‘A man of peace’: Pope Leo embarks on a marathon visit to Africa

On Monday, Pope Leo XIV’s is setting off on a long Africa trip, the first of his papacy to bear a clear personal stamp.

CNN Pope Leo XIV presides over the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession during Good Friday celebrations at the Colosseum in Rome on April 3, 2026. - Vincenzo Livieri/Reuters

Between April 13-23, the pope will travel to four countries, crisscrossing a continent pivotal to the 21st-century church he leads. Christian-Muslim relations will be high on his agenda.

It’s a trip that comes as the first American pope is increasinglyspeaking outagainst the current conflict in the Middle East, saying God can’t be used to justify war, while Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, frames the US war effort as divinely supported. Leo’s decision to visit Algeria, a Muslim-majority nation, and tackle inter-faith relations also points to him becoming a diplomatic counterweight to the Trump administration and its military intervention in Iran.

Trump criticized the pope in a post on Truth Social overnight ahead of Leo’s trip, describing the pontiff as “terrible for Foreign Policy” and saying that “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.”

Africa is a continent where the Catholic Church is growing, and where the church frequently plays an influential role in civil society through education and healthcare and helping to mediate in conflicts. According to Vatican statistics, Catholics on the continent now make up around 20% of believers worldwide.

Leo XIV, who spent years as a missionary in the global south, knows Africa well. And as pope, he has appointed priests from Nigeria to senior positions in the Vatican.

His itinerary includes Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea and will see him take 18 flights, including two by helicopter, and cover 11,185 miles, or around 18,000 kilometers. That schedule is likely to be tough even for a pope who, at 70, is relatively young and known to take regular exercise.

While the countries he is visiting are diverse, the itinerary and his plans while there point to a consistent theme of Leo as bridge builder and reconciler.

“Pope Leo’s visit to Africa will offer him the unique opportunity to listen to African Catholics and learn first-hand about the realities of their daily life,” said the Reverend Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, a Jesuit priest from Nigeria who led his religious order’s community across Africa between 2017-2023 and is now based at Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California.

Algeria welcoming ‘one of its own sons’

Leo will begin his marathon Africa visit in Algeria, becoming the first pope to set foot in the country. Mistrust of western culture and Christianity is still high in Algeria, much of it associated with the past French colonial presence, and the country is home to only a tiny Catholic population of around 8,000. Christians there frequently face difficulties.

The pope’s presence should offer a boost to the Algerian Catholic Church, known for working closely with its Muslim counterparts in the country, while highlighting Algeria’s ancient Christian roots.

“(In Algeria) Christianity still carries memories of an oppressive past,” the Reverend Martin McGee, a Benedictine monk and expert on Christian-Muslim relations in Algeria, told CNN.

“Pope Leo will also be seeking to strengthen Christian-Muslim relationships. Since the independence of the country from France in 1962, the tiny remnant of the Catholic Church in Algeria has consistently worked at breaking down barriers between Christian and Muslim believers,” he added.

Bishop Diego Sarrió Cucarella, who leads the diocese of Laghouat in Algeria, told CNN the church in the country is not one of “numbers or visibility” but a “church of presence – unarmed and disarming.”

“In a world often marked by fear or misunderstanding between religions and cultures, our experience here suggests that another path is possible,” he said. “Algerian society has a strong sense of hospitality, and many will recognize in him (the pope) not a foreign leader, but a man of peace – a brother seeking peace with the brethren.”

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Leo will also make a very poignant pilgrimage in Algeria by taking a day trip to the city of Annaba, where Saint Augustine of Hippo served as a bishop in the late fourth and early fifth centuries. St Augustine, one of Christianity’s most influential figures, is the inspiration for the religious order of the Augustinians, of which Leo is a member and former leader.

People attend a ceremony for the reopening of the basilica of Saint-Augustin in Algeria's eastern city of Annaba on October 19, 2013. - Farouk Batiche/AFP/Getty Images

Michel Guillaud, the Bishop of Constantine and Hippo, said Leo had visited Algeria twice before his election as pope, and that the Augustine link provides “a sense of kinship between this pope and the Algerian people” in a country that is “a bridge” between the African continent, the Arab-Muslim world and the “other shores of the Mediterranean world.”

“It is as if Algeria were welcoming one of its own sons, since he is ‘a son of Augustine,’” he told CNN.

A growing, youthful church

The other African countries Leo will visit have large and growing Catholic populations. During his trip, he will see the vibrant church up close, celebrating open-air Masses and visiting nursing homes, a prison, university campuses and a psychiatric hospital. A Vatican spokesman said “600,000 faithful” are expected to take part in a Mass presided by Leo in a carpark adjacent to the Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon.

