In the House
2012France★ 7.26.5 pt match
What ties these together is figuring out who you are and longing. Both circle the same ground: class and money. Both move the same way too, dark comedy and escalating.
Burn After Reading
2008USALanguage: EnglishDirected by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen★ 6.7
When a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst falls into the hands of gym employees, Linda and Chad, they see a chance to make enough money for Linda to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo, and those in their orbit.
Themes and style
Tone
dark comedyabsurdistcold and detachedchaotic
Pacing
escalatingerratic
Story
con deceptionpursuitunraveling
Emotion
figuring out who you arelongingfeeling powerlessparanoia
Themes
class and moneycorrupt institutionsmen and women navigating expectations
Feel
discussion starterrewatchablegut punchcerebral
Violence
graphicWhere to watch
Foreign films like Burn After Reading
These foreign films share the same emotional core, themes, and structural feel as Burn After Reading. Every one of them has confirmed English subtitles or dubbing.
Look Who's Back
2015Germany★ 6.86.5 pt match
What ties these together is figuring out who you are. Both circle the same ground: corrupt institutions. Same energy: dark comedy, absurdist, and escalating.
The Man Who Copied
2003Brazil★ 7.56.5 pt match
Like Burn After Reading, this one is rooted in longing. The world both films live in revolves around class and money. Both move the same way too, dark comedy, absurdist, and escalating.
Carnage
2011France★ 7.25.5 pt match
Like Burn After Reading, this one is rooted in figuring out who you are. They share the same lens on class and money and men and women navigating expectations. Same energy: dark comedy, absurdist, and escalating.
Barking Dogs Never Bite
2000South Korea★ 6.85 pt match
Like Burn After Reading, this one is rooted in figuring out who you are and feeling powerless. The world both films live in revolves around class and money. Same energy: dark comedy, absurdist, and escalating.
Save the Green Planet!
2003South Korea★ 75 pt match
Both films sit with paranoia, figuring out who you are, and feeling powerless. They share the same lens on corrupt institutions and class and money. Same energy: dark comedy, absurdist, erratic, and escalating.
Man Bites Dog
1992Belgium★ 7.25 pt match
Both films sit with feeling powerless and figuring out who you are. The world both films live in revolves around class and money and corrupt institutions. The feel is the same: dark comedy, absurdist, and escalating.
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
1972France★ 7.55 pt match
Like Burn After Reading, this one is rooted in figuring out who you are and feeling powerless. The world both films live in revolves around class and money and corrupt institutions. The feel is the same: dark comedy, absurdist, and erratic.