While I just can’t do straight horror out of fear that I’ll be left with nightmares for weeks on end—coupled with an intense queasiness that lasts months on end—I just can’t resist a shockingly good horror comedy. Here are just a few that I highly recommend checking out if you need a good laugh and also just a mild scare…
*note: links of where to watch included with all 8 picks.
1. ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2014)
Taika Waititi in “What We Do in the Shadows.” (Photo: Unison Films).
A horror comedy classic that you can watch with your brain shut off (definitely keep your ears open for the jokes though). Marked by the signature brand of Kiwi humour that made Jemaine Clement and co-Writer Taika Waititi a household name, “What We Do in the Shadows,” initially began life as a string budget short film (still available on YouTube), before it was adapted into a moderate budget feature film.
The movie features a group of vampires, namely Viago, Vladislav, Deacon, and the reclusive Petyr, who all share a flat in Wellington. They are followed around by a mockumentary crew who records their daily routines-ranging from their interactions with each other, with inquisitive police officers or even with their unsuspecting prey (case in point, the iconic bisgetti scene). It also moves on to their roadside squabbles with their sworn rivals, the werewolves/swearwolves, and their alpha leader Anton.
Viewers are also treated to scenes of the vampires arguing over a chore chart, as well as hitting the town for a taste of the nightlife only to hilariously (and unsuccessfully) end up begging the bouncers to be invited inside the nightclub! The movie is also peppered with some poignant moments such as Viago pining for the love of his life, Katherine, a human woman from whom he is separated due to an unfortunate postal error.
The Movie’s Fun; and So is the Hulu Series
Filled with jokes and gags that are largely improvised, the movie also boasts of a cast of non-actors whom Waititi and Clement befriended during their time on the New Zealand comedy circuit. This includes long-time collaborator and seasoned comedian Rhys Darby, which is just one of the many aspects that have further led to its cult status.
And if you’re still craving for more vampiric shenanigans, there’s always the long-running Hulu spinoff series to check out with its new additions, familiar faces from the original occasionally popping up in as cameos, and homages and callbacks to the movie. It also includes celebrity guest stars galore added to the mix for an even more bloody fun and simultaneously light-hearted, stupendously silly experience.
*”What We Do in the Shadows” is currently available to watch on Apple TV or other streaming services.
2. ‘Stree’ (2018)
Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao in “Stree.” (Photo: DR2 Films).
A wronged and misunderstood witch named Stree returns from the grave to abduct the men of Chanderi village during their annual nightly festivities. When local tailor Vicky finds his circle of friends being targeted, he must take matters into his own hands with the help of an eccentric occultist. However, a mysterious woman enters his life at the same time; and as a lovestruck Vicky finds himself drawn to her, doubt also fills his mind over whether she could be the titular Stree who haunts the village.
A clever and laugh-out-loud blend of urban legend, horror comedy, and social commentary, “Stree” doesn’t take the piss out of feminism, but rather emphasizes its pertinence. This is especially true in a narrow-minded society where women are ostracized, objectified, or subjected to witch hunts in the media. While the social messages resonate and the comedy hits all the right spots making it worthy of a rewatch, the movie also boasts of some spine chilling moments while also avoiding the cliched jumpscare routine.
*”Stree” is currently available to watch on Google Play or iTunes.
3. ‘Ghosts’ (TV Series; 2019-present)
A scene from the U.K. TV series, “Ghosts.” (Photo: BBC/Button Hall Productions/Mark Johnson).
To be fair, I haven’t watched the recent U.S. remake of “Ghosts” as yet, so I’ll mainly be focusing on the original U.K. version of this show that has my heart in its cold and deathly grip.
This show feels like a ghostly British love child of “Beetlejuice” and “What We Do in the Shadows,” and features a great mix of endearing but simultaneously annoying characters (both living and dead). It follows Alison and Mike, a broke millennial couple who strike gold when they come in possession of a large manor. Happy to finally have a roof over their heads, the couple moves in immediately… But to Alison’s dismay, the manor comes fully furnished with a group of friendly ghosts who refuse to leave… And whom only she can see/talk to!
A Host of Lovable Characters
Each ghost also comes equipped with their own set of quirks and hail from various time periods—ranging from Robin the caveman who has a penchant for playing around with the lighting, Julian Fawcett, who’s a disgraced and semi-naked MP (much like a British Bill Clinton) and, a stern and closeted Captain from the Second World War who has a kink for fine leadership qualities. We also meet a polite scoutmaster, Pat, who met an untimely end during an archery session in the ’80s, Mary who’s a victim of witch trials, Thomas Thorne who’s the ghost of a Romantic poet (but who is funnily bad at flirting), and the chatty and amusing, but very lonely Kitty from the Georgian era.