Motorcycles pass by a church on a street where a poster announces the apostolic visit of Pope Leo XIV to Cameroon, in Yaounde on April 8, 2026. - Daniel Beloumou Olomo/AFP/Getty Images

While in Cameroon, Leo will focus on a message of reconciliation in a country where an English-speaking minority has protested against perceived discrimination by the Francophone government. The pope will go to Bamenda, the largest Anglophone city in the country, to take part in a peace meeting. The meeting will be attended by an internally displaced family, the traditional leader of the Mankon people, which is a prominent ethnic group in the region, a Catholic nun, an Imam and other church leaders.

Bamenda has been at the center of a long-running conflict between government forces and Anglophone separatists, which has killed thousands since 2017, including civilians.

The city of Bamenda, the Anglophone capital of northwest Cameroon, pictured on June 16, 2017. - Reinnier Kaze/AFP/Getty Images

“Much of the world pays little or no attention to the conflict and violence that have crippled socioeconomic life and caused intolerable human casualties in the northwestern and southwestern anglophone parts of Cameroon. His visit to Bamenda is particularly poignant,” said Orobator at Santa Clara University.

“Leo is perhaps the only religious leader with the soft power to convene the belligerent and opposing forces to come to the table of dialogue and seek just peace. It will be a unique occasion for him to remind Cameroonians that there are alternatives pathways to conflict and violence.”

Foreign visits offer the pope a chance to address the country’s leadership and shine a spotlight on certain issues. While in Angola, Leo will fly to the city of Saurimo, the heart of the country’s controversial diamond industry, where he’ll celebrate an open-air Mass.

While the diamond industry is a major contributor to the economy, concerns have been raised about its effect on the environment and the treatment of miners. During his pontificate Leo has talked about the importance of protecting the planet, so environmental stewardship could be a topic he addresses while in Angola and elsewhere in Africa.

“By modeling peace as a ‘humble and disarming’ force, the pope not only draws global attention to the region’s suffering but also positions the African Church as a trusted mediator for reconciliation,” said Jaisy A. Joseph, a theologian at Villanova University, Pope Leo’s alma mater.

Missionary pope

Leo’s Africa trip will see him outside of the Vatican for the longest time since his election, and the constant travel in the country has echoes of his time as a missionary and bishop in Latin America.

It is fitting that he’ll mark the first anniversary of the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis, on April 21 in Equatorial Guinea, a small country with a mainly Catholic population and where around 70% live in poverty. Leo’s visit to the country – the first papal trip since 1982 – will see him put into action Francis’ vision of a church that goes out to the margins, serving the poorest.

The pope’s jam-packed schedule in Equatorial Guinea includes a visit to a prison and an oceanfront memorial for the victims of a series of explosions in 2021 at a military barracks. President Teodoro Obiang and his government said the blasts were the result of “negligence” and a fire begun by farmers nearby, but human rights groups have called for an independent inquiry into the explosions.

From the moment of his election, Leo has sought to offer a leadership that breaks down divisions. His whirlwind visit to Africa will seek to put that vision into action on the continent.

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‘A man of peace’: Pope Leo embarks on a marathon visit to Africa

On Monday, Pope Leo XIV’s is setting off on a long Africa trip, the first of his papacy to bear a clear personal stamp. Between A...
The 34 best dark comedies of all time

Traditional joke math suggests that tragedy + time = comedy. The 34 films on this list don't follow this formula, though, because dark comedy isn't about making comedy comfortable for everybody — it's about using humor to create comfort for the sometimes niche audience that needs to see it. A film about a grieving family (The Royal Tenenbaums) might seem in poor taste to some; to others, it might be the only thing saving them from their own grief.

Entertainment Weekly

If your coping mechanism for tough times is laughter, then this is the list for you. These 34 comedies streaming across the internet satirize global issues like nuclear war, cultural trends like beauty pageants, and leave no stone unturned in their quest to make life's toughest stuff more emotionally palatable.

Keep reading forEntertainment Weekly's list of the 34 best dark comedies of all time, and remember: It's okay to laugh.

I Love You to Death(1990)

Miriam Margolyes as Joey's Mother and Kevin Kline as Joey Boca in 'I Love You to Death'Credit: TriStar Pictures/Everett

Serve spaghetti (with a killer sauce) for this one, folks, because marinara is the preferred vehicle for poison in this very Italian true-crime romp. Black? Pitch, because it's about, ya know, an actual plot to kill an actual philandering husband (played byKevin Klinein his prime). Based on the wild tale of a real woman (Frances Toto) and her multiple attempts to off her cheating spouse, Tracey Ullman plays the jilted wife with aplomb. Espresso-dark and over the top (with an amazing cast includingKeanu Reevesand River Phoenix), the real story is crazier than fiction, but you won’t find any spoilers here.—Debby Wolfinsohn

Where to watchI Love You to Death: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

Better Off Dead(1985)

John Cusack as Lane Meyer in 'Better Off Dead'Credit: CBS via Getty

So much to love here: a baby-facedJohn Cusack, quotable lines (“I want my two dollars!” “Gee, I’m real sorry your mom blew up, Ricky.” ), random cartoon moments, Curtis Armstrong (Revenge of the Nerds’Booger!) skiing in a top hat, goofball humor (dinner literally crawls off the plate), and because this is a dark comedy, a running "I'm going to kill myself" plotline that feels about as serious as everything else in this film, which is to say, not very. With a director with a name like Savage Steve Holland, what did you expect? Tell the kids this was exactly what growing up in the ‘80s was like.—D.W.

