The Darwin Awards
The Darwin Awards

The Darwin Awards

2007Movie94 minEnglish

After botching the capture of a notorious serial killer, idiosyncratic detective Michael Burrows loses his job with the San Francisco Police. He becomes an investigator for an insurance company and joins forces with a cynical field agent to probe suspicious and unusual deaths.

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Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes28%
Metacritic45/100
Google Users53%
Director: Finn TaylorGenres: Comedy, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

A reclusive insurance investigator, Michael Burrows, believes he can predict accidental deaths. He is tasked with tracking down people who are about to become the unfortunate recipients of the 'Darwin Award' – a dubious honor given posthumously to individuals who die in bizarre and self-inflicted ways. Michael teams up with a tabloid reporter, Siri Taylor, who is eager to get the scoop on these unusual deaths.

Critical Reception

The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with many finding its dark humor hit-or-miss and the plot somewhat convoluted. Audiences were similarly divided, with some appreciating the unique premise and others finding the subject matter too grim or tasteless.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film attempts a dark comedic approach to a sensitive topic but often falls flat.
  • Some found the premise intriguing, but the execution was deemed inconsistent.
  • Performances were generally praised, but couldn't elevate the material for many.

Google audience: Google users expressed a divided opinion, with a significant portion finding the movie's premise morbidly humorous and unique. However, others felt the humor was forced or inappropriate, leading to a lukewarm reception.

Fun Fact

The film is based on Wendy Northcutt's book of the same name, which compiles true stories of people who have died in ways that, according to the book's premise, would qualify them for a Darwin Award for making such a foolish decision that it led to their own demise.

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