The Gentlemen: 7 dark comedy action thrillers to add to your watchlist

British filmmaker Guy Ritchie is stepping into the world of television with the Netflix series The Gentlemen, starring Theo James. It is a spin-off to Ritchie’s 2019 film of the same name, and the series revolves around a man who unwittingly inherits a massive marijuana empire. The series promises Ritchie’s trademark dark comedy and pulsating action sequences. So for today’s List Hai Toh Hit Hai podcast, we take a look at some of the best dark comedy action thrillers available on streaming platforms.

The Boys - Prime Video

The satirical superhero series has found immense popularity in recent years with its dark humour, explicit gore and violence, and gripping narrative. Developed by Eric Kripke, the series is an adaptation of the eponymous graphic novels created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Set in a world where superheroes are owned by powerful corporations, a group of people without powers decide to expose these superpowered beings who secretly indulge in crime and depravity. Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, and Erin Moriarty among others play pivotal roles in the series.

The Nice Guys - OTTplay Premium

The underrated Shane Black film, The Nice Guys, stars Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling in lead roles. It tells the story of Healy, played by Crowe, who is hired by a young woman to intimidate a private detective who is investigating her. The detective, played by Gosling, is eventually forced to team up with the tough no-nonsense Healy when the young woman goes missing. The film features excellent performances by the lead stars as well as a few compelling performances by the supporting cast, which include Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, Margaret Qualley, Keith David, and Kim Basinger. The perfect blend of dark humour, a gripping story, and subtle yet riveting action make The Nice Guys a compelling watch.

Kingsman: The Secret Service - Disney+ Hotstar

Adapted from the graphic novel by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, the 2015 movie Kingsman: The Secret Service narrates the tale of a covert spy organisation dedicated to maintaining global peace. British actor Taron Egerton slips into the role of Eggsy, who is recruited by the organisation to stop a megalomaniacal billionaire's plans to eliminate a large portion of the human population. The billionaire, played by Samuel L Jackson. is disillusioned into believing that his genocide will solve the issues surrounding climate change. Egerton and Jackson are joined by a star-studded cast that includes Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Michael Caine, Sofia Boutella, and Sophie Cookson. The film showcases high-tech gadgets, memorable action sequences, and excellent dark humour that satirises the James Bond franchise.

Tropic Thunder - Prime Video, JioCinema

Tropic Thunder, helmed by Ben Stiller is a cult classic film featuring a star-studded ensemble. The film leans on an unconventional narrative and extravagant set pieces. Stiller also stars in this action-comedy, which offers an engaging screenplay, nail-biting action sequences, and hilarious dark humour. Set in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, the narrative follows a group of actors who are compelled to become the characters they are playing when adversity arrives during the filming. Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr. Steve Coogan, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, and Tom Cruise among others essay prominent roles in the film.

Deadpool - Disney+ Hotstar

The 2016 superhero action-comedy Deadpool is a blockbuster starring Ryan Reynolds in the lead as the iconic Marvel anti-hero, Deadpool. The film captures the essence of the comic book character with elements like dark humour, gore, and violence. The plot revolves around the titular character Deadpool aka Wade Wilson, who is permanently disfigured after a cure is recommended by the villainous Ajax. Deadpool decides to seek vengeance against those who wronged him in typical fashion – with guns and katana swords. Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T. J. Miller, Gina Carano, and Brianna Hildebrand play prominent roles in this Tim Miller directorial.

Peacemaker - JioCinema

Peacemaker is a spin-off to James Gunn’s DC film The Suicide Squad. The R-rated action comedy stars John Cena in the lead as the titular anti-hero. The series explores the complexity of Peacemaker’s character as he joins a new team formed by Amanda Waller, played by Viola Davis, to investigate reports of an extraterrestrial invasion. The series offers plenty of laughs, brutal action sequences, and intriguing characters. James Gunn returns to helm the series and it also stars Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick.

Hot Fuzz  (MX Player, Google Play, Apple TV)

A part of Edgar Wright's iconic Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost reunite for the action-comedy Hot Fuzz. The satirical film incorporates scintillating action, Wright's clever editing, and a healthy dose of very dark humour. Released in 2007, this genre-redefining film established a benchmark that remains unmatched. It revolves around a very capable police officer who is transferred to a remote region, only to discover that the quaint town has a few sinister secrets.

Well that's all for this episode, until the next one it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Written by Ryan Gomez

Listen to more OTTplay List Hai Toh Hit Hai podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.