Where to watchBetter Off Dead: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

The War of the Roses(1989)

Kathleen Turner as Barbara Rose, Danny DeVito as Gavin D'Amato, and Michael Douglas as Oliver Rose in 'The War of the Roses'Credit: 20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett

An extra-dark comedy that veers toward sadism, the film is saved by the chemistry and star power ofKathleen TurnerandMichael Douglas(fresh off theirRomancing the Stoneseries), with an assist from an excellent Danny DeVito. There are no good guys in this divorce, especially when the family estate is involved. Smashing china, falling down the stairs, slugs to the nose, and worse: Even the pets don't escape the wrath of this toxic couple, and watching them go from happy newlyweds to bitter foes feels, at times, genuinely sad. More than bleak, the film's been named “one of the nastiest comedies of all time."—D.W.

Where to watchTheWar of the Roses: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas(1998)

Johnny Depp as Raoul Duke in 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'Credit: Universal/Everett

This film must be seen to be believed — and for fans of dark comedy, it must be seen. Wickedly hilarious (and just so…wrong) from the get-go, this drug-singed, candy-colored nightmare remains a singularly chaotic vision, a freakish holy trinity/chemical reaction between the minds of Hunter S. Thompson,Johnny Depp, and director-ringleader Terry Gilliam.

The story begins with Depp's voiceover reading Thompson's famous words: "We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold." As perfect as Depp's maniacal performance is, he actually serves as the straight man (if you can believe that) next to the half-feral turn Benicio Del Toro conjures up as Thompson's lawyer, stealing the show every time he blinks.—D.W.

Where to watchFear and Loathing in Las Vegas: Amazon Prime Video

Four Lions(2010)

Riz Ahmed as Omar in 'Four Lions'Credit: Midget Entertainment/Everett

A laugh fest about a bunch of suicide bombers? Yes, we thinkFour Lionsmight be the textbook definition of "dark comedy." English filmmaker Chris Morris invites us to laugh at terror, literally, putting the stupidity of these hilariously clueless jihadists front and center.As EW’s critic put it, "These guys are not charming; they’re horrifying in their ignorance, and they cause real damage. But there’s a weird relief to be found in the opportunity to laugh ourselves sick at their expense, if only for an instant."—D.W.

Where to watchFour Lions: Tubi

Ingrid Goes West(2017)

Elizabeth Olsen as Taylor Sloane and Aubrey Plaza as Ingrid Thorburn in 'Ingrid Goes West'Credit: Neon

The sun-drenched black comedyIngrid Goes Westis filled with enough avocado toast, big hats, and selfies to double as an Instagram time capsule. Playing the charmingly unhinged Ingrid, an internet stalker of the highest order,Aubrey Plazadoesn't hit a false note. And neither does her costar, Elizabeth Olsen, playing a breezy L.A. girl personified. Olsen fully inhabits her role as a popular social media influencer and the object of Ingrid's obsession.EW's critic praised the film's"keen sense for the loneliness and inanity of a life lived online," calling it a "clever, corrosive little trick of a movie."—D.W.

Where to watchIngrid Goes West: Tubi

Delicatessen(1991)

Jean-Claude Dreyfus as Clapet, Jacques Mathou as Roger, Rufus as Robert Kube, and Karin Viard as Mademoiselle Plusse in 'Delicatessen'Credit: Miramax/Everett

Bathed in yellow smoke, this quirky French dystopia is a visually stunning collaboration between Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro. If you've seen their other work of genius,The City of Lost Children(1995), you already know what you're in for: a living, breathing, beautifully surrealist nightmare. And whileDelicatessenis, without a doubt, dark (the title is inspired by a butcher who uses his carving skills on, gulp, human meat), it's leavened by fantastic performances and a sense of zany, off-kilter silliness happening within a meticulously crafted world.—D.W.

Where to watchDelicatessen: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

A New Leaf(1971)

Walter Matthau as Henry Graham and Elaine May as Henrietta Lowell in 'A New Life'Credit: ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty

A New Leafis a showcase for the freakishly talented Elaine May, pulling off a triple threat as the writer, director,andstar. May plays Henrietta, a very rich, very awkward botanist with zero social skills who is targeted by a gold-digging creep (the excellent grump, Mr. Walter Matthau). His plan to marry this adorable nerd, murder her, and take all the cash doesnotgo as planned in the most painful way possible (for the audience, too). Poor, innocent Henrietta falls madly in love with Matthau's character, the first person to shower her with kindness and care. May's sense of physical comedy is on full display here (her three-minute "trying to put on a dress" sequence, for example, is legendary).—D.W.

