Underrated Comedy Gems to Brighten Your November Nights
As November settles in with its shorter days and chilly nights, there’s no better time to curl up with a good comedy. Amazon Prime Video hosts several underrated gems that deserve your attention this month. From awkward sexual awakenings to absurdist horror-comedy to cringe-worthy martial arts instructors, these three films offer distinctive flavors of humor that break from the mainstream. While they might not have dominated the box office upon release, each provides a refreshing alternative to typical streaming fare, delivering laughs when we need them most.
The first standout is 2013’s “The To Do List,” starring Aubrey Plaza as Brandy Klark, an uptight high school valedictorian determined to gain sexual experience before college. Set in the summer of 1993, the film follows Brandy as she methodically creates and works through a checklist of sexual acts she plans to accomplish before heading off to university. What makes the film work is Plaza’s fully committed performance – she tackles the material with a perfect blend of deadpan humor and surprising vulnerability. The supporting cast shines equally bright, featuring comedy talents like Andy Samberg, Bill Hader, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Ali Shawkat. While “The To Do List” doesn’t necessarily offer profound insights into female sexuality, it succeeds wonderfully as a nostalgic ’90s-set comedy that balances raunchiness with genuine heart. Director Maggie Carey crafts scenes that are consistently entertaining and often unexpectedly sweet amid the awkward sexual misadventures. The film captures that specific end-of-high-school moment when someone realizes how much life experience they’ve missed while focusing on academics.
For those with stronger stomachs and an appreciation for the bizarre, “The Greasy Strangler” (2016) offers a truly unique viewing experience. This absurdist horror-comedy follows Ronnie (Michael St. Michaels) and his adult son Brayden (Sky Elobar), who run a disco-themed walking tour in their quirky town. Their already strange relationship deteriorates further when both men develop feelings for Janet (Elizabeth De Razzo), a beautiful woman who takes their tour. Meanwhile, a mysterious oil-covered serial killer – the titular “Greasy Strangler” – begins terrorizing the community by night. Director Jim Hosking creates a film that defies easy categorization, blending the provocative tastelessness of John Waters with practical body horror effects reminiscent of early David Cronenberg. The result is something that will either completely repulse you or become an instant cult classic in your personal collection. With its intentionally stilted dialogue, outrageous practical effects, and commitment to its own bizarre internal logic, “The Greasy Strangler” represents a singular artistic vision that stands apart from conventional filmmaking. It’s definitely not for everyone, but those who connect with its wavelength will find it unforgettable.
The final recommendation, “The Foot Fist Way” (2008), introduced many viewers to Danny McBride’s particular brand of delusional machismo years before “Eastbound & Down” made him a household name. McBride plays Fred Simmons, a small-town Taekwondo instructor whose inflated self-importance masks deep insecurities. When Fred discovers his wife Suzie (Mary Jane Bostic) has cheated on him with her boss, his carefully constructed world begins to crumble. In an attempt to restore his damaged ego, Fred attends a martial arts expo to meet his hero, B-movie action star Chuck “The Truck” Wallace (Ben Best), only to have his illusions shattered when he realizes his idol is a womanizing, substance-abusing jerk. Directed by Jody Hill (who would later collaborate with McBride on several projects), this low-budget indie comedy offers a biting examination of toxic masculinity wrapped in cringe-inducing humor. While not as polished as Hill’s later work, the film showcases McBride developing the loud-mouthed, vulnerable braggart character he would continue to refine throughout his career. With its raw edges and uncomfortable moments, “The Foot Fist Way” feels like discovering an early album from a band that would later become famous – slightly rough but bursting with undeniable talent and a distinctive voice.
These three comedies represent different approaches to humor – from the relatively mainstream “The To Do List” to the wildly experimental “Greasy Strangler” to the character-driven “Foot Fist Way.” What unites them is their willingness to venture beyond comfortable comedy formulas and take risks that bigger-budget studio comedies often avoid. They each feature protagonists dealing with disappointment and disillusionment in unique ways – Brandy confronting the gap between her academic preparation and real-world experiences, Ronnie and Brayden navigating their dysfunctional relationship, and Fred facing the collapse of both his marriage and his hero worship. Through these personal crises, each film finds humor in vulnerability and awkwardness rather than polished punchlines.
As streaming services continue to expand their libraries with original content, these under-appreciated comedies from the recent past offer a reminder of the diverse voices and visions that exist outside the algorithm-friendly mainstream. Whether you’re in the mood for nostalgic ’90s teen comedy, bizarre cult cinema, or cringe-inducing character study, Amazon Prime Video provides these distinctive alternatives for your November viewing. Each film represents a specific comedic wavelength – you might not tune into all three, but discovering which one resonates with your sense of humor is part of the joy of exploring beyond the obvious recommendations. As the holiday season approaches with its predictable fare, these unconventional comedies offer a refreshing palate cleanser and a reminder that laughter comes in many forms, from the sweetly awkward to the grotesquely absurd to the painfully relatable.
