10 Movies and Shows Similar to Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World (2023)

Description: This film shares with 'Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World' a darkly comic exploration of human relationships and existential despair. Both use isolated settings to amplify their characters' emotional states, blending tragedy with absurd humor. The dialogue in both films is similarly sharp and revealing.

Fact: The island characters were named after the actors' grandparents. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson hadn't worked together since 'In Bruges' 14 years earlier. The donkey Jenny became a breakout star of the film.

Description: 'Dogtooth' shares with 'Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World' a fascination with the absurdity of human behavior under controlled, bizarre circumstances. Both films employ a deadpan style to explore themes of control, isolation, and the breakdown of societal norms. The minimalist cinematography and unsettling atmosphere are also key similarities.

Fact: 'Dogtooth' was banned in Iceland due to its controversial content. The film was shot in just 30 days on a very low budget. It was Greece's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards.

Description: This film shares with 'Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World' a keen eye for dissecting human relationships under pressure. Both use uncomfortable situations to reveal deeper truths about their characters, blending drama with dark comedy. The alpine setting creates a similarly stark, isolating atmosphere.

Fact: The avalanche scenes used real controlled explosions. The film was remade in 2020 as 'Downhill' with Will Ferrell. Director Ruben Östlund based the story on a real-life avalanche experience.

Description: Like 'Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World', 'The Lobster' is a darkly comedic and surreal exploration of societal norms and human relationships. Both films use absurdist humor to critique modern life, blending bleakness with moments of unexpected levity. The visual style is similarly stark and deliberate, enhancing the films' unsettling tones.

Fact: Colin Farrell gained 40 pounds for his role in 'The Lobster' to better fit the character's schlubby, middle-aged persona. The film was shot in Ireland, but the setting is deliberately ambiguous to create a universal, dystopian feel. Director Yorgos Lanthimos originally wrote the script in Greek before translating it to English.

Description: Both 'The Square' and 'Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World' are biting satires of the art world and modern society's pretensions. They use uncomfortable humor and surreal set pieces to explore themes of authenticity and human connection in an increasingly artificial world.

Fact: The monkey scene was performed by a real professional monkey actor. Claes Bang did all his own stunts in the film. The film won the Palme d'Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.

Description: Like 'Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World', 'The Favourite' uses historical settings to explore timeless human follies with sharp, dark humor. Both films feature unconventional cinematography and a willingness to embrace the absurdity of power dynamics and human relationships.

Fact: Olivia Colman kept pet rabbits to prepare for her role as Queen Anne. The fish-eye lens shots were inspired by Stanley Kubrick's 'A Clockwork Orange'. Rachel Weisz did most of her own stunt riding in the film.

Description: Like 'Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World', this film uses absurdist satire to critique capitalism and societal structures. Both employ surreal twists and dark humor to make their points, blending genres in unexpected ways. The visual styles are similarly bold and unconventional.

Fact: Boots Riley wrote the script over 20 years before it was made. The film's ending was kept secret from most of the cast until filming. Tessa Thompson's earrings in the film contain actual political messages.

Description: Both 'Under the Silver Lake' and 'Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World' are labyrinthine narratives that blend noir elements with surreal humor. They critique modern society's obsessions and paranoia, using dreamlike sequences and unreliable narrators to keep the audience off-balance.

Fact: The film contains numerous hidden codes and ciphers throughout. Andrew Garfield prepared for his role by watching classic noir films. The movie's production was delayed multiple times, leading to a much later release than originally planned.

Description: This film, like 'Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World', delves into the psychological and moral complexities of human actions under extreme circumstances. Both films use a clinical, detached style to heighten the emotional impact of their narratives. The themes of fate, retribution, and the absurdity of life are central to both.

Fact: The title is a reference to the Greek myth of Iphigenia. Barry Keoghan improvised many of his unsettling mannerisms in the film. The film's color palette was deliberately designed to resemble a hospital's sterile environment.

Description: Both 'Parasite' and 'Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World' are masterclasses in genre-blending social satire. They use meticulous visual storytelling and sudden tonal shifts to critique class inequality, with both films finding humor in dark situations. The architectural spaces in both films become characters themselves.

Fact: The house was built as a complete set, not CGI. Bong Joon-ho storyboarded every shot himself. It was the first non-English language film to win Best Picture at the Oscars.