Mindhorn (2016)

Mindhorn is special because it takes a gloriously stupid premise—a has-been TV detective actor forced to “be” his character for real—and plays it with such straight-faced commitment that the absurdity blooms into something surprisingly human. Julian Barratt is pitch-perfect as a man clinging to past glory, and the film keeps finding fresh comic angles in the clash between showbiz ego and small-town police work, all wrapped in a distinctly British, windswept-island vibe that feels both cozy and slightly unhinged. Beneath the big laughs and ridiculous set pieces, there’s an undercurrent of bruised pride and second chances that gives the spoof a little sting when you least expect it. It’s not for everyone—crude jokes and broad silliness come with the territory—but if you enjoy comedies that are willing to look foolish in order to earn their heart, this one is an easy recommendation.

Mindhorn is clearly aiming for a lovingly shabby British spoof about fame, ego, and a ridiculous premise taken just seriously enough to work. When it hits, Julian Barratt’s committed performance and the Isle of Man setting give it a droll, offbeat charm, with a few genuinely funny, awkward set pieces. But the film can feel oddly sluggish and repetitive, like it’s stretching a sketch into a feature, and the parody sometimes looks as cheap and clunky as the bad TV it’s sending up. If you don’t already enjoy Barratt’s specific brand of deadpan cringe and niche British silliness (plus some moderate swearing and drug references), this may play less like a clever comedy and more like well-meaning guff with long patches of rubbish in between.