a blast.
Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
Parasite is one of the few comedies that depict a sneaky figure (or figures) scheming to steal another family’s wealthy status through gory means. Take the example of this 1949 British black comedy, which centers on a man disowned by his estranged aristocratic family, planning to murder each of its heirs until he receives the dukedom.
With a story that straightforward, it is backed with consistently funny slapstick, a clever script and fun direction. Alec Guinness as the entire aristocratic D’Ascoyne family paved way for actors to do multiple roles.
Raising Arizona (1987)
Being the masters of dark humor cinema, Joel and Ethan Coen would involve a lot of familial themes in their movies. With A Serious Man, it is Larry Gropnik, his drifting family and his contentions with the Jewish faith. With Fargo, it is Jerry Lundegaard scheming to feign his wife’s kidnapping to deceive his father-in-law for ransom. And in Raising Arizona, it is Hi McDunnough and his wife Ed kidnapping one baby from quintuplets and raising as their own.
That heart of the movie comes from earnest performances of Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter that brings the laughs and charm.
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
Still in 40’s cinema, the legendary Frank Capra adapted the dark comedy from the stage to film with Cary Grant in the lead role. Grant plays a recently wedded drama critic, who discovered that his family has been hiding a sinister secret that soon drives him insane.
Grant went against type as he soon discovered his family’s ugly truth and found the possible way to deal with his love interest Elaine (played by Priscilla Lane). Arsenic and Old Lace is a sheer delight on its witty delivery and Grant’s energy.
Knives Out (2019)
The year 2019 has been a great year for family dark comedies. Along with Ready or Not and others not mentioned (like Greener Grass and Family), one of the best to recommend with Parasite is its fellow awards contender, the Rian Johnson whodunit Knives Out.
The Thrombey family are all suspects for the death of the family patriarch (played by Christopher Plummer). And it is up to Detective Benoit Blanc (played by Daniel Craig with his Southern drawl) and his subordinate, Harlan Thrombey’s caretaker Marta Cabrera (played by Ana de Armas in a star-making turn), to solve the case in time.
From start to finish, Johnson brought out his inner Agatha Christie and weaved a wholly original murder mystery with a timely social subtext. And packed with a satirical bite, clever twists to the whodunit genre and engaging performances, Knives Out is a fun case to solve all over again.