Where to watchA New Leaf: Pluto TV

Drop Dead Gorgeous(1999)

Ellen Barkin as Annette Atkins, Allison Janney as Loretta, and Kirsten Dunst as Amber Atkins in 'Drop Dead Gorgeous'Credit: New Line Cinema/Everett

Minnesota nice turns into Midwestern murder inDrop Dead Gorgeous, a black comedy mockumentary about a series of attempted assassinations in a small town beauty pageant qualifying competition. Amber Atkins (Kirsten Dunst) is a 17-year-old aspiring journalist who hopes to win the Sarah Rose Cosmetics American Teen Princess Pageant to pay for college. But first, she must survive her hometown pageant, a high ask considering someone is picking off the contestants one by one.

This satire is a dark, funny takedown of small-town values, beauty competitions, and the public’s obsession with young girls. The comedy flopped at the box office, butDrop Dead Gorgeousproved ahead of its time — the movie castAmy Adamsin her first film role — and has since been declared a cult classic. —Ilana Gordon

Where to watchDrop Dead Gorgeous: Tubi

Fargo(1996)

Frances McDormand as Marge Gunderson in 'Fargo'Credit: Gramercy Pictures/Getty

The OG middle America noir is brought to you by theCoen brothers, whose understated style is often imitated but never duplicated. (Now, if we could include Noah Hawley's sublime small-screen spinoff we would, because the film and the FX series both mix humor and violence to create a deliciously dark comedy hot dish.)Fargowas hugely influential, being one of the first times mainstream moviegoers had seen plain-spoken folk at the center of a violent crime story, and the sensation of laughing while covering your eyes in horror (one word: woodchipper) became a core memory for ‘90s film lovers.

Withsuper greatperformances from the likes ofFrances McDormand, William H. Macy, and Steve Buscemi,EW’s critic described the settingas "a landscape so muffled by snow and Scandinavian-bred, low-affect courtesy."—D.W.

Where to watchFargo: HBO Max

The Producers(1967)

Gene Wilder as Leo Bloom and Zero Mostel as Max Bialystock in 'The Producers'Credit: John Springer Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

For this, his first film, dark comedy hall of famerMel Brookswentbig, deciding that fearlessly taking on the Nazis (and the American public) would be a good introduction. This bold move paid off, cementing his place in cinematic history (and our hearts) forever, but at the time, well, you could say it took some (Space)balls.Yes, Brooks created something so risky — people just didn'tmake fun of Hitlerlike that — that the studio nearly pulled it from circulation. A pitch from Peter Sellers, interestingly enough, is what saved it. Brooks later admitted his M.O. was this: When it comes to real-life horror, sometimes the only logical response is comedy.—D.W.

Where to watchThe Producers: Tubi

The Death of Stalin(2017)

Jason Isaacs as Field Marshal Zhukov in 'The Death of Stalin'Credit: Entertainment One UK

From Armando Iannucci (Veep) comes a different sort of barbed political satire, a historical comedy as black as burnt toast. Set in 1953 after the titular dictator’s passing, the film revels in the chaotic, messy, bumbling power struggle that ensues among figures like Nikita Khrushchev (Steve Buscemi) and Georgy Malenkov (Jeffrey Tambor). If this sounds a bit likeSuccession(created by Iannucci's peer/former co-writer Jesse Armstrong, who worked onThe Thick of ItandIn The Loopwith him), we can only say that great minds think alike. Fun fact: In what may be the greatest compliment of all, the film wascondemned by Russia as anti-Russian propaganda.—D.W.

Where to watchThe Death of Stalin: Hulu

American Psycho(2000)

Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in 'American Psycho'Credit: Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett Collection

Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 best-seller looks unrecognizable in Mary Harron’s cinematic adaptation of the controversial novel. StarringChristian Baleas Patrick Bateman, a yuppie investment banker whose only real passions are consumerism, dining out, and committing murder, this black comedy and horror fusion satirizes the mass-consumption and performative lifestyle that was a hallmark of the 1980s culture and economy.

Luckily for viewers, the film version ofAmerican Psychopresents the best aspects of the novel without luxuriating in book Bateman’s fevered misogyny.EW’s critic writesthat the film is elevated by Bale’s interpretation, noting, “He keeps Patrick lurching blindly toward humanity, until we see a self being born in a man who, paradoxically, was too selfish to have one.”—I.G.

