Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s South Park has remained on the forefront of popular culture since first touchdown on the TV display in 1997. Extra just lately, its critique of the Trump administration and the large billion-dollar deal to deliver the present to Paramount+ has made the present a hot-button subject. Whereas the present has not at all times targeted on present cultural points in comparison with its earlier seasons, it has at all times been marred by controversy as a consequence of its unapologetic strategy to comedy.
Capturing the identical essence as South Park, in any of its iterations, will be tough. Nonetheless, these 10 films provide up related absurdist or culturally related humor (generally each) of the long-lasting animated present.
‘Swiss Military Man’ (2016)
Everyman Hank (Paul Dano) finds himself stranded on a desert island, deciding to take his personal life after succumbing to loneliness and despair. But, a second earlier than he follows by means of, he makes contact with one other particular person, kind of. Stumbling upon the corpse of a person he names Manny (Daniel Radcliffe), Hank finds the braveness to maintain going due to his new companion. HManny’s capability to propel himself with the fuel constructed up in his physique additionally offers Hank a possible approach off the island.
Making Merry With a Farting Corpse
A splendidly weird premise that delivers sturdy comedy regardless of its many fart jokes, Swiss Military Man is a good companion piece for many who love South Park. Whereas the film would go considerably underappreciated on launch, the identical workforce behind All the pieces, In every single place, All at As soon as (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) ought to trace on the depth of worth to be discovered right here. Daniel Radcliffe might solely be taking part in a corpse. Nonetheless, it’s considered one of his greatest performances exterior of Harry Potter, and his pairing with the beloved Paul Dano is comedy perfection.
‘The Loopy Household’ (1984)
The Kobayashi household has lastly fulfilled the dream of acquiring middle-class standing, with a brand new dwelling after a few years of laborious work by its patriarch, Katsukuni. But, after they discover termites beneath their dwelling, Katsukini turns into obsessive about eliminating them, going so far as to destroy his dwelling. The chaos and new societal pressures on the household deliver a few collection of psychological breakdowns, resulting in a showdown between mom, father, son, daughter, and grandfather.
An Obsessed Father Brings the Downfall of a Family
Stan Marsh has turn out to be the quintessential misguided father determine, and The Loopy Household delivers an identical obsessed and misguided oddball in Katsukuni. Furthermore, the film has a pleasant construct into the absurd, with its closing moments a delirious, unforgettable chaos equally loopy as South Park’s most outrageous. The Japanese cult hit touches on broader points, together with the expectations positioned on the center class. It’s an unimaginable perversion of values that may nonetheless resonate with viewers of South Park regardless of this being the oldest movie on the record.
‘The In a single day’ (2015)
Alex (Adam Scott) and Emily (Taylor Schilling) are a married couple with a child whose latest transfer from LA to Seattle has left them feeling bored by their new home life. At a playground, they meet one other couple with a child, Kurt (Jason Schwartzman) and Charlotte (Judith Godrèche), and the 2 invite the pair to an in a single day celebration for them and their children. But, when the children go off to mattress, the evening turns into one lengthy, awkward social interplay as Kurt and Charlotte reveal their many weird vices.
Properly, That Was Awkward
The In a single day is stuffed with unbelievable little absurd reveals, like Jason Schwartzman’s Kurt having an obsession with portray buttholes, and there’s a treasure trove of silliness right here that South Park followers will admire. Phenomenal casting and loads of memorable moments, The In a single day is totally uncomfortable in one of the best sense.
‘Cecil B. Demented’ (2000)
Hollywood star Honey Whitlock (Melanie Griffith), a beloved Hollywood actress with a foul mood behind the scenes, is kidnapped by a bunch of renegade filmmakers. Led by the passionate Cecil B. Demented (Stephen Dorff) and the crew of cinematic outcasts often called the Sprocket Holes, they start to shoot his movie utilizing any means essential to get the shot. Honey, initially dismissive of the crew, progressively involves respect their strategies and turns into a keen participant.
“Hey, Hey, MPAA, How Many Motion pictures Did You Censor Immediately?”
The extremely quotable, punk-rock love letter to cinema from John Waters absolutely embraces freedom inside the arts, a core element of South Park’s ideology. The film is a bit preachy, however it’s stuffed with splendidly ridiculous nods to different filmmakers. Every member of the Sprocket Holes has a director tattooed onto them, and it’s so unapologetically crass that it ought to be a must-watch for followers of South Park.
‘Unhealthy Journey’ (2021)
After working into an previous crush, Chris (Eric André) decides he’s lastly going to make his transfer with a grand gesture of touring to see her at her subsequent artwork present. He ropes in his buddy Bud (Lil Rel Howery), and the 2 take a automobile belonging to Bud’s sister Trina (Tiffany Haddish). When Trina escapes from jail, she heads out to get her automobile again.
