One can only imagine the gallows humour

Gallows humour is a unique form of dark comedy that thrives in the most intense and grim circumstances, often providing a moment of levity in the midst of tragedy. In filmmaking, this technique is used to balance out heavy themes by adding a layer of irony or absurdity, often leaving the audience both uncomfortable and amused. 

The phrase “gallows humour” typically refers to the type of jokes made by people who are facing imminent danger or death, using humor as a coping mechanism. In film, this kind of humour is often used in stories involving survival, war, or intense personal conflict, where the characters are subjected to difficult situations and must find humour to survive. Films like Dr. Strangelove (1964) or Fargo (1996) have expertly used gallows humour to make audiences laugh while highlighting the absurdity of human nature in extreme circumstances. 

This unique form of humour can serve to highlight the humanity of characters in distress, allowing audiences to relate to them despite the dark situation. By weaving darkly comic moments into tense or tragic narratives, filmmakers allow the viewer to process the intensity of the story with a slightly lighter perspective. 

 While gallows humour may not be for everyone, it remains a potent storytelling tool that, when used effectively, can bring both depth and complexity to a film. It also serves to break the tension, offering a brief but essential reprieve from an otherwise heavy narrative.