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Looking for suggestions that make fun of holier than thou/ sanctimonious people
I have seen the vibe I am looking for in the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Oh Brother Where Art Thou, the Hunt for the Wilderpeople, The Birdcage and I am hoping to find more. Making fun of the characters who see themselves as morally superior. Thank you.
The Menu, Knives Out, Glass Onion? All have pretentious people getting their comeuppance in some way.
A lot of people are suggesting rich people satire. Which is stuff like Glass Onion and The