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Coup! 2024

6.7/10
This black comedy serves occasionally delicious but mostly tiresome commentary on social class and liberalism

In Coup!, the servants of a wealthy, faux-progressive family in 1918 attempt to take over after realizing that the Spanish influenza has granted them leverage over their helpless masters. It’s a dark comedy that shares many similarities with the 2019 hit Parasite. Like the latter, Coup! is largely a film about class warfare, liberal hypocrisy, the devaluation of labor, and survival. It also showcases the endlessly entertaining Sarsgaard and Magnussen, who can make you feel vindicated in one second and squirmish in another. But there’s a missing ingredient in Coup! that makes it feel less like a satire than an imitation of it. Maybe it’s the lack of dedication to the darkness of its tone or the vague, frustrating way it resolves the tension between employees and employers. Perhaps it’s both. Either way, there are some delicious and thought-provoking morsels to be found in Coup!, but nothing filling or hearty to make it memorable enough.

Synopsis

A mysterious grifter appears on an isolated seaside estate claiming to be a wealthy family's new chef. When a plague descends on the island, the mischievous cook rouses his fellow staff to rebel and take over the mansion.

Storyline

In 1918, Floyd Monk (Peter Sarsgaard) is a grifter who interlopes on a wealthy estate by pretending to be a chef. He manages to convince everyone except JC Horton (Billy Magnussen), the head of the house and a wannabe politician espousing (but never really practicing) progressive views.

TLDR

Close enough. Welcome back, Parasite!

What stands out

Sarsgaard always seems to have fun with these slimy, morally ambiguous roles.

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