Which element is often included in black comedies to highlight the contrast between life and death?

Black comedies frequently utilize bitter humor to underscore the stark contrast between life and death. This style of humor often involves making light of serious, morbid, or taboo subjects, allowing audiences to confront the darker aspects of human existence in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The irony and absurdity present in bitter humor can accentuate the fragility of life, emphasizing how comical or ridiculous situations can arise even in the context of mortality.

In contrast, while graphic violence can be present in black comedies, it is mainly the humor that serves to balance the heavy themes, rather than simply depicting violence for shock value. Romantic subplots and fantasy sequences do not directly address this specific contrast; instead, they may serve other narrative functions that aren’t central to the black comedy genre’s exploration of life and death. Thus, it is the bitter humor that distinctly ties together the elements of existential reflection and comedic relief in these films.