Where to watchAmerican Psycho: The Roku Channel

The Lobster(2015)

Jessica Barden as Nosebleed Woman and Colin Farrell as David in 'The Lobster'Credit: Despina Spyrou

Yorgos Lanthimos, quite possiblythereigning dark comedy master of the current era, is never content to stay in the lines. Seemingly on a quest to make a film in each genre, though always through the lens of black comedy,The Lobsterwas his stab at dystopian, absurdist…romance? StarringColin Farrell(looking like a defeated Ned Flanders) andRachel Weisz, the story is set in a "resort" (ok, prison) whose "guests" are all singles tasked with finding life partners. If they fail, they are transformed into an animal (hence the title). But hey, it's notallbad — you get to choose the animal! With a stacked cast (Olivia Colman, John C. Reilly, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw) and a cool (cold?) style, this film is an uncomfortable, surreal, and contentious love-it-or-hate-it kind of ride.—D.W.

Where to watchThe Lobster: HBO Max

Sorry to Bother You(2018)

LaKeith Stanfield as Cassius Green and Tessa Thompson as Detroit in 'Sorry to Bother You'Credit: Annapurna Pictures

EW’s critic praised Boots Riley's genre-defying dark comedy as"the most wonderfully bizarre film of 2018," and with good reason. Following telemarketer Cassius Green (LaKeith Stanfieldin a role he was born to play) down aseriousrabbit hole, this twisted, Oakland-based take onAlice in Wonderlandstarts weird and gets progressively weirder, building to a surreal conclusion you cannot look away from. Not to be outdone, the amazing Tessa Thompson turns in a fantastically free-wheeling performance as Cass' artist girlfriend, Detroit.—D.W.

Where to watchSorry to Bother You: Fandango (to rent)

Groundhog Day(1993)

Bill Murray as Phil Connors and Andie MacDowell as Rita Hanson in 'Groundhog Day'Credit: Columbia Pictures/Getty

Groundhog Dayis an existential miracle disguised as aBill Murraycomedy. What appears to be a bouncy, silly romp about a slightly surreal situation (Murray plays Phil, a weatherman reliving the same day over and over) is, at its core, actually quite deep. With director/co-writerHarold Ramisat the helm, this film asks surprisingly big philosophical questions — How do we get unstuck? What mistakes do we keep repeating? Whatisthe point of life? — without ever hitting us over the head with them.—D.W.

Where to watchGroundhog Day: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

Election(1999)

Matthew Broderick as Jim McCallister and Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick in 'Election'Credit: CBS via Getty

If Elle Woods had an evil little sister, she would be Tracy Flick, a frighteningly ambitious girl who blows up a man's life.Reese Witherspoon(then 23, playing a convincing 16)ownsthe role of Flick, a high-intensity creep with perfect posture, chipper enough to cut. The terror in her teacher's eyes (Matthew Broderick, bringing the schlub factor) tells us everything — she's a monster in a sweater set. This one takes place in the heartland (Nebraska), where, similar toFargo, the flat colors and plain-spoken style serve to put the fiery story into high focus. Written and directed by Alexander Payne with his usual self-assured, sunny, satirical edge,Electionis based on the novel of the same name by an author who is no stranger to the dark (comedy) side, Mr.Tom Perotta.—D.W.

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Where to watchElection: Paramount+

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm(2020)

Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat in 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm'Credit: Amazon Studios

Sacha Baron Cohen’s mustachioed, overly-confident Kazakh is back, baby, in yet another tragicomic wonder. Traveling through the U.S. with his daughter, Tutar (Maria Bakalova),Borat Subsequent Moviefilmis like a reimagined, unscripted version of a bizarro buddy comedy, full of momentssounwieldy they give new meaning to the word "awkward." Some of the most iconic bits include thenow-infamous Rudy Giuliani encounterand the horrifying father-daughter OB-GYN visit.As EW’s critic writes, "His outrageous, uncountable isms — the confident screeds against women and Jews, the casual endorsements of incest or indentured servitude — are of course satirical, and entirely the point."—D.W.

Where to watchBorat Subsequent Moviefilm: Amazon Prime Video

Being John Malkovich(1999)

(Center): Orson Bean as Dr. Lester and Cameron Diaz as Lotte Schwartz in 'Being John Malkovich'Credit: Universal Studios

Pair the dark comedy dream team of Charlie Kaufman (writer) and Spike Jonze (director) with a stellar cast willing to go there (Catherine Keener, Cameron Diaz, John Cusack), and the result is one of the most surreal films ever.Being John Malkovich— a wild gemEW’s critic describesas a "delightfully absurdist, occasionally off-putting masterpiece of existential voyeurism that runs on its own off-brand logic," is a mind-blowing treat. Trying to explain its appeal on paper is almost impossible, but we'll try. One of the plot devices is a portal/tunnel allowing access to the Malkovich brain. Another is a "half-floor" jammed between two normal, full-sized floors. Also, puppets, obsessive love, body-swapping, a rescue chimp, and more puppets. It’s dream-like and claustrophobic in the best way.—D.W.

