By Maansi V

Copyright gqindia

When crime, suspense, and humour collide, you enter the wickedly entertaining world of comedy thrillers. These are the kind of movies where murders come with a punchline, criminals land in absurd situations, and dark twists are sprinkled with unexpected laughs. Indian cinema has given us plenty of such gems across languages – movies that keep you on the edge of your seat while also making you chuckle at the irony of it all. From quirky kidnappers to unlucky lovers and crime gone hilariously wrong, here’s a list of comedy thrillers that prove danger can sometimes be laugh-out-loud funny.
7 edgy comedy thrillers with dark twists & laughter; on JioHotstar, Netflix, YouTube & more
​1. Andhadhun – YouTube
Sriram Raghavan’s Andhadhun is the perfect example of how a thriller can be wickedly funny. The story follows Akash (Ayushmann Khurrana), a blind pianist whose life takes a wild turn when he accidentally gets tangled in a murder. But is he really blind, or just pretending? As secrets pile up and characters get caught in a web of lies, the film serves up sharp twists, clever irony, and dark humour at every turn. With stellar performances by Tabu and Radhika Apte, Andhadhun keeps you hooked till the very last note, making you laugh nervously even as the suspense tightens.
​2. Ludo – Netflix
The movie is a colourful, chaotic ride where crime and comedy dance together like pieces on a board game. Four wildly different stories – a man seeking redemption, a woman trapped in a toxic marriage, a goofy romance, and a gangster’s messy life – collide in the most unexpected ways. Packed with quirky characters, sharp twists, and a sense of dark irony, the film treats fate like a dice roll, where laughter and danger go hand in hand. With a brilliant ensemble cast including Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Bachchan, Rajkummar Rao, and Fatima Sana Shaikh, the movie proves that in life (and crime), it’s all just a game.
​3. Soodhu Kavvum – ZEE5
If there is one movie that nails the balance of crime, absurdity, and laughs, it’s Soodhu Kavvum. This cult Tamil black comedy thriller follows a gang of small-time crooks who get into the ‘kidnapping business’. Led by Das (Vijay Sethupathi), their quirky ‘rules’ of crime go hilariously awry when they target the wrong people. What follows is a chain of bizarre events, double-crosses, and laugh-out-loud situations peppered with suspense. With its witty writing and offbeat humour, the movie has become a landmark in Indian black comedy, showing how crime can be both thrilling and ridiculously funny at the same time.
​4. Unda – Amazon Prime Video
The movie is a darkly funny yet gripping story about ordinary cops caught in tough situations. It follows a group of Kerala policemen, led by Sub-Inspector Mani (Mammootty), who are sent on election duty to a Maoist-affected area in Chhattisgarh. With little preparation and not enough resources, the team struggles to handle the challenges around them. Full of satire, tension, and unexpected comedy, the film highlights fear, courage, and the flaws of the system, showing that the most thrilling moments often come from human mistakes.
​5. Darlings – Netflix
The movie takes on a sensitive subject, domestic abuse, and flips it into a dark comedy thriller with a bold twist. The story follows Badru (Alia Bhatt), who dreams of a happy married life, but is repeatedly mistreated by her alcoholic husband Hamza (Vijay Varma). With the support of her feisty mother (Shefali Shah), Badru decides she’s had enough and sets out to teach her husband a lesson. The tale of suffering turns into a deliciously twisted game of revenge as Badru implements her plan. The movie is both chilling and wickedly funny, and shows how women can reclaim power in the most unexpected ways.
​6. Delhi Belly – YouTube
Three roommates – Tashi (Imran Khan), Arup (Vir Das), and Nitin (Kunaal Roy Kapur) – live a messy, broke life in Delhi until they get caught in a dangerous mix-up involving smuggled diamonds and a ruthless gangster (Vijay Raaz). Their small mistakes trigger a dangerous, yet hilarious, chain reaction involving diamonds, bullets, and a lot of toilet trouble. What follows is a mad rollercoaster of shootouts, chase scenes, and darkly comic blunders. Known for its bold dialogues, quirky soundtrack (like DK Bose), and unapologetic humor, Delhi Belly broke away from traditional Bollywood storytelling.
​7. Kaalakaandi – JioHotstar
The film unfolds over one wild night in Mumbai, where three different stories intersect. Rileen (Saif Ali Khan), a man who has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer, decides to let loose and live without fear, leading to bizarre and darkly comic situations. Meanwhile, two small-time crooks get into trouble with the underworld, and a young couple faces a test of love and ambition. The movie mixes crime, chaos, and existential questions with a trippy, edgy sense of humor. Khan’s quirky performance, paired with neon-soaked visuals and offbeat storytelling, makes it a unique entry in the black comedy thriller space.