Quentin Dupieux

Dry and absurd little comedy that keeps things very small. Poelvoorde and Ludig are amazing, Dupieux's direction is on point and the short running time makes sure the film doesn't overstay its welcome. This is not one of Dupieux's more outrageous efforts, but it's every bit as funny, witty and surprising as his other films.

The less you know about this film, the more fun it will be experiencing the absurdities it throws at you.

Where to even begin? The absurdist comedy of Dupieux has found its way to both genre and arthouse fans, a rare feat indeed. Smoking Causes Coughing is a dry parody of the Tokusatsu niche (think Power Rangers), but that doesn't even begin to describe what Dupieux has in store for his audience. A mix of monster cheese, wonky sci-fi, and horror rambles on, often reminiscent of the statement he made so eloquently in his breakthrough film Rubber: no reason. It's a small miracle his films find funding these days, it's a complete mystery how they find praise, but I'm not complaining. I love every single on of them.

And once again, Dupieux keeps his winning streak going. This film is a bit loopier than his most recent ones, with a story that doubles down on itself and spirals into absurdity. It's a fitting structure for a film about Dali, the famous absurdist painter. The performances are pleasantly self-aware, the cinematography a step up from Dupieux's earlier films, and the madness familiar but oh-so-gratifying. If you don't care for Dupieux's earlier work this won't be for you, but I'm amazed how he keeps reinventing himself within a narrow niche.

After a couple of films where Dupieux seemed to be fine-tuning and every so slightly downplaying the absurdity, Mandibles goes full retard once again. While the elevator pitch of this film sounds pretty insane, I think the real genius lies in the ways Dupieux normalizes the whole idea and tries to draw his laughs from other places. Weird, absurd and a total head scratcher, but it sure made me laugh. Out loud. But be warned, it's somewhat of an acquired taste.

No doubt Dupieux's film is going to reach a substantial audience based on its trailer and some good hype alone.

With Wrong Dupieux delivers a refreshing slice of absurd comedy that few other directors out there are able to match.

Dupieux seems unstoppable these days. He cranks out films at an impressive pace, and while they're all absurd comedies in some way or another, they never feel derivative or repetitive. Incredible But True forces two oddball storylines together, has a bit of fun testing the audience's patience, delivers a couple of perfect punchlines, and strides through the finale at a breakneck speed. A quirky soundtrack and some great performances seal the deal. Not one of his best films, but tons of fun regardless, and an easy recommendation for fans of Dupieux's other work.

Think Audition, because the first half is just a little underwhelming. There is some measure of absurdity present, but it feels a little tame and manageable. Then things spiral well out of control during the second half, which makes it all the more fun. Well acted and crazy, probably the most doofy serial killer flick ever.

This is a shorter/smaller Dupieux project, but even those turn out to be top-notch. The premise is simple and Dupieux makes sure not to stretch it beyond its limits. He goes for the laughs and adds a bit of reflection to it, and one hour later it feels like you've watched something truly unique and distinct, the kind of thing only Dupieux could bring to a good end. The performances are strong, the setup is powerful and the execution is spot on. It's not his best or most memorable work, but it fits well in his oeuvre and it offers exactly what you expect from a Dupieux film without feeling derivative. Good stuff.

Early Dupieux. His style is starting to shine through here, although it isn't as mad or absurd as his later work. There are some funny ideas, the actors are doing a good job and Dupieux's soundtrack is a definite asset, but it lacks the refinement and originality of the films that would raise his cult status.

A very early Quentin Dupieux (short) film. If you're a fan of the man's work it's definitely worth seeking out, as many of his signature elements are already present here. Still, it's all very rough and it's clear Dupieux was just testing the waters with this film, wondering whether this director business was something he'd like to pursue.