Where to watchBeing John Malkovich: Amazon Prime Video

In Bruges(2008)

Brendan Gleeson as Ken and Colin Farrell as Ray in 'In Bruges'Credit: Everett Collection

Dark as a cup of Yorkshire Tea,In Bruges, penned by writer/director Martin McDonagh (2022'sThe Banshees of Inisherin) tells the tale of two hit men visiting the Belgian tourist town of Bruges. The decidedlynottouristy reason for their visit? One of them, (Colin Farrell) has accidentally killed a young boy, and the other (Brendan Gleeson) has been ordered to off him. The setting for this settling of scores is the film's third star. Lovely and rich in history, Bruges is famous for its canals, stone bridges, and quaint pubs, painting a charming backdrop for a couple of excellent performances in a film that is quite heavy, but also shockingly funny.—D.W.

Where to watchIn Bruges: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

Beetlejuice(1988)

Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse, Geena Davis as Barbara Maitland, and Alec Baldwin as Adam Maitland in 'Beetlejuice'Credit: Warner Brothers/Everett

With its signature sweet but creepy tone, this Tim Burton film is exhibit A in how scary things (death, the paranormal) can be adorable — and the trick is in the perspective. When the world's nicest couple (Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) perish and become ghosts, only a certain depressed goth princess named Lydia (Winona Ryder, who else) can see them. Serving as their real-world representative, Lydia defends them against idiots like her parents (nearly "killing" them with a seance) and sleazebag monsters (Michael Keaton's slapstick Beetle-dude). Hilariously funny and at times downright scary, this genre-defying movie is creative both in concept (death is kinda like the DMV?) and in aesthetic (a feast of practical effects, namely a stripped sandworm). There simply isn’t a dull moment.—D.W.

Where to watchBeetlejuice: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

In The Loop(2009)

Mimi Kennedy as Karen Clark and James Gandolfini as Lt. Gen. George Miller in 'In the Loop'Credit: Nicola Dove/IFC Films/Everett

Two words: Armando Iannucci. As fans ofVeepalready know, the man has a serious way with political comedy… the darker, the better. An offshoot of his excellent BBC TV seriesThe Thick of It,In the Loopis like a nastier version ofTheWest Wingafter 100 pots of coffee. The film, featuring Steve Coogan andJames Gandolfini, winningly depicts a bumbling U.S. government running headlong into a Middle East war.As EW’s critic lamented, "In the Loopinvites its audience tothink, and presumes a certain love ofMonty Python. Not to mention an appreciation ofDr. Strangelove.” (See No. 1 on our list.)—D.W.

Where to watchIn the Loop: AMC+

After Hours(1985)

Griffin Dunne as Paul Hackett and Rosanna Arquette as Marcy Franklin in 'After Hours'Credit: Warner Bros.

What would happen ifMartin Scorsesedirected a neo-noir screwball comedy about a corporate yuppie’s ill-fated night in New York City? You’d getAfter Hours, an underrated ‘80s movie featuring some of the decade's brightest talents. Griffin Dunne stars as Paul Hackett, a hapless word processor who attempts to woo a woman he meets in a coffee shop, only to spend the rest of the film paying for it.

Part of a subgenre of Reagan-era films known as the “yuppie nightmare cycle” — similar movies includeDesperately Seeking Susan(1985), Blue Velvet(1986),andFatal Attraction(1987) —After Hoursisn’t as well known asThe King of Comedy(1982), but it should be. InAfter Hours, Scorsese takes the same frantic approach he uses with his crime thrillers to create a fast-moving black comedy. —I.G.

Where to watchAfter Hours: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

The Royal Tenenbaums(2001)

(From left to right): Luke Wilson as Richie Tenenbaum, Gwyneth Paltrow as Margot Tenenbaum, Gene Hackman as Royal Tenenbaum, Grant Rosenmeyer as Ari Tenenbaum (holding Buckley), Ben Stiller as Chas Tenenbaum, Jonah Meyerson as Uzi Tenenbaum, Anjelica Huston as Etheline Tenenbaum, Danny Glover as Henry Sherman, and Kumar Pallana as Pagoda in ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’Credit: James Hamilton/Disney

The Royal Tenenbaumsfeels vintage in the best way, like something unearthed from our collective consciousness. With its beautifully obsessive, antiqued look — from the color palette to the precision-centered cinematography — its blink-and-you'll-miss-it doll house details aren't just there to look pretty. Under the exquisite surface is something quite moving, a grieving family grappling with the kinds of big, swirling, complicated feelings that make life hard and art great.Perhaps EW’s critic said it best: "[T]he Tenenbaum children are precocious and extraordinary, yet not protected from unhappiness by their own gifts."—D.W.

Where to watchThe Royal Tenenbaums: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

Some Like It Hot(1959)

Tony Curtis as Joe and Marilyn Monroe as Sugar in 'Some Like It Hot'Credit: Richard C. Miller/Donaldson Collection/Getty

This whiz-bang, cross-dressingly chaotic flick is as fresh now as it was in 1959 — but hey, writer-director Billy Wilder (1950'sSunset Boulevard) wasn't called a genius for nothing. Two musicians (dynamic duo Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis) go full drag while on the run from the Mob (seeing their distinct takes on "feminine" is just one of the joys here) and hop on a train full of traveling female musicians (an all-woman band complete withMarilyn Monroeplaying the band’s singer and ukulele player).

