Martin McDonagh's Seven Psychopaths is not a comedy for everyone - even when it comes specifically to dark comedies. It has a kind of unique humor that only McDonagh can seemingly bring to it through his screenplay and that can't be replicated precisely. Perhaps that is the reason why the director has already established a name for himself as a master of his craft even though he has only directed three features to date.
Still, there are many similar dark comedies that have a similar tone and atmosphere or feature characters that have a similar mindset or approach to life. For fans of Seven Psychopaths, such movies will definitely be a great watch.
The Nice Guys (2016)
The The Nice Guys. They both end up in a situation they don't like but eventually get along quite well.
But what truly makes the movie stand out is its action and its neo-noir atmosphere that complement the dark humor so well. For fans of everything retro, it also has the charm of 1977 Los Angeles with its vibrant colors and stylish clothes.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Before he became Iron Man, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Incidentally, both The Nice Guys and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang were directed by Shane Black which is why they have such similar atmospheres. On a fun note, Black also went on to direct Downey Jr. in Iron Man 3.
Both movies are quite gruesome in some instances and follow characters that find themselves in unlikely situations that they desperately struggle to get out of.
In Bruges (2008)
Also helmed by McDonagh, In Bruges was the director's feature debut. In tone and dialogue, it shares a lot of similarities with Seven Psychopaths with its dark humor unique to McDonagh's work.
In Bruges shows everything the way it is which is why some of its scenes are so bloody and detailed. What's more, like Seven Psychopaths, it likes to play with the idea of coincidences which makes the characters get into almost the worst possible situations they could find themselves in.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Wes Anderson is certainly one of The Grand Budapest Hotel is a feast for the eyes, but it also has a lot of substance that balances out its abundance of style.
With a plethora of characters, it manages to find its focus with the two leads that have to pretty much deal with the cruel irony of fate as they struggle to achieve their goal of obtaining a priceless painting.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
Another one directed by McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is his latest work. Focusing mostly on its female lead, it brings up some very serious topics and discusses them in a very mature way.
Due to that, the tone of the movie is a tidbit more serious and different than McDonagh's previous works. It's still black comedy and there are still many moments to laugh out loud at, but it treats its subject matter with respect which is why it was acclaimed so much.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Directed The Big Lebowski is a '90s classic that many love and adore both for its characters and for its absurd story. Just like its title character, the movie adopts a laid-back approach and doesn't pretend to be more than it is.
In other words, it's a dark comedy perfect for any lover of the genre. It also uses plenty of coincidences to set up the story, which makes everything happening onscreen all the more entertaining and is similar to what McDonagh does.
Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
Guy Ritchie's feature directorial debut, Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is the perfect place to start for anyone unfamiliar with his work. Often considered the British Quentin Tarantino, his crime comedies tend to feature gangsters and lots of swearing.
Obviously, this movie is not an exception. Shot on a shoestring budget, it manages to have a gritty visual tone ed by its equally gritty dialogue and black humor.
Snatch (2000)
After Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, Ritchie directed another modern classic - Snatch. To put it simply, the movie took everything that was good in its predecessor and made something even more outstanding.
Coincidences are in abundance here and characters are well aware of their "luck" getting into one terrible situation after another. But Snatch's black comedy makes everything work perfectly turning the story into high-class entertainment.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Speaking Reservoir Dogs also didn't have a big budget but relied on a strong screenplay full of dark humor to make it stand out.
Though it's pretty much a heist movie, there is no heist - there are only the planning and the consequences. Because no heist movie ever did this, Reservoir Dogs instantly became a gem in its subgenre.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Perhaps the darkest of all dark comedies is none other than Pulp Fiction. Its iconic status can't be rivaled by anything else precisely because of Tarantino's style, humor, atmosphere, story, characters, music, and so much more.
For fans of coincidences - there are plenty; for fans of a darker atmosphere - it has the neo-noir visuals; for fans of fashion - it has iconic looks of equally iconic characters. In other words, it's probably the best black comedy there is.
