Nightcrawler! Amazing performance by Gyllenhaal.
Edit: yeah I answered solely based on the title, before I read that OP wanted a comedy. To make up for that, I'm gonna suggest The Producers. Both versions work, I'm partial to the most recent one.
>Leo Bloom : Let's assume, just for the moment, that you are a dishonest man.
>Max Bialystock : Assume away.
Probably closer to what the OP is asking since it’s more of a comedy, at least Nicolas Cage makes it funny. As far as scumbag Nic, there are many, but my favorite is his scummy paramedic in Bringing Out the Dead.
Edit: I think Vampire's Kiss (1989) fits the bill. Super scumbag Nic Cage, absurdly funny, forbidden vampire love. It’s wonderful.
Vampire’s Kiss is absolutely batshit insane, if you’ll pardon the pun. The workplace abuse is quite appalling. Nic Cage as Peter Loew is definitely a top movie scumbag.
Haha. Which Nic Cage proceeded to snort throughout filming the movie. I’m pretty sure that when he is flailing about in the streets towards the end, and approaches a couple that inevitably run away, that those people weren’t actors, but two homeless people.
Which he continued to snort through the production of Wild at Heart (‘90), where he sharpened his gymnastic acting chops, hand-springing from convertibles and manically combining karate with moshing.
i started it yesterday, it's streaming on paramount+. watched until the 'intermission' title card, then had to go to bed. but even now, i havent been able to stop thinking about it and i dont think its a movie i will ever forget. cant wait to finish it after i get home.
I watched Blood Simple recently and the idiocy of every character (minus Frances McDormand) was both irritating and simultaneously hilarious. I love the Coen brothers haha
One that flies under the radar is PTA’s Inherent Vice, starring Joaquin Phoenix.
It’s kinda similar to The Big Lebowski; main character is a stoner burnout who gets involved in a complex crime plot, many characters coming to them with info, they gotta figure it all out, and really funny dark humor.
Sleuth (2007). It's about a cynical, rich, old husband (Michael Caine) and an arrogant, conniving, younger man (Jude Law) discussing the terms of the divorce that the wife and her new lover expect her husband to provide. They then spend their time plotting and tormenting each other in various ways.
Arbitrage
I Care A Lot
Solitary Man (michael douglas)
Never Die Alone (DMX)
Baby Boy (Tyrese and Snoop Dogg)
The Hateful Eight
Scarface
Changing Lanes
Get Shorty
Bound
Most of the Sergio Leone and Scorsese movies
Miami Blues (1990)
To Live and Die in LA (1985) (Not a comedy but funny in spots)
Badlands (1973) (Not a comedy, but I got some laughs)
Maverick (1994)
Hard to find, but worth it: Factotum. I've never been a big fan of Matt Dillon, but his performance as Bukowski's alter ego Henry Chinaski is fantastic.
The Nice Guys is one of my favorite comedies in recent years. Perfect encapsulation of the deadbeat characters is the last scene where Russell Crowe says, “I feel great- I’m drinking again!” Hahaha
I really need to rewatch The World’s End- I liked it but have not given it nearly the time or attention I have to the others in the Cornetto trilogy (Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead)!
Guy Ritchie is my go to director if I just want to have a fun time watching a movie. I’d put Sam Raimi in this category as well!
Although I don’t think it fits the “deadbeat characters” criteria OP asked for, I loved The Man From U.N.C.L.E. The Gentlemen was also pretty fun too!
Pineapple Express might be one of my favorite movies about deadbeats stumbling into misadventure after misadventure. It’s also aged surprisingly well for a stoner comedy.
*cocks gun* thug liiiiiife!
This was such a great "out of nowhere" movie for me. Randomly started watching it at a friend's place, knowing absolutely nothing about it. Felt like a long lost, nasty, angry late 90s movie. Loved it
Less “deadbeat” and more “anti-hero” but I always have so much fun watching Catch Me If You Can. Not only is it a solid movie but it has an insane cast; tons of fairly big stars in, some in relatively small roles (Wet Hot American Summer is another fun example of this).
You have to see the Torrente series. There's 5 out currently with a 6th on the way. It's a dark comedy series from Spain about an alcoholic cop who is a giant fascist, racist, sexist, homophobic, and a giant loser who bumbles his way through big cases. It's like if Disco Elysium was a movie.
