10 Quirky Comedies From A24 That Mix Humor and Heart

A24 is known for producing films that blend unique storytelling with rich emotional depth. Their quirky comedies stand out by mixing humor with heartfelt moments, often exploring complex characters and unexpected relationships. These films balance lighthearted laughs with meaningful themes, making them unforgettable and impactful. Whether through absurd premises or relatable situations, A24’s comedies capture the charm of finding humor in life’s most challenging moments.

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Lady Bird (2017)

A24’s Lady Bird is a standout film that captures the bittersweet journey of adolescence. Directed by Greta Gerwig, it follows Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson as she struggles to balance her desire for independence with her complicated relationship with her mother. The film’s humor shines through in its sharp, witty dialogue and relatable high school experiences, such as Lady Bird’s antics with friends and classmates. These moments of levity are balanced with the film’s emotional depth, making the viewer laugh while also reflecting on the complexities of growing up.

Beyond the humor, Lady Bird offers a heartfelt exploration of family dynamics and self-identity. The emotional tension between Lady Bird and her mother, played by Laurie Metcalf, is both raw and genuine, capturing the nuances of mother-daughter relationships. The film captures how love, in its many forms, is sometimes messy and difficult but ultimately rewarding. Lady Bird remains a poignant coming-of-age story with a perfect mix of humor and heart.

The Farewell (2019)

The Farewell, directed by Lulu Wang, is a comedy-drama that explores the intersection of culture, family, and identity. The film follows Billi, a Chinese-American woman, who returns to China with her family under the pretense of a wedding to spend time with their beloved grandmother, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The humor in the film often comes from the awkwardness of the family trying to keep the secret from their grandmother, leading to several hilarious cultural misunderstandings. However, the laughs are never cheap, as the film thoughtfully delves into the emotional cost of deception and the complexities of familial love.

At its core, The Farewell is a touching portrayal of family bonds and the universal experience of saying goodbye. While the comedy keeps the tone light at times, the emotional resonance is undeniable. The film examines the different ways people cope with grief, with Billi’s struggle between her Western upbringing and her family’s Chinese traditions adding layers to her internal conflict. This combination of humor and heartfelt moments makes The Farewell a standout in A24’s catalog, balancing cultural exploration with a deeply emotional family story.

Eighth Grade (2018)

Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade is a candid and often hilarious portrayal of adolescence, focusing on Kayla Day, a shy and awkward 13-year-old navigating her final days of middle school. The film’s humor comes from the relatable social faux pas and uncomfortable situations that Kayla faces as she tries to find her place in the world. It’s a perfect mix of awkward, cringe-worthy moments paired with Kayla’s genuine attempts to be more confident and popular. The film’s humor feels grounded in the reality of being a teenager, capturing the small but significant moments that make up adolescence.

Despite its humor, Eighth Grade also captures the emotional vulnerability and anxiety that come with this transformative period. Kayla’s internal struggle, portrayed through her vlogs and interactions with others, reveals her deep desire to fit in, even as she struggles with self-acceptance. The film highlights how growing up can be both funny and painful, with Burnham’s careful direction allowing the humor to coexist with poignant moments. It’s a powerful look at the challenges of growing up in a digital age, making it a comedic yet sincere film.

The Disaster Artist (2017)

The Disaster Artist tells the story of the making of The Room, widely regarded as one of the worst films ever made. Directed by James Franco, the film is both a tribute to and a comedy about Tommy Wiseau’s obsessive and bizarre efforts to bring his film to life. The humor comes from the absurdity of the production process, with Franco’s portrayal of Wiseau perfectly capturing his eccentricities and unrelenting determination. While the film is filled with moments of genuine comedy, it also shows a deeper layer of human vulnerability, exploring Wiseau’s desire for success and his complicated personality.

As the film progresses, it moves from a comedic exploration of Wiseau’s oddities to a surprisingly heartfelt look at friendship. The bond between Wiseau and Greg Sestero, played by Dave Franco, becomes central to the story, highlighting the loyalty and ambition that drive both men, even if their paths are unconventional. The Disaster Artist blends its quirky humor with emotional depth, showcasing how passion, no matter how misguided, can lead to moments of unexpected personal connection. It’s a film that uses comedy to shine a light on the absurdities of filmmaking, while also paying tribute to the unlikely friendships that form in the process.

Swiss Army Man (2016)

Swiss Army Man, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, is one of the most unconventional comedies produced by A24. The film stars Paul Dano as Hank, a man stranded on a deserted island who befriends a dead body, played by Daniel Radcliffe. The humor comes from the absurdity of their interactions, especially as Hank uses the body in increasingly bizarre ways to survive. Despite the film’s outlandish premise, it blends quirky humor with an emotional narrative about loneliness and human connection. The film’s absurdity serves as a metaphor for the complexity of human relationships, with the comedy never overshadowing its deeper themes.

