10 Great Dark Film Comedies You Have To See
2. In Bruges
Sporting a career best performance from Colin Farrell, In Bruges came out in 2008 and was directed by cult indie filmmaker Martin McDonagh, who would go on to make the Oscar-winning drama Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Although the latter film gained McDonagh his biggest praise, it is still In Bruges which best captures his dark sensibilities and his power when it comes to writing compelling, complex characters.
Farrell stars as Ray, an amateur hitman who is sent to Bruges (it's in Belgium) after a hit gone wrong. Accompanied by colleague and long-time professional Ken (Brendan Gleeson), Ray begins to contemplate life and even falls in love with a local girl (Clemence Posey). Things take a dark turn when their boss, Harry (Ralph Fiennes) asks Ken to kill Ray for his recent failure.
A deliciously dark and violent dark comedy-drama, In Bruges is bursting with well-realised characters and an endless sea of quotability, and its otherwise simple script is elevated to new heights thanks to the hysterical and often tragic performances of Farrell and Gleeson.
It's a startling assessment of morality and acceptance, and a thrilling character study, with an ending that's guaranteed to stay with you long after the credits have finished rolling.