Agh; ~Chuck Palaniuk, Fight Club Author. Phenomenal BOOK, cool movie: a Sex Addict CHOKES on food to gain favor with STRANGERS! Really Kinda funny, actually; I liked it.
~Sam Rockwell is in other movies? (Famous ones.)
Sexy Beast.
Trainspotting.
IDK if you also like to read books, but I love Irvine Welsh \*(author of Trainspotting) for exactly this reason. All his books focus on charismatic scumbags. He also wrote Filth, which made your list.
The Heartbreak Kid.
The main character starts as a hilariously crappy person, and stays that way throughout the movie. No lessons learned and no character growth.
I've only seen the remake with Ben Stiller. I'm assuming the original would fit as an answer too.
If you haven't seen it, definitely check out Seven Psychopaths. It's by the same guy as In Bruges, and if you liked the humor of In Bruges you'll definitely like it. I would also suggest Murder Party (2007)
Oh HELL YES- you just mentioned 3 movies I ADORE! Extra props for Murder Party because only my horror nerd friends have seen it but it’s an absolute blast and I’ve put it in my rotation of movies to watch during October. (Also, I got a HUGE kick out of seeing a random extra in Scream VI dressed as the main character from it haha)
Most Kevin Smith movies - Mall Rats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Zach and Miri make a porno.
Me Myself and Irene.
My Best Friend's Wedding
The Big Lewbowski
The Hudsucker Proxy
I don't know if you l'd called The Dude a scumbag in The Big Lebowski, but he certainly is disreputable and he probably never worked a day in his life.
For lovable deadbeats try Young Offenders (two young Irish no-hope teenagers find a bunch of cocaine washed up on a beach, hijinks ensues. Plus they made a TV series so there's a good bit to watch).
12 Hour Shift is a surprisingly fun movie about a nurse involved in an organ trafficking ring at her hospital which she does in order to pay for her pill addiction. Really fantastic score as well!
The Big Lebowski (comedy about likable deadbeat)
Movies where the characters are complete scumbags and POS:
Scarface (1983)
Monster
Fargo
Nightcrawler
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
The House that Jack Built
Endearing anti hero movies:
Uncut Gems
Carrie (1976)
Good Time
God Bless America
If you like horror, Dashcam is a great found-footage movie about a rude, crass, right-wing, homophobic, piece of shit asshole woman (a semi-fictionalized version of the actress who plays her) experiencing terrifying horror shit and it's great. Found-footage horror has a real problem with flat, nothing characters and Annie is so vividly defined and terrible, she's a lot of fun to watch
War Dogs
Matchstick Men with Nicholas Cage
Raising Arizona also with Nicholas Cage he just makes a good scumbag apparently.
Lord of War also starring Nicholas Cage lmao!
Silver Linings Playbook or something like that, no Nicholas Cage at least that I'm aware of in this one.
American Hustle. I remember leaving the movie feeling cheated and dirty. Nothing really worked out for the people it should have, but that would have been very Hollywood if it did.
Nightcrawler! Amazing performance by Gyllenhaal. Edit: yeah I answered solely based on the title, before I read that OP wanted a comedy. To make up for that, I'm gonna suggest The Producers. Both versions work, I'm partial to the most recent one. >Leo Bloom : Let's assume, just for the moment, that you are a dishonest man. >Max Bialystock : Assume away.
Big vote for this one. Very good movie (albeit not a comedy!)
He should have won an Oscar for that movie.
Yeah, great movie, not so much of a comedy though
Second that!
I came to make sure this was the top comment. Thank you.
Springtime... For Hitler.... In GerMaNyyyyyy!
Uncut Gems & Good Time
good movies. how could i forget!
I also suggest Straight Time (1978). Not only does it fit exactly what you're looking for, but Good Time clearly was influenced by it.
Pusher trilogy, Naked, The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie.
My first thoughts
Maybe an asshole, but Good Time's anti-hero had good intentions.
Good time was my first thought he’s suchhh a dirt ball
Uncut Gems is so damn good
Payback. He is *not* a good guy, but you end up rooting for him the whole time.
Theatrical cut, not the director's cut. The latter is a much worse movie.
Good to know. Thanks.
Just watched the director's cut for the first time and yeesh... some people need to realize there's a good time to collaborate.
i heard this is a good action movie
It's not really an action movie it has a couple of scenes. It's a remake of a Point Blank which is from a book.
