written by David Steffen
The Lobster is an internationally-produced 2015 dystopian black comedy film.
In the near future, all adults in society is expected to be in a long-term relationship and violation of this expectation is illegal. If you find yourself single you are required to go to a special hotel where you have forty days to find a new long-term partner. If you haven’t found a partner at the end of forty days, then you will be turned into the animal of your choice (or if you have violated other rules, the animal you would least enjoy), where you will have another chance at romance in the animal kingdom. You can’t just partner up frivolously, either, you have to be able to demonstrate a major thing that you have in common. Residents can gain extensions to their stay by hunting and tranquilizing single people on the run in the woods. (There are other rules, as well)
David (Colin Farrell) discovers that his wife has left him for another man and he is brought to the hotel at the start of the movie, with his dog (who had been his brother) in tow. He quickly befriends a couple of other men and sets out to find a woman to partner with.
This movie is incredibly weird, in turns bleak and hilarious. The movie is largely built out of awkward silences in the various odd situations, and the movie throws you right into everything without explaining anything so you have to figure out much of the premise for yourself as the movie goes on. I highly recommend it for anyone who likes a puzzle or who likes dark comedy or weird worldbuilding.