The 8 best dark comedies of the 21st century

The essence of dark comedy is sending up the sacred or the unthinkable, often mocking or challenging social expectations. It’s the same kind of maneuver that the recent release “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” does with motherhood and director Stanley Kubrick’s classic “Dr. Strangelove” did for nuclear war. Filmmakers in the 21st century have gamely carried on Kubrick’s efforts to shine a light on society’s contradictions, none better than these eight dark comedies.

‘Bad Santa’ (2003) Bad Santa | Official Trailer (HD) - Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Lauren Graham | MIRAMAX - YouTube

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Billy Bob Thornton is Willie, a miserable, drunk, wise-cracking confidence man who poses as Santa with his partner, Marcus (Tony Cox), to execute a series of Christmas heists at department stores. Aft