Actual Pranks in an Outrageous Buddy Comedy
Together with actual pranks paying homage to the Eric Andre Present, Unhealthy Journey is outrageous from begin to end. The boundary-pushing and social disruption of Andre’s comedy is well-suited for followers of South Park, making this a straightforward selection to take a look at.
‘R100’ (2013)
Salaryman Takafumi Katayama decides to enter right into a contract with a BDSM company that’s non-negotiable as soon as initiated and entails random domination by super-agents. As every interplay places him in a clumsy state of affairs and challenges his private {and professional} life, he begins to remorse the deal. Moreover, R100 incorporates a meta plot, as it’s supposed to be a movie inside a movie, starring a fictional 100-year-old director who calls for that the work can solely be considered by these 100 years or older.
Making a Deal To Be Harm and Belittled
A splendidly absurd situation leads to a collection of eccentric characters dominating the lifetime of a single man, in an idiotic determination he manufactured from his personal accord. The fixed abuse can be delivered with a level of fashion, turning a easy occasion like a dinner out with others right into a struggle towards a latex-clad lady seeking to embarrass and abuse him. It’s the kind of over-the-top silliness that aligns completely with South Park’s capability to faucet into extra absurd situations and characters.
‘Borat’ (2006)
The titular TV reporter from Kazakhstan, created by comic Sacha Baron Cohen, is distributed to the US to make a documentary about American tradition. Arriving in New York Metropolis alongside his producer, Borat’s quest is quickly derailed after he sees an advert by Pamela Anderson and decides he has to marry her. This journey throughout the state exposes Borat to many People, and lots of People to Borat, who’re politely (and generally angrily) perplexed by the outsider from one other nation.
A Critique of American Tradition
South Park has at all times provided a critique of American tradition, by no means siding solely with one social or political group/group. Maybe the closest to one of these intelligent exploration of many aspects of Americana is Sacha Baron Cohen, by means of his varied films and TV collection, led by a bunch of eccentric characters. All the films and collection are price trying out, however the preliminary Borat definitely had a way of surprise round it that captivated audiances.
‘Crumb Catcher’ (2023)
Newlyweds Leah (Ella Rae Peck) and Shane (Rigo Garay) are on their honeymoon after a marriage highlighted by awkward household interactions and private resentments. But, even worse, Shane, in a drunken state, turns into the sufferer of a duo, John (John Speredakos) and Rose (Lorraine Farris), who file him in a compromised place. Utilizing this leverage, the 2 drive themselves into the couple’s lives, making an attempt to get an funding in a product often called the Crumb Catcher, an absurd piece of equipment meant to assist clear the desk after a meal.
An Awkward Huckster of Ineffective Wares
Whereas Crumb Catcher’s comedic strategy is extra dry and reliant on cringe, John Speredakos’s greasy and eccentric salesman of a ineffective product looks like it might be proper at dwelling in an episode of South Park. The presentation of the titular crumb catcher can be one of many darkest and most absurd sequences in cinema. Marked by memorable performances, a darkish wit, and a build-up to a violent final result, Crumb Catcher is an indie movie that, regardless of not having an R score, would seemingly fall below it.
‘The Taint’ (2010)
An apocalypse triggered by contamination within the water provide, resulting in males turning violent towards ladies, resulting in the decline of humanity by means of turning the world right into a sausage fest. One of many few uninfected males, Phil O’Ginny, performed by author and director Drew Buloc, turns into the accomplice of one of many few survivors, Miranda, as they try and discover a sanctuary in a world overrun by violent males.
Unapologetic and Crass Horror Comedy
For those who love South Park due to its willingness to be controversial and crass, then The Taint will ship. There’s additionally ample gore and unusual deaths in The Taint, components that aren’t core to South Park, however they do love the odd, ridiculous, and painful loss of life. The film has some nice, absurd traces of dialogue, a trendy soundtrack, and explosive, sensible results that may appease those that love unapologetic and violent horror with a darkish wit to match. Technically unrated, the film touches on each taboo, and ultra-violence would have simply landed it an R-rating.
‘Cannibal! The Musical’ (1993)
Based mostly on the story of real-life legal Alfred Packer, the primary man hanged for cannibalism in the US, Cannibal! the Musical is Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s first function movie. Beginning as an expedition to seek out riches through the gold rush, a collection of unlucky occasions sees the jaded Packer lead a crew right into a collection of perilous occasions, dealing with starvation and finally turning violent. After all, it’s also a musical.
America’s Frontier, Blood, Snowmen, and Sing-Alongs
This selection could seem a bit apparent, given that it’s the identical creators behind South Park, however it’s usually missed when taking a look at Matt Stone and Trey Parker exterior their iconic collection. Cannibal! the Musical has the duo’s comedic wit and crude humor, alongside some infectious songs (“Shpadoinkle Day” is kind of the unforgettable earworm). Furthermore, it gives a enjoyable take a look at the place the 2 got here from earlier than reaching unparalleled success 4 years later with the debut of South Park.