The Comedy Poster

The Comedy 2012

★ 5.873 votes93 min📅 2012-11-09

Rick Alverson's *The Comedy (2012)* dives into the hollow rituals of a jaded Manhattanite drifting through life with a toxic mix of apathy and performative rebellion.

Director: Rick Alverson

Cast

Tim Heidecker
Tim Heidecker
Swanson
Eric Wareheim
Eric Wareheim
Van Arman
James Murphy
James Murphy
Ben
Kate Lyn Sheil
Kate Lyn Sheil
Waitress
Adam Scarimbolo
Adam Scarimbolo
Restaurant Manager
Gregg Turkington
Gregg Turkington
Bobby
Alexia Rasmussen
Alexia Rasmussen
Young Woman
Grace Rex
Grace Rex
Hospital Nurse
Liza Kate
Sister-In-Law
Rock Kohli
Rock Kohli
Raj

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Comedy (2012) about?

The film follows Swanson, a disaffected heir who rejects his father's legacy and drifts through Manhattan with a circle of friends. Together, they engage in elaborate pranks and cruel games, masking their existential boredom with mock sincerity and irreverence.

Who directed The Comedy?

Rick Alverson directed *The Comedy (2012)*. Known for his provocative and often unsettling style, Alverson crafts a film that blurs the line between comedy and drama.

Who stars in The Comedy?

The main cast includes Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, James Murphy, Kate Lyn Sheil, and Gregg Turkington.

Is The Comedy (2012) worth watching?

While *The Comedy (2012)* won't be for everyone, its fearless exploration of privilege and alienation resonates in today's cultural climate. Heidecker's performance is a standout, and Alverson's direction ensures a thought-provoking experience—just don't expect a feel-good watch.

How long is The Comedy?

The runtime for *The Comedy (2012)* is 93 minutes.

🎥 Trailer

About The Comedy (2012) — A Dark Comedy About Privilege and Performative Rebellion

Rick Alverson's *The Comedy (2012)* dives into the hollow rituals of a jaded Manhattanite drifting through life with a toxic mix of apathy and performative rebellion. Tim Heidecker stars as Swanson, a man inheriting his father's estate but caring little for the privilege, instead drowning in mock sincerity with his like-minded circle of friends. Their playground? A world of prank calls, casual cruelty, and absurd games designed to expose the fragility of social norms. Shot through with pitch-black humor and a queasy sense of detachment, the film captures the alienation of a generation raised on irony and detached observation.

Set against the backdrop of New York's gentrified enclaves, *The Comedy (2012)* blends raw realism with absurdist edge, exploring themes of privilege, purpose, and the erosion of genuine connection. Heidecker's deadpan intensity anchors the chaos, while co-stars Eric Wareheim and Kate Lyn Sheil amplify the film's unsettling dynamic. A divisive yet unforgettable character study, Alverson's direction crafts an atmosphere that's equal parts cringe-inducing and darkly hilarious.