If you want a real dystopian romantic comedy, call Yorgos Lanthimos

For a genuine dystopian romantic comedy, look no further than Yorgos Lanthimos' 2015 film, The Lobster. This English-language debut delivers a two-hour, fast-paced journey through Kafka's take on love with bone-dry performances from Olivia Colman and Rachel Weisz. The movie explores a world where the government forces single individuals into transformation into animals they despise, unless they rebel, in which case they remain as "the animal no one wants to be."

The Lobster cleverly differentiates between "world-building" and merely constructing a world. While some characters question the system, they ultimately internalize the rules and are reinforced by the hotel manager's "for your own good" remarks. Even the prospect of escaping the flying tranquilizer darts and the looming threat of "The Red Kiss" proves futile, as the rules have become deeply ingrained.

Despite its unconventional premise, The Lobster is Lanthimos' funniest film and its most paradoxically romantic. The movie kicks off with John C. Reilly and Ben Whishaw as fellow unhappy guests who form an unlikely friendship with David (Colin Farrell), played with magnetic anti-charm. Colman's deadpan performance and Colman's manager's "children will help" line add humor, while Colman herself shines in making the most of her biting dialogue.

However, Lanthimos' sharpest criticisms are reserved for the film's second half, where David eventually finds love with Weisz's character.

Although predicated on absurdity—David and Weisz's bond is built on their shared short-sightedness—Lanthimos manages to infuse genuine sweetness and affect into their romance. The film ultimately believes in the power of love, albeit tempered by the realization of its limitations in the face of more powerful forces. This dystopian romantic comedy is a far cry from a tattoo that alerts authorities when you engage in intimacy.