This film is part of Rentals
The Darkest Universe
The new film from the makers of Black Pond is a wonderfully strange comedy about missing people, narrowboats and astrophysics.
Comedy 2016 87 mins
Director: Will Sharpe
Overview
The second feature from Will Sharpe and Tom Kingsley (Black Pond) is an uncategorisably strange comedy about absence and astrophysics; where houseboats meet the Heisenberg principle. Zac (Sharpe) is a short-tempered city trader drawn into a family mystery when his sister Alice (Tiani Ghosh, who co-wrote with Sharpe) and her fey boyfriend Toby (Joe Thomas) disappear while narrowboating through London’s canals.
Confronted with the distinct disinterest of Toby’s family and the police, Zac mounts his own homespun search operation, an increasingly futile quest that eventually extends to an underpowered social media campaign, blogging and bespoke merchandising. With its themes around loss, existence and insignificance Sharpe and Kingsley have crafted a curious, cosmic comedy from the unlikeliest of elements. Combining perfectly formed pathos with a host of wonderfully wry performances from its performers (which include Chris Langham), The Darkest Universe is both a hilarious British comedy a thought-provoking, visually arresting indie feature
strong language, infrequent sex referencesRelated
Comedy
Mandibles Mandibles
Fantasy 2020 77 mins Director: Quentin Dupieux
When Jean-Gab and Manu find a giant fly trapped in the boot of a car, they decide to train it in the hope of making a ton of cash.
The Toll The Toll
Comedy 2020 83 mins Director: Ryan Hooper
Michael Smiley plays a criminal hiding out at the quietest toll booth in Wales, in this irresistibly clever and darkly-comic crime caper.
Runaway Railway Runaway Railway
Children's 1965 55 mins Director: Jan Darnley-Smith
A pre-Porridge Ronnie Barker plays a dim-witted train robber up to no good in this steam-era comedy adventure for kids
I Never Cry I Never Cry
Comedy 2020 97 mins Director: Piotr Domalewski
Darkly comic Polish drama about a young woman who goes on a voyage of self-discovery in Ireland after her father unexpectedly passes away.
It Must Be Heaven It Must Be Heaven
Comedy 2019 102 mins Director: Elia Suleiman
Acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman returns with another deadpan take on life in exile that is typically assured and moving.
Black Bear Black Bear
Comedy 2020 106 mins Director: Lawrence Michael Levine
At a remote lake house, a filmmaker plays a calculated game of desire and jealousy in the pursuit of a work of art that blurs the boundaries between autobiography and invention.
Divine Comedies
Chevalier Chevalier
Comedy 2015 105 mins Director: Athina Rachel Tsangari
Athina Rachel Tsangari's biting and hilarious dissection of the male ego was awarded Best Film at the 2015 BFI London Film Festival.
Toni Erdmann Toni Erdmann
Comedy 2016 162 mins Director: Maren Ade
A lonely prankster upends the life of his high-powered daughter in a riotous comedy, deep and sharp.
A Man Called Ove A Man Called Ove
Comedy 2015 116 mins Director: Hannes Holm
A curmudgeon turns over a new leaf in this heart-warming comedy that became one of Swedish cinema’s biggest hits.
Everybody Wants Some!! Everybody Wants Some!!
Drama 2014 117 mins Director: Richard Linklater
A gang of wild college jocks enjoy three days of freewheeling fun before school starts, in Richard Linklater’s ‘spiritual sequel’ to Boyhood and Dazed and Confused.
The Big Sick The Big Sick
Comedy 2017 120 mins Director: Michael Showalter
The hilarious, breakout indie comedy about a Pakistan-born comedian and his culture-clash relationship with an American grad student.
Brakes Brakes
Comedy 2016 85 mins Director: Mercedes Grower
Breakups have never been funnier, as Mercedes Grower's all-star, ensemble comedy charts the end of various affairs. With Julian Barratt, Steve Oram, Julia Davis and Noel Fielding.
Featuring Will Sharpe
Black Pond Black Pond
Comedy 2011 82 mins Director: Will Sharpe
Simon Amstell and Chris Langham star in this pitch-black British ensemble comedy in which a family are accused of murdering a stranger.
Directed by Will Sharpe
Black Pond Black Pond
Comedy 2011 82 mins Director: Will Sharpe
Simon Amstell and Chris Langham star in this pitch-black British ensemble comedy in which a family are accused of murdering a stranger.
New
Mandibles Mandibles
Fantasy 2020 77 mins Director: Quentin Dupieux
When Jean-Gab and Manu find a giant fly trapped in the boot of a car, they decide to train it in the hope of making a ton of cash.
The Reason I Jump The Reason I Jump
Documentary 2020 82 mins Director: Jerry Rothwell
Award-winning director Jerry Rothwell's compelling documentary is a rare cinematic and sensorial insight into the world of non-speaking autistic people.
Censor Censor
Horror 2020 84 mins Director: Prano Bailey-Bond
Prano Bailey-Bond's frightening but fun homage to ‘video nasties’ and classic 80’s horror.
The Story of Looking The Story of Looking
Documentary 2021 87 mins Director: Mark Cousins
Mark Cousins’ personal meditation on the power of looking.
Copilot Copilot
Drama 2021 119 mins Director: Anne Zohra Berrached
A captivating relationship, told from a woman’s perspective, in the lead up to an act that changed the world.
Sweet Thing Sweet Thing
Drama 2020 91 mins Director: Alexandre Rockwell
Three children embark on a wild trek across Massachusetts, crossing paths with a variety of eccentrics, in this poetic drama from 90s indie hero Alexandre Rockwell (In The Soup).