10 Great Dark Film Comedies You Have To See

7. Burn After Reading

James McAvoy Filth
Focus Features

The Coen Brothers strike again, this time directing an ensemble cast complete with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, J.K Simmons and Richard Jenkins. Released in 2008, Burn After Reading is the most thriller-like movie the brothers have ever done, and a funny look at blackmail, murder and paranoia.

The plot itself resolves around Osbourne Cox (Malkovich), a former CIA operative who is writing a tell-all memoir about the agency. After wacky gym workers Linda and Chad (McDormand and Pitt) find his recordings for the book, they attempt to blackmail him or sell it to the Russian embassy.

The Coen Brothers' funniest movie since The Big Lebowski, Burn After Reading has shock twists, unforgettable characters and outlandish confrontations to spare. It may be unpredictable and a bit anarchist, but not once does this become a bad thing. In fact, the insanity of the plot makes the whole thing seamlessly endearing and absolutely hysterical.

Contributor

Aidan Whatman hasn't written a bio just yet, but if they had... it would appear here.