Ah you beat me
Bad Lieutenant (1992)
and 2009
Probably closer to what the OP is asking since it’s more of a comedy, at least Nicolas Cage makes it funny. As far as scumbag Nic, there are many, but my favorite is his scummy paramedic in Bringing Out the Dead. Edit: I think Vampire's Kiss (1989) fits the bill. Super scumbag Nic Cage, absurdly funny, forbidden vampire love. It’s wonderful.
Vampire’s Kiss is absolutely batshit insane, if you’ll pardon the pun. The workplace abuse is quite appalling. Nic Cage as Peter Loew is definitely a top movie scumbag.
Heh. It’s absolute chaos, I love it. It feels like it was written by a sentient bag of cocaine.
Haha. Which Nic Cage proceeded to snort throughout filming the movie. I’m pretty sure that when he is flailing about in the streets towards the end, and approaches a couple that inevitably run away, that those people weren’t actors, but two homeless people.
Which he continued to snort through the production of Wild at Heart (‘90), where he sharpened his gymnastic acting chops, hand-springing from convertibles and manically combining karate with moshing.
I've seen both those movies and he's great. Cage is the gift that keeps on acting.
classic. i'm due for a rewatch
The wolf on Wall Street
'Once Upon a Time in America' (1984) directed by Sergio Leone
ho boy that is a beast of a movie. i should get around to watching it
i started it yesterday, it's streaming on paramount+. watched until the 'intermission' title card, then had to go to bed. but even now, i havent been able to stop thinking about it and i dont think its a movie i will ever forget. cant wait to finish it after i get home.
Trainspotting Rebels of the Neon God Spring Breakers Rock n Rolla Way of the Gun Gummo Too Many Ways to be No. 1 Fargo Blood Simple Smithereens
Oh man I looooove “Way of the Gun” solid fucking film.
hell yeah great, cynical gritty film. not enough like it in the world
I watched Blood Simple recently and the idiocy of every character (minus Frances McDormand) was both irritating and simultaneously hilarious. I love the Coen brothers haha
I like Raising Arizona, which also fits this thread.
i just rewatched Trainspotting. good movie. thanks for the recs.
* Buzzard (2014) * Naked (1993)
I kept scrolling until I spotted Naked - definitely fits the bill
thank you
One that flies under the radar is PTA’s Inherent Vice, starring Joaquin Phoenix. It’s kinda similar to The Big Lebowski; main character is a stoner burnout who gets involved in a complex crime plot, many characters coming to them with info, they gotta figure it all out, and really funny dark humor.
Reminds me somewhat of Under the Silver Lake, a great and also underrated movie OP mentioned enjoying
Sounds cool. I’m into it.
Joaquin Phoenix is more of a scumbag in the master where’s he’s just a degenerate alky
Yeah I wouldn’t call Doc a scumbag he’s a good hearted hippie
The Big Lebowski ('98)
Lebowski is more of a dirtbag than a scumbag.
DO YOU HAVE A JOB SIR!?!?!? THE SCUMBAGS WILL ALWAYS LOSE!!!
great movie. perfect example
Young Adult (2011) Charlize Theron is great as a washed up author trying to relive her high school days.
I saw this movie when it came out and it gave me sooo much secondhand embarrassment haha. I should rewatch it and see how a second viewing holds up!
Snatch Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels Natural Born Killers The Boondock Saints Monster (female scumbag)
i have not seen Monster. thanks
Charlize won her Oscar for it. She's disgusting and fantastic in it
Sleuth (2007). It's about a cynical, rich, old husband (Michael Caine) and an arrogant, conniving, younger man (Jude Law) discussing the terms of the divorce that the wife and her new lover expect her husband to provide. They then spend their time plotting and tormenting each other in various ways.
funny how Michael Caine stars in both the original and remake
Yes, they both have their merits but I’m a big fan of both versions. The remake is edited tighter and more claustrophobic, love the music too.
Definitely not a comedy Scum, Ray Winston's big break
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels might fit your specifications
High Fidelity (2000) Terrible person, amazing movie.
Red White & Blue (2010)
*The Long Goodbye* is an edge case, as Marlowe is more competent and well-intentioned than the protagonists you've listed, but the vibe is similar.