No wallflowers here; the women are brash, brassy, and refreshingly bold. And while the on-screen action is champagne for the senses, irrepressibly bubbly and bright, its themes are on the serious side, dabbling in desperation, reinvention, and forgiveness. Everyone in this film has got a con (or five), lying and cheating non-stop, but Wilder doesn't pass judgment.—D.W.

Where to watchSome Like It Hot: Tubi

Pink Flamingos(1972)

Danny Mills as Crackers and Divine as Divine in 'Pink Flamingos'Credit: Everett Collection

Predating trash culture, reality TV competitions, true crime obsessions, and evenJackass(see: Divine's dog poop snack),John Waters’ masterpiece of filth is something you have to see to believe (unfortunately, finding it can be a bit of a challenge). PerhapsEW’s critic said it best,in honor of the 25th anniversary, declaring it hilarious, shocking, and scary: "The film has lost none of its danger, its wit, its psychotic exuberance…Pink Flamingosstill stands as the purest, most joyful jolt of outrage in movie history."—D.W.

Pink Flamingosis currently not available to stream.

Network(1976)

Peter Finch as Howard Beale in 'Network'Credit: Everett

Networkis the story of veteran news anchor Howard Beale’s (Peter Finch) on-air mental breakdown, a decline that is exploited by executives at the Union Broadcasting System. Screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky usesNetworkto express the outrage Americans felt over issues like Watergate and the Vietnam War; to paraphrase the film, people were mad as hell, and they weren’t going to take it anymore.

Networkhas been rightfully criticized for its portrayal of Arabs, but the film’s other themes — the rise of reality TV, the media’s exploitation of celebrities, the prioritization of ratings above all else — now seem like prophecies. The acting is also great:EW ranked Peter Finch’s performanceas Howard Beale number 11 on our list of the 30 most memorable Best Actor-winning performances.—I.G.

Where to watchNetwork: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

Harold and Maude(1971)

Bud Cort as Harold and Ruth Gordon as Maude in 'Harold and Maude'Credit: FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty

An outsider romance peppered with gallows humor and bubbling over with giddy optimism,Harold and Maudeis a life-affirming, weirdly wonderful film about a rich kid with a death wish and his love affair with an exuberant 79-year-old woman. Fans of Wes Anderson will appreciate this for vibes alone, from the sweetCat Stevenssoundtrack to the autumn in New York color palette. A big bomb upon release (perhaps not surprisingly, given the love scene and the numerous over-the-top suicide enactments), it’s now considered a beloved cult classic — and the ideal expression of director Hal Ashby's shaggy, unconventional, open-hearted storytelling.—D.W.

Where to watchHarold and Maude: YouTube

Ruthless People(1986)

Judge Reinhold as Ken Kesller, Bette Midler as Barbara Stone, and Helen Slater as Sandy Kessler in 'Ruthless People'Credit: Buena Vista/Everett

On the lighter end of the dark comedy spectrum,Ruthless Peopleis an utter joy from beginning to end, a mid-80s classic that still sparkles today. Silly? Super, but with a pure heart, and real…you know,feelingsat its core. Danny DeVito plays a scheming, no-good husband whose treatment of his brassy wife (a divineBette Midler) has you rooting for the kidnappers (soft-spoken rays of sunshine, Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater) who snatch her for ransom. Midler's creative, extremely DIY basement "gym" (and her resulting mental and physical glow up!) remains one of the funniest, most unexpectedly heartwarming character transformations of that era.—D.W.

Where to watchRuthless People: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

Adaptation(2002)

Nicolas Cage as Charlie Kaufman and Nicolas Cage as Donald Kaufman in 'Adaptation'Credit: Columbia Pictures

If you're looking for a movie that requires all of your undivided, phone-down attention, let us introduce you toAdaptation.Nicolas Cageis perfectly cast as a tortured, frumpy, socially awkward screenwriter (is there any other kind?) AND said screenwriter's twin brother, whose ham-handed, more commercial attempts at writing pays off infuriatingly well. And that's the whole thing…oh, wait. Did you forget this is a Kaufman joint? Yes, there is a SECOND film nested within the first, starring a little-known actress (Meryl Streep) playing a real-life writer (Susan Orleans) and reenacting her famed, flower-hunting non-fiction tale (The Orchid Thief).—D.W.

Where to watchAdaptation: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

What We Do in the Shadows(2014)

Jemaine Clement as Vladislav in 'What We Do in the Shadows'Credit: The Orchard/Madman Entertainment

The mix of deadpan New Zealand humor and horror is a winning combo in this mockumentary about a vampire clan that later spawned an equally electric FX show of the same name. Birthed from the wryly funny, slightly twisted minds ofJemaine ClementandTaika Waititi,What We Do in the Shadowstakes a fresh approach to its ancient subject matter, applying a blasé, almost bland,Real World-meets-Guffmanapproach to the inherently dramatic vamp lifestyle. Flashes of shocking violence (after all, a guy's gotta eat) present tonal shifts that work brilliantly, while an inherent sweetness (that ending!) keeps things relatable for us soft-hearted humans.—D.W.