Apart from jokes and gags that are genuine rib ticklers, there is also space in the show for some wholesome moments and charming character dynamics, and the delightful little pop culture references(both ancient and modern) as well as the thoroughly enjoyable plot-lines, backstories, etc. revolving around the ghostly inhabitants alone makes this show a hoot to sit through.
*”Ghosts” is currently available to watch on HBO Max, Vudu, Prime Video, or Apple TV.
4. ‘Young Frankenstein’ (1974)
A scene from Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein.” (Photo: Gruskoff/Venture Films).
A parody but also an homage to the Mary Shelley classic, “Young Frankenstein” is the brainchild of Mel Brooks, who has mastered the art of achieving just the right balance of dark humour. The film borders on explicit double entendres, silly shenanigans, and visual gags.
“Young Frankenstein” features characters that are exaggerated versions, as well as completely original spoofy takes on the source material. It features great performances from a cast with a knack for delivering the jokes in their own comedic stylings.
Gene Wilder plays his straight man role to perfection as the insecure and no-nonsense Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (oddly pronounced as ‘Fronkenshteen’) and Teri Garr lands him oodles of support. She plays Inga, who is a spoof of a vaguely European damsel in distress trope crossed with a blonde bombshell trope. She enjoys rolls in the hay and easily wins over the good doctor with her charm and delightfully whimsical energy (I’ve long considered Garr’s personality reminiscent to Lisa Kudrow and here too, her ‘Kudrow-esque’ energy is off the charts!).
A High Recommend for Mel Brooks Fans
I have to admit though, that the show-stealer is indeed Marty Feldman who doesn’t miss a beat as Igor, and the comedian’s ad-lib skills are on full display at certain intervals in the movie. How anybody managed to keep a straight face while Feldman delivered his lines and pulled his silly faces during filming is beyond me! Cloris Leachman adds a creepy touch as Frau Blucher, the enigmatic housekeeper who also doubles as a threat to horses everywhere. Meanwhile, Peter Boyle turns in a formidable performance as the terrifying yet misunderstood Fronkenshteen monster.
Highly recommended for Mel Brooks fans (but also for anyone who enjoy rolls in the hay), as well as for the experience to witness a once in a lifetime performance by a manic scientist and his monstrous creation putting their best foot forward to the tune of “Putting on the Ritz.”
*”Young Frankenstein” is currently available to watch on HBO Max or Direct TV.
5. ‘Truth Seekers’ (Amazon, 2020)
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in “Truth Seekers.” (Photo: Amazon Studios).
“Truth Seekers” is a short-lived British series reminiscent to “Ghostbusters,” but if “Ghostbusters” was set in a small English town. It is funny and entertaining as well as a highly engrossing watch that revolves around a trio of ghost hunters led by Nick Frost (of Cornetto Trilogy fame) who plays Gus, a broadband installer who dabbles in ghost-hunting and records a YouTube vlog about his adventures on the side. Together with coworker Elton John (no, not the famous one) and a hitchhiker named Astrid, Gus finds himself tasked with taking down an evil cult leader who is hellbent on world domination.
Many of the side characters in the show also come equipped with serious emotional baggage which makes it easy to root for them during their quest. The show also balances out the comedy by touching upon serious recurring themes such as grief and loss. It also features some pretty suspenseful moments that’ll keep viewers on their toes and is easily one of my favourite horror-comedies, albeit one that was axed way too early.
*You can currently watch “Truth Seekers” on Amazon Prime.
6. ‘Death Becomes Her’ (1992)
Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep in “Death Becomes Her.” (Photo: Universal Pictures).
As a child, this movie befuddled me. As a twenty-something, I’m still befuddled by it. It’s not even because of its bizarre concept of two very attractive, successful women fighting for a potion that grants them eternal youth. That is something which I can easily get behind by suspending my sense of disbelief. It’s more so the idea of the two leading ladies, starlet Madeline Ashton and her frenemy Helen Sharp (played effortlessly by Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn respectively)—fighting over and legit tearing each other’s hair out over a dull and unfaithful bore of a man called Dr. Ernest Menville (Bruce Willis)—someone not even likable or charming enough to be considered a ‘catch’… Now, that, I just won’t buy!