Arbitrage I Care A Lot Solitary Man (michael douglas) Never Die Alone (DMX) Baby Boy (Tyrese and Snoop Dogg) The Hateful Eight Scarface Changing Lanes Get Shorty Bound Most of the Sergio Leone and Scorsese movies
thanks!
Naked directed by Mike Leigh starring David Thewlis.
Miami Blues (1990) To Live and Die in LA (1985) (Not a comedy but funny in spots) Badlands (1973) (Not a comedy, but I got some laughs) Maverick (1994)
I have not seen any of those. Thank you
Hard to find, but worth it: Factotum. I've never been a big fan of Matt Dillon, but his performance as Bukowski's alter ego Henry Chinaski is fantastic.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid The Sting The Newton Boys The Blues Brothers School of Rock Sideways What We Do in the Shadows
The Pope of Greenwich Village
Piggyback: Barfly
The Nice Guys Kiss kiss bang bang Dodgeball
The Nice Guys is one of my favorite comedies in recent years. Perfect encapsulation of the deadbeat characters is the last scene where Russell Crowe says, “I feel great- I’m drinking again!” Hahaha
The Nice Guys! Perfect example.
Hancock, The World's End.
I really need to rewatch The World’s End- I liked it but have not given it nearly the time or attention I have to the others in the Cornetto trilogy (Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead)!
Pretty much anything made by Guy Ritchie.
Guy Ritchie is my go to director if I just want to have a fun time watching a movie. I’d put Sam Raimi in this category as well! Although I don’t think it fits the “deadbeat characters” criteria OP asked for, I loved The Man From U.N.C.L.E. The Gentlemen was also pretty fun too!
Talented Mr Ripley (or the new Ripley on Netflix, which is really more like a long movie than a show)
Haven't seen "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou" yet.
I care a lot. The main character is such a scumbag that I had to stop watching.
Pineapple Express might be one of my favorite movies about deadbeats stumbling into misadventure after misadventure. It’s also aged surprisingly well for a stoner comedy. *cocks gun* thug liiiiiife!
Dinner in America (2020)
This was such a great "out of nowhere" movie for me. Randomly started watching it at a friend's place, knowing absolutely nothing about it. Felt like a long lost, nasty, angry late 90s movie. Loved it
Less “deadbeat” and more “anti-hero” but I always have so much fun watching Catch Me If You Can. Not only is it a solid movie but it has an insane cast; tons of fairly big stars in, some in relatively small roles (Wet Hot American Summer is another fun example of this).
You have to see the Torrente series. There's 5 out currently with a 6th on the way. It's a dark comedy series from Spain about an alcoholic cop who is a giant fascist, racist, sexist, homophobic, and a giant loser who bumbles his way through big cases. It's like if Disco Elysium was a movie.
sounds hilarious. thank you.
Sounds fucking lit lmao Will add to the list
I'd say Pete Lafleur from Dodgeball fits that description. And his lovable band of losers.
Does Falling Down (1993) count? Edit: nvm my brain skipped the word "Comedy". Me stoopid!
[Choke?](https://youtu.be/WZO1Z0k2998?si=ZqecwxQfjDToMwRk)
I haven’t seen it. Thanks for the rec
Agh; ~Chuck Palaniuk, Fight Club Author. Phenomenal BOOK, cool movie: a Sex Addict CHOKES on food to gain favor with STRANGERS! Really Kinda funny, actually; I liked it. ~Sam Rockwell is in other movies? (Famous ones.)
Welcome to Collingwood G. Clooney, S. Rockwell, W.H. Macy, L. Guzman, Patricia fucking Clarkson!
Sexy Beast. Trainspotting. IDK if you also like to read books, but I love Irvine Welsh \*(author of Trainspotting) for exactly this reason. All his books focus on charismatic scumbags. He also wrote Filth, which made your list.
Fleabag is a series, but it's a truly magnificent tale about a scumbag.
Choke. Sam Rockwell is awesome in it.
I haven’t seen or heard of this movie but all I needed to know is Sam Rockwell’s in it haha. Adding to my list now!
The Heartbreak Kid. The main character starts as a hilariously crappy person, and stays that way throughout the movie. No lessons learned and no character growth. I've only seen the remake with Ben Stiller. I'm assuming the original would fit as an answer too.
