Being John Malkovich & 3 comedies that are low-key horror movies
By Leigh Evans
3. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Robin Williams was a national treasure. For many of us he made our entire families laugh and bond over his great films that still hold up today. He is no doubt sorely missed by everyone who was touched by his craft.
When it comes to iconic, Mrs. Doubtfire is one of the actor’s best efforts. It is a tender story about a distraught father who dresses up as an old lady in order to spend time with his kids after a messy divorce.
Nothing wrong with that premise. However, let’s look a bit deeper and discover one of the most unintentionally horrifying films of all time.
On the surface, Mrs. Doubtfire is a charming comedy full of heart, but when you strip away those innocent layers you get a deranged ex husband who disguises himself in order to stalk his family. The writers and filmmakers try their best to make Sally Field’s character in the wrong but can you blame her?
Throughout the film her husband is constantly irresponsible, dangerous, and manic, so naturally at her wit’s end, she divorces him and receives sole custody of their children. Desperate to remain in his offspring’s lives, Williams does what any father would do. He consults some special FX friends to craft an elderly Scottish woman “suit” to wear and infiltrate his family.
Things only get creepier when Mom’s new beau (played by the ever suave and gorgeous Pierce Brosnan) is terrorized by Mrs. Doubtfire. There is even an assault via fruit which gets coined as a “drive by fruiting.”
Brosnan is a great guy in the film too, taking extreme care to not cross boundaries with the children while also treating Sally Field with respect and love. He never becomes menacing or tries to be a stereotypical stepfather.
This doesn’t for one second spare him from the wrath of Mrs. Doubtfire. The only thing missing from this 1993 film to push it into the horror genre is a body count!
Next. Everything horror coming to streaming services in Sept.. dark
Obviously this list was meant to have some fun with Being John Malkovich and these other comedies, but it goes to show you sometimes there is more to a movie than what’s on the surface.
Have you seen Being John Malkovich? Can you think of any other comedies that are low-key horror films?