Horror comedy is a fantastic genre that is often overlooked because many of the great horror comedies that have released in the last few years go straight to DVD and do not typically get a decent theater run. The reason we all love horror comedies is because it blends two great genres together into one film. They usually cross over into the black comedy genre where you get some very dark and humorous moments that you wouldn’t otherwise see in many other genres.
Washington Irving wrote a short story called The Legend of Sleepy Hollow which was regarded as “the first great comedy-horror story”. Since its release in 1820 every horror comedy story tries to do what it did so well, and that was to have you laughing one moment and scared the next. Evil Dead II is a prime example of a film that uses that formula so utterly perfect as is arguably the best horror comedy film ever made. Here is a short list of some great horror comedies that you might have missed.
Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer
Directed by Jon Knautz
Jon Knautz’s first feature film, Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer, is everything a fan of the horror comedy genre could ask for. Not only do we get some amazing practical effects but you get to see Robert Englund in one of his best roles in quite some time. Perhaps my favorite thing about the film is that there isn’t a single shot of CGI used in the entire film for any of the effects, and when you have a film that is totally centered around monsters that is some truly impressive filmmaking. Monster Slayer is the perfect throwback to the great 80′s horror films with it paying homage using entertaining and unforgettable characters, plenty of gore and of course its practical effects. This is only the first film featuring one of the coolest horror characters in quite some time, Jack Brooks, but I seriously hope we get to see much more of him. He’s the perfect kick-ass anti-hero who would make Ash from Evil Dead proud.
Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer is about Jack, who, as a child witnessed the brutal murder of his entire family. Now a young man struggling with everyday life with an annoying girlfriend, therapy sessions that aren’t helping, and night classes that mean nothing to him. After releasing an ancient curse Jack is forced to confront his old demons along with some new ones.
Dead Snow
Directed by Tommy Wirkola
Tommy Wirkola channels his inner Sam Raimi in Dead Snow and brings us a great Evil Dead spirited film with over the top gore and some truly hilarious moments. You wont find amazing acting here or a ground breaking story, but what you will find is a film that knows exactly how to entertain its audience. The great thing about the film is that as it moves along the more ridiculous it gets, which is the perfect way to set up a film like this. You never have time relax because the second you do someone is getting their eyes gouged out by a zombie. Dead Snow is full of cliches and cheap gore which only adds to its gloriously low budget style that makes this film a true cult classic. This isn’t a film for the average horror fan, instead it’s for those of you who can appreciate a film that doesn’t take itself seriously and is only their for pure entertainment. With one of the most insane endings in recent memory Dead Snow is the perfect example of a film just trying to have some gory fun.
Dead Snow centers around a ski vacation that goes horribly wrong for a group of unsuspecting medical students as they find themselves battling an unexpected monster: Zombie Nazis.
Severance
Directed by Christopher Smith
Severance isn’t your typical kind of horror film. Its use of gore and satirical comedic moments set it apart from many films in the genre. Severance goes from laugh-out-loud hilarious to some serious edge of your seat heart-pounding scares blending the two perfectly. This film is a bit different from many horror comedies because in most cases a horror comedy is either more funny than it is scary or the other way around. That isn’t the case with Severance, it’s not totally a comedy or a horror film, it fits in between those two worlds delivering one hell of a hilarious thriller. What stands out in this film is Smith’s blending of old-school humor with hardcore horror that gives the audience something that is purely unique.
The film doesn’t totally focus on the drama aspect of story telling, if you want to cry, go watch Schindler’s List. Instead, Severance would rather show you body parts than make you teary eyed.
During a team-building exorcise, Severance is about a group of sales representatives who are hunted down by psychopathic killers in the mountains.
Great post! I have yet to see any of these, but I’ve definitely heard good things about them, especially Dead Snow. Nazi zombies are probably the wildest idea put to screen in a long time, and I will have to check it out!
Dead Snow is simply cinematic genius. Anyone who says otherwise probably likes Tyler Perry movies.
lol! I agree 100%.
Great post…dead snow and severance really had everything I love about b-horror and black comedy. I also liked Peter Jackson’s 1992 zombie flick Dead Alive and the relatively unknown Doghouse which I took as a sort of satire about feminists vs misogynists in a throwdown between a group of guys and a town overrun with lady zombies. Really enjoy these posts, keep em’ comin
Thanks man! Peter Jackson’s Dead Alive is one of the most fun movies horror fans can watch, it’s one of my favorites. I have never seen Doghouse but I’m definitely going to check that out.
I must admit that I am guilty of having only seen, and owning, Dead Snow. That one is totally off the chain! Wait, do people still say that?
Damn that is very surprising! I don’t think people say that anymore, however, I think it could make a come-back.
I ahve never eared of Jack Brooks… Seems worth a try
Thanks for suggestion.
Yeah, no problem! Let me know what you think when you see it!
Damn you.
*adds another film to the Netflix queue* (Dead Snow)
Lol, let me know what you think once you get around to watching it!
I have Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer and it is awesome sauce; Englund was hilarious. Have heard of Dead Snow but yet to check it out.
LOst, Dead Snow is awesome. I have it on Blu-ray. Hey, rwhyan another one that is pretty damn funny is Tucker and Dale vs Evil.
yes that is super funny; thanks for the heads up jmount =)
Yes, dead snow is one of the more ridiculous horror films in a while. Tucker and Dale is absolutely awesome. A refreshing horror comedy that’s for sure.