“Over Your Dead Body,” a dark comedy blending elements of horror and farce, explores the volatile dynamics of a dysfunctional marriage with an unusual mix of violence and humor. Directed by Jorma Taccone, the film features Jason Segel and Samara Weaving as Dan and Lisa Burton, a married couple who separately plan to kill each other over a weekend retreat at a lakeside cabin.

The story centers on the couple’s escalating attempts at murder, with Dan spreading false rumors that Lisa is embarking on a dangerous hike, while Lisa tells friends that Dan is going hunting. Neither is a skilled assassin, and their bungled efforts often end in slapstick violence, including scenes where one is tied up and threatened by the other. This darkly comedic portrayal of a toxic relationship is elevated by the performances of Segel and Weaving, who bring a genuine bitterness and complexity to their roles. Segel plays Dan as a failed filmmaker reduced to directing pop-up ads, while Weaving portrays Lisa as an equally unsuccessful actress who harbors contempt for her husband.

The film’s tension and gore intensify when three escaped convicts—Pete (Timothy Olyphant), Todd (Keith Jardine), and their unstable corrections officer Allegra (Juliette Lewis)—take refuge in the cabin. Allegra’s obsessive affection for Pete adds another layer of unpredictability, drawing comparisons to Lewis’s earlier work in “Natural Born Killers.” Their arrival disrupts the Burtons’ plans and shifts the narrative into even more chaotic and violent territory.

Paul Guilfoyle also appears as Dan’s father, delivering a memorable, if grisly, sequence that injects additional energy into the film as the body count rises. Taccone’s direction balances the absurdity and graphic violence, maintaining a comedic tone despite the escalating mayhem.

Adapted by Nick Kocher and Brian McElhaney from the Norwegian film “The Trip,” “Over Your Dead Body” leverages its sharp writing and strong cast to deliver a unique blend of humor and horror. The interplay between genuine emotional conflict and outrageous violence creates a darkly entertaining commentary on marriage and desperation, with plenty of black comedy amid the bloodshed.