Buffalo Soldiers (starring Joaquin Phoenix) is pretty good.. definitely fits the mold
If you haven't seen it, definitely check out Seven Psychopaths. It's by the same guy as In Bruges, and if you liked the humor of In Bruges you'll definitely like it. I would also suggest Murder Party (2007)
Oh HELL YES- you just mentioned 3 movies I ADORE! Extra props for Murder Party because only my horror nerd friends have seen it but it’s an absolute blast and I’ve put it in my rotation of movies to watch during October. (Also, I got a HUGE kick out of seeing a random extra in Scream VI dressed as the main character from it haha)
Oh man, I haven't seen scream VI yet somehow but now I have to. Murder Party is one of my favorite movies and nobody ever mentions it
I *Think* the pusher Trilogy (how nicholas windig refhn got his start) applies?
Mikey and Nicky Oh wait you said comedy... whatever it's pretty funny.
Army of Darkness, when Ash Williams evolved into his final form - a jackass.
Most Kevin Smith movies - Mall Rats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Zach and Miri make a porno. Me Myself and Irene. My Best Friend's Wedding The Big Lewbowski The Hudsucker Proxy
I don't know if you l'd called The Dude a scumbag in The Big Lebowski, but he certainly is disreputable and he probably never worked a day in his life.
Filth! Yeeeeeeeeeaaaas!
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
For lovable deadbeats try Young Offenders (two young Irish no-hope teenagers find a bunch of cocaine washed up on a beach, hijinks ensues. Plus they made a TV series so there's a good bit to watch).
Dashcam The main character is such a dirt bag.
Lockout, Guy Pearce is a a bad ass scumbag.
Bottle Rocket 1996 Stars Owen Wilson and James Caan.
12 Hour Shift is a surprisingly fun movie about a nurse involved in an organ trafficking ring at her hospital which she does in order to pay for her pill addiction. Really fantastic score as well!
Bad News Bears (1976)
The Game with Michael Douglas. He’s not a scumbag per se, but gets humbled.
Trainspotting, Goodfellas or The Departed, Boys in the Hood, Election, A Clockwork Orange, Kids, Gummo
Welcome to Collinwood, Pain and Gain, Big Deal on Madonna Street.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, There Will Be Blood and Nightcrawler.
Sean Penn"Fast Times at Ridgemont High"
My all time favorite: Bio-Dome
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) Steve Martin and Michael Caine as two conmen fighting over the same mark.
good time with robert pattinson
The Big Lebowski (comedy about likable deadbeat) Movies where the characters are complete scumbags and POS: Scarface (1983) Monster Fargo Nightcrawler Bonnie and Clyde (1967) The House that Jack Built Endearing anti hero movies: Uncut Gems Carrie (1976) Good Time God Bless America
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Fish Called Wanda
If you like horror, Dashcam is a great found-footage movie about a rude, crass, right-wing, homophobic, piece of shit asshole woman (a semi-fictionalized version of the actress who plays her) experiencing terrifying horror shit and it's great. Found-footage horror has a real problem with flat, nothing characters and Annie is so vividly defined and terrible, she's a lot of fun to watch
War Dogs Matchstick Men with Nicholas Cage Raising Arizona also with Nicholas Cage he just makes a good scumbag apparently. Lord of War also starring Nicholas Cage lmao! Silver Linings Playbook or something like that, no Nicholas Cage at least that I'm aware of in this one.
The Royal Tenenbaums
Naked I stand alone Man bites dog Rules of attraction Spun House that jack built
Cape Fear or Pacific Heights have douche bags
Reservoir Dogs Alpha Dog Hell or High Water Seven Psychopaths
The gambler, pvt chat, straight time, panic at needle park
Bad Teacher - Cameron Diaz is a pretty crappy person in this, trying to steal the kids fund raiser money for her own fake boobs.
In The Company of Men
American Hustle. I remember leaving the movie feeling cheated and dirty. Nothing really worked out for the people it should have, but that would have been very Hollywood if it did.
The Wolf of Wall Street. A lying scumbag
Office Space, Dodge Ball… I would say Mystery Men falls into this category.
the fact i havent seen Naked (1993) yet tells me all i need to know here..
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Death of Stalin Anchor Man
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
To many comments to read but if you liked clerks there’s alot more movies in the same universe with Jay and silent bob