Thankfully, this movie is marketed less as a rom-com and works better as a dark comedic satire. Its themes have aged like fine wine as it tackles all that’s wrong with society: from consumerism, to over-indulgence and over-reliance on material desires, as well as the brainwashing propagated by media houses and cosmetic industries alike in peddling unhealthy beauty standards and ideals such as achieving the perfect taut skin to the general public. No matter how deliberately flawed the characters are and how befuddling their motivations may seem, “Death Becomes Her” is a must-watch simply because of the non-preachy, creative as well as campy and often gruesome fashion (there are moments of body horror interspersed with the hilarity, particularly in the climax) with which it dissects all of the aforementioned issues.
Ultimately it also ends with the message that sometimes it isn’t beauty, power, or lust that keeps one young and happy, but true friendship.
*You can currently watch “Death Becomes Her” on most streaming services.
7. ‘Out of the Dark’ (1995)
Stephen Chow in a scene from “Out of the Dark.” (Photo: Cosmopolitan Film Productions).
While I’m an ardent fan of Stephen Chow’s work and his brand of humour known as ‘Mo lei tau,’ this underappreciated gem certainly went unnoticed even by me up until recently. It’s also the only horror comedy in Chow’s overall impressive filmography, which is highly unfortunate because his absurd style of humour definitely seems to work wonders when paired with this particular genre.
“Out of the Dark” is definitely a morbid yet funny, oddball offering by Chow that hooks viewers with its premise of a zany and fearless protagonist Leo and his equally zany and bold sidekick, both of whom are modeled after the lead pair in Leon the Professional, as they team up with a group of perverted security guards to tackle evil spirits haunting an apartment complex.
A Film with Brilliant Parodies of Genre Horror
A self-proclaimed and aloof exorcist who escapes an asylum after being lodged there for ‘not being afraid of a damn thing,’ Leo also paints himself as an immortal figure. His methods of ghost busting range from him using a potted lily plant as a divining rod, to even hilariously scolding a potentially dangerous, possessed individual, simultaneously holding them at knife point and forcing them to call up their family to apologise for their spooky behaviour! He will also go to “Looney Tunes” levels of extra and extreme, such as literally blowing himself up, not once but thrice after underestimating the dangers of a lit firecracker.
Furthermore the movie also brilliantly parodies scenes from timeless horror classics such as “Ringu” and slasher films. It also features scenes that will most certainly leave you with trust issues around your microwave, television set, as well as elevator. You’ve been warned…
*”Out of the Dark” is currently available to watch on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Apple iTunes, Microsoft Store as download or rent it on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Microsoft Store, Apple iTunes online
8. ‘Phillauri’ (2017)
A scene from “Phillauri.” (Photo: Clean Slate Films).
In the past, actor Anushka Sharma who also heads her own production company, Clean Slate Filmz, has proved that the horror genre in Bollywood can be transformed into something unique and meaningful. She also believes this can be done without the clichéd jump-scares. And despite the presence of supernatural elements, she proves the genre can also be utilised to address regressive issues that have set India backwards for centuries, particularly plaguing men and women alike. Instances of the same can be witnessed in her 2020 outing “Bulbbul“—as well as 2018’s “Pari” and yet again, via the beautifully-crafted horror comedy “Phillauri.”
“Phillauri” follows Shashi, a feisty but friendly ghost as well as a talented poetess from the 1900s who never received due diligence during her lifetime as a result of an overprotective brother. She can best be likened to a homegrown ‘Corpse Bride.’ After the ancient tree in which she resides is chopped down during a ritual, Shashi ends up haunting a young man named Kanan. He himself is the victim of said ritual that was performed by his superstitious relatives in order to appease the Gods and to ensure his post-marital happiness—even though he feels trapped and indecisive by the very thought of marriage.
A Spirited Fairytale Romance
More so amusing and witty rather than downright slapstick, “Phillauri” definitely leaves a smile on one’s face and particularly a lasting impression. This is due to its unique take on arranged marriage in the 21st Century from the perspective of both the bride and groom, while simultaneously shedding light on the mutual sacrifices required to prolong a relationship. The movie must also be lauded for its tasteful depiction of a real-life historical event that is woven into its humorous, wholesome, and literally spirited fairytale romance.
*”Phillauri” is currently only available to watch in India on Disney+ Hotstar.
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