Coup! A Dark Comedy Exploring Class Struggles in 1918

Overview of Coup!
Coup! is a recent film that employs dark humor to critique themes of wealth, privilege, and social inequality. Directed by Austin Stark and Joseph Schuman, this 2024 release features a con artist who infiltrates a lavish mansion with plans to seize control.
Set against the backdrop of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, the film follows Jay (Billy Magnussen), a journalist who isolates himself with his wife Julie (Sarah Gadon), their children, and a few servants on their expansive estate.
While Jay publicly champions progressive ideals and denounces injustice, he privately exhibits feudal attitudes towards his household staff, whom he refers to as 'staff' but expects to adhere to his strict rules, including a vegetarian diet.
The arrival of Monk (Peter Sarsgaard) disrupts Jay's carefully maintained world. Disguised as a cook, Monk gains the support of two other servants and begins to challenge Jay's authority, revealing the hypocrisy of his character while also exposing his own moral failings.
This film, produced on a modest budget, effectively conveys its themes within a concise runtime of 98 minutes, perfectly capturing Monk's rebellion, Jay's growing panic, and the ensuing household chaos.
Peter Sarsgaard delivers a cunning performance as the mischievous cook, while Billy Magnussen impresses as the self-important yet oblivious Jay. The film illustrates that revolutions, though often chaotic and violent, can also be entertaining.
Other Films to Consider This Week:
‘Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi’ is an ode to personal and political passions
In ‘Unaad’, the tug between heart and head
‘Mountainhead’ is a grim satire about tech billionaires