10 Great Dark Comedy Films You Haven't Seen
3. Four Lions (2010)
“The report makes crystal clear that the police shot the right man, but as far as I’m aware, the wrong man exploded. Is that clear?”
Oh, if there wasn’t a time where the subject matter of Four Lions wasn’t more relevant. It currently almost seems impossible to envision a film satirising both terrorism, and how it is policed within the UK, to be anywhere near as successful as this deadly sharp and irreverent British masterpiece. But rest assured, such a film exists, and it’s all thanks to the genius of writer-director Chris Morris.
Despite its taboo content, Four Lions manages to produce a plethora of likeable (if only because of their egotistical ineptitude) characters. Characters which are, of course, terrorists - all played by a brilliant cast on top form. The movie never attempts to preach ideologies, opting instead to paint an eerily familiar depiction of the absurd nature in which some people think, and how strong beliefs can warp the ability to act rationally.
Chris Morris, being a stickler for detail, spent over five years researching the core themes of terrorism, religion and beliefs, and it’s this attention to detail that elevates this witty satire to levels of cinematic supremacy.