As the story unfolds, Swiss Army Man transforms from an absurd comedy into an unexpected exploration of friendship, self-worth, and acceptance. Hank’s relationship with the corpse, which he names Manny, becomes a vehicle for him to confront his feelings of isolation and inadequacy. The film, while filled with laugh-out-loud moments, also has an emotional core, turning what could have been a slapstick farce into a thoughtful meditation on the human need for connection. It’s an odd, yet heartwarming tale that mixes the strange with the sincere in a unique way.

A Ghost Story (2017)

A Ghost Story, directed by David Lowery, is a meditative exploration of grief and time, though it is often overshadowed by its hauntingly quiet tone. The film stars Casey Affleck as a ghost who returns to his home after his death, unable to move on from his past life. Though the film deals with heavy themes, it also contains moments of dry humor that arise from the absurdity of its premise. The character of the ghost, covered only by a white sheet with eyeholes, creates a strange visual that brings an unexpected charm to the film, even as it tackles deep emotional territory.

Despite its minimalist approach, A Ghost Story is an emotional reflection on the passage of time and the impermanence of life. The humor, while subtle, helps to break the somber mood, offering a sense of release amid the film’s existential themes. The film’s quiet yet poignant moments reveal how our connections to places, people, and memories define our experiences. This ability to blend humor with profound, introspective moments makes A Ghost Story a unique entry in A24’s filmography, providing an unexpected balance of humor and heart.

The Lobster (2015)

The Lobster, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, is a dark comedy that uses its absurd premise to explore the pressures of societal norms. In a dystopian future where single people are forced to find a romantic partner within 45 days or be turned into an animal, the film takes a satirical look at relationships and loneliness. The humor in The Lobster is deadpan and often uncomfortable, but it’s precisely this contrast between the absurdity of the world and the emotional desperation of the characters that makes it so impactful. The film’s strange yet deeply human premise offers a quirky exploration of love and conformity.

While the humor often feels uncomfortable, The Lobster is also a poignant commentary on human connection and the lengths people will go to conform to societal expectations. As the characters navigate the bizarre rules of their society, their emotional journeys bring an unexpected depth to the film. The film succeeds in mixing dark humor with a deeper commentary on the need for companionship and the human desire to belong. The Lobster blends absurdity with sincerity in a way that only A24 can, creating a film that’s both strange and meaningful.

In Fabric (2018)

In Fabric, directed by Peter Strickland, is a horror-comedy that mixes the eerie with the absurd, centered around a cursed dress that seems to wreak havoc on its owners. The film follows a department store worker who buys the dress, only to find that it brings strange and unsettling consequences. The humor comes from the bizarre characters and situations that arise from the dress’s curse, with Strickland’s dry, deadpan style adding an element of quirkiness to the dark tale. The film is absurd and surreal, yet its characters’ reactions to the strange events add humor to the unsettling narrative.

At its core, In Fabric explores the relationship between consumerism, desire, and the unknown. The humor in the film lightens the chilling atmosphere, but it never undercuts the film’s disturbing and eerie moments. The bizarre fashion world and its characters add layers to the storytelling, mixing quirky absurdity with deeper psychological tension. This mix of dark humor and unsettling themes makes In Fabric a unique film in A24’s catalog, blending horror with a touch of the ridiculous.

The Beach Bum (2019)

The Beach Bum, directed by Harmony Korine, is a comedic journey that follows Moondog, a free-spirited poet who lives a life of excess in Key West. Played by Matthew McConaughey, Moondog’s wild adventures are filled with oddball humor and eccentric characters. The film’s absurdity and laid-back tone allow it to explore the joy of living without restraint, creating a quirky, offbeat comedy that is both amusing and reflective. The humor is often crude and surreal, yet the film captures a sense of joy in living without boundaries, making it an unpredictable and fun ride.

Despite its oddities, The Beach Bum also contains moments of reflection on life’s meaning and the pursuit of happiness. Moondog’s carefree lifestyle, while comedic, serves as a metaphor for living authentically and unapologetically. The film balances its humor with a look at how people choose to define success and fulfillment, making it a quirky yet surprisingly heartfelt exploration of life’s complexities. It’s an odd blend of comedy and heart that stands out in A24’s filmography.

Moonlight (2016)

Moonlight, directed by Barry Jenkins, may not immediately strike one as a comedy, but its deeply human moments are infused with a quiet kind of humor. The film, which chronicles the life of Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami, explores his struggles with identity, love, and acceptance. The humor often comes from the subtle moments of connection between characters, such as Chiron’s tender relationship with his mother and his first experiences with love. These moments are quietly humorous but never undercut the emotional gravity of the film.

Despite its heavy themes, Moonlight finds space for humor in the small moments that speak to the human condition. The film’s sensitivity and richness allow the viewer to find joy even in its darkest moments. Moonlight mixes comedy with drama in a way that captures the complexities of life, making it one of A24’s most emotionally resonant films. It’s a poignant reminder that humor can exist even in the face of hardship, with laughter often coming in the form of vulnerability and connection.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.