Where to watchWhat We Do in the Shadows: Apple TV (to rent)

Heathers(1988)

Winona Ryder as Veronica Sawyer, Kim Walker as Heather Chandler, Lisanne Falk as Heather McNamara, and Shannon Doherty as Heather Duke in 'Heathers'Credit: New World Pictures/Everett

No one did edgy teen comedy, ‘80s style, better than the Winona Ryder–Christian Slaterdream team. And no one ever will again, becauseHeathersis a (wonderfully) problematic time capsule. Is Slater's Jason Dean just a gaslighter in James Dean's clothing? Yes. Are we surprised that a teen suicide satire didn't age well? Nope. But that's what a good dark comedy can do: Make you squirm as you laugh. The dialogue is whip-smart, crackling, and basically unprintable here, so you'll just have to check it out for yourself. (And if the use of red lighting, fire, and smoke doesn't convince you this is a comedy leaning hard into horror, the murders will.)—D.W.

Where to watchHeathers: Amazon Prime Video

Withnail and I(1987)

Richard E. Grant as Withnail and Paul McGann as Marwood in 'Withnail and I'Credit: Cineplex-Odeon Pictures/Everett

This charmingly shaggy, extremely British, incredibly boozy tale, based on writer-director Bruce Robinson’s own experiences, follows the exploits of two unemployed actors (an iconicRichard E. Grantand his patient beyond measure roomie/enabler, Paul McGann) who’ve “gone on holiday by mistake.” The movie gifts us with the most memorably messed-up train wreck in all creation: Grant's Withnail, an indelible, sallow-faced cocktail of pity, pomposity, and gin. A celebration of horrible flats, youthful cluelessness, and wide-eyed (if not idiotic) innocence, the film captures a brief snapshot in the timeline of these men's lives. Like the best dark comedies, its emotional gut-punch (in this case, near the end) isn't sentimental but happens organically, catching you by surprise.—D.W.

Where to watchWithnail and I: HBO Max

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb(1964)

Peter Sellers as Dr. Strangelove in 'Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb'Credit: Everett

As the film that (many would argue) both defined and perfected dark comedy as a form, placingDr. Strangeloveat the top of our list was a no-brainer. Comments fromStanley Kubrickrevealing his inspiration for the film — the threat of nuclear destruction was just too wild to present as anythingbuta comedy — could also serve as a thesis statement for the entire genre. Overflowing with powerhouse performances from Sterling Hayden, George C. Scott, and, of course, Peter Sellers (in no less than three roles: President Muffley, Capt. Lionel Mandrake, and Dr. Strangelove himself), the movie’s humor works because it isn’t apparent to those who inhabit it.

“People trying to be funny are never as funny as people trying to be serious and failing. The laughs have to seem forced on unwilling characters by the logic of events. A man wearing a funny hat is not funny. But a man who doesn’t know he’s wearing a funny hat…ah, now you’ve got something,” Roger Ebertwrote in his 1999 review of the film. “The characters inDr. Strangelovedo not know their hats are funny.”—D.W.

Where to watchDr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

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Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

The 34 best dark comedies of all time

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Kim Kardashian makes her Broadway producing debut with the criminal justice play 'The Fear of 13'

NEW YORK (AP) —Kim Kardashianis adding to her resume the title of Broadway producer.

Associated Press

The reality TV star and entrepreneur has signed on to help produce the play “The Fear of 13,” about the true story of Nick Yarris, a man who spent more than two decades on death row for a murder he insists he did not commit.

“My commitment to criminal justice reform has always been about more than just policy — it’s about people. I’ve learned that sometimes the most effective way to change minds is through a powerful story. 'The Fear of 13' is that story,” she said in a statement.

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Kardashian has in the past few years used her spotlight to shine a light on the wrongfully convicted. She has gone to the White House during President Donald Trump's first term and during President Joe Biden's term to lobby for criminal justice reform and the president'sclemency powers.

Kardashian lobbied Trumpto commute the life sentence of Alice Marie Johnson, who spent more than 20 years in prison for drug offenses.Johnson was released in June 2018and later, in August 2020, received a full pardon from Trump and had her rights restored.

“The Fear of 13,” written by Lindsey Ferrentino, stars Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson, and is directed by Tony Award-winner David Cromer. Opening night is set for Wednesday.

Kim Kardashian makes her Broadway producing debut with the criminal justice play 'The Fear of 13'

NEW YORK (AP) —Kim Kardashianis adding to her resume the title of Broadway producer. The reality TV star and entrepreneur has sig...

 

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