What is Satire? Meaning and Examples from Film

Published: February 16, 2024 | Last Updated: December 18, 2024

Satire is a sharp tool for calling out politics, culture, and societal norms. It can be in-your-face or sneaky, depending on the vibe. With so many subgenres, satire has endless ways to critique and entertain while making you think about the world around you.

There are many subgenres of satire which have been explored in movies.

Different Subgenres of Satire in Movies

Here’s a list of different subgenres of satire explained, including movie examples.

Satire type	Explanation	Movie Example
Political Satire	Targets politicians and political processes, mocking everything from policy decisions to the behavior of individual politicians. It’s often found in editorial cartoons, articles, TV programs, and online content.	Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) is a classic example of political satire, mocking the Cold War attitudes and nuclear scare between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Social Satire	Focuses on societal behaviors and norms. It ridicules societal trends, classes, and habits to expose the folly and vices in society.	Get Out (2017) uses horror elements to satirize racial tensions and liberal hypocrisy in the United States, making profound observations on societal behaviors and norms.
Parody	Imitates the style or character of a work, genre, author, or public figure in a humorous way to comment on the original work or broader societal norms associated with that work.	Spaceballs (1987) parodies the science fiction genre, particularly the ‘Star Wars’ franchise, using the original’s style to create humorous commentary on space opera tropes.
Spoof	A lighter form of parody that playfully mocks a genre, film, or work rather than making a serious critique. Spoofs often involve exaggeration and humorous imitation.	Airplane! (1980) uses exaggerated situations and characters to create humor without intending to provide serious critique.
Horatian Satire	Named after the Roman satirist Horace, this subgenre is playful and seeks to entertain while pointing out societal follies. It’s characterized by a gentle, amused tone rather than by indignation.	The Simpsons Movie (2007) is a prime example of Horatian satire, gently poking fun at societal norms, family dynamics, and environmental issues.
Juvenalian Satire	In contrast to Horatian satire, Juvenalian satire, named after the Roman poet Juvenal, is more severe and bitter. It addresses social evils through scorn, outrage, and savage ridicule.	A Clockwork Orange (1971) offers a darker, more cynical look at societal issues, such as youth violence and the failures of the criminal rehabilitation system, using scorn and outrage as its primary tools.
Menippean Satire	Targets mental attitudes rather than societal norms or specific individuals. It often employs a variety of literary forms—such as essays, dialogues, and verses—to lampoon stereotypes and intellectual attitudes.	Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) critiques the American Dream and societal norms through a drug-fueled journey, employing various literary forms to lampoon stereotypes and intellectual attitudes.
Burlesque	Exaggerates or distorts the manner or style of something more serious for comedic effect. Classic burlesque focuses more on literary and dramatic works, while modern burlesque can also encompass performance art.	Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) takes a comedic approach to the legend of Robin Hood, exaggerating and distorting elements of the story and style for humorous effect.
Irony	While often considered a rhetorical device rather than a subgenre of satire, irony is a key component in many satirical works. It involves stating something that implies the opposite, usually subtly and understated.	American Psycho (2000) uses irony to critique 1980s yuppie culture and the emptiness of consumerism, with the protagonist’s true, violent nature contrasting sharply with his polished exterior.
Sarcasm	A form of verbal irony that is more direct and cutting. It’s often used in satirical works to convey contempt or mockery.	Thank You for Smoking (2005) employs sarcasm to critique the tobacco industry and lobbying practices, with characters often using direct and cutting remarks to make their points.
Mockumentary	A film or television show that mimics the style and structure of documentary filmmaking to satirize its subject matter, often through fictional events presented in a non-fiction format.	This Is Spinal Tap (1984) satirizes the rock and roll lifestyle, following a fictional band on tour through a series of comedic and exaggerated misadventures.
Farce	Involves exaggerated, improbable situations intended to entertain and amuse, often through slapstick, absurdity, and physical humor. While not exclusively satirical, farce is frequently used to lampoon societal norms.	The Pink Panther (2006) uses exaggerated characters and improbable situations, focusing on the bumbling Inspector Clouseau’s attempts to solve crimes, using slapstick and absurdity to lampoon detective stories.

Different Ways and Purposes for the Use of Satire in Film

There are many reasons for using satire in films, often related to the movie theme, ranging from political to genre spoofing. Here are some examples:

Cultural/Pop Culture Satire

Films in this category comment on trends, celebrities, or phenomena in popular culture.

The Truman Show (1998), directed by Peter Weir, was way ahead of its time. It’s a sharp critique of reality TV and how entertainment invades personal privacy, calling out these issues long before reality shows and social media took over our lives.

Economic Satire

Economic satire zeroes in on economic policies, systems, or ideologies, exposing their flaws.

Take The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), directed by Martin Scorsese—it’s a wild, satirical ride through the over-the-top greed and excess of capitalism. Showing a real-life stockbroker’s rise and chaotic downfall doesn’t just entertain; it makes you think about the cost of unchecked ambition.

War Satire

War satires critique the military and the concept of war itself.

MAS*H (1970), directed by Robert Altman, uses the Korean War as a setting to satirize the absurdity of war and the military bureaucracy, using humor to cope with the horror and absurdity of conflict.

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Environmental Satire

Films that use satire to comment on environmental issues or human interaction with the environment.

WALL-E (2008) by Pixar is primarily a children’s movie that offers a satirical look at consumerism, waste management, and environmental neglect. It presents a future Earth choked by garbage.

Religious Satire

Religious satire pokes at religious institutions, figures, or beliefs to highlight hypocrisy or blind faith.

Take Life of Brian (1979) by Monty Python—it’s a hilarious but controversial dive into religious fervor and dogma. Set during the time of Jesus, it follows Brian, an ordinary guy who’s mistaken for the Messiah, delivering sharp commentary on groupthink and the absurdity of unquestioning devotion.

Genre Satire

Genre Satire satire aims at specific genres, poking fun at their clichés and conventions.

Scream (1996), directed by Wes Craven, is a prime example. It gave the horror genre a fresh jolt by satirizing slasher film tropes while still delivering legit scares. From calling out the “final girl” trope to mocking the predictability of plot twists, it’s both a parody and a standout horror movie in its own right.

Also, check out Horror Subgenres Every Filmmaker Should Know (and Why)

Summing Up

Satire in movies is a clever way to mix humor with social and political commentary. By using exaggeration, irony, and sharp wit, filmmakers can call out societal norms, behaviors, and institutions in an entertaining and thought-provoking way.

Satirical movies don’t just make you laugh—they push you to think about your beliefs and the world around you, often triggering the important conversations that could lead to real change.

Up Next: What is Irony in Film? And How To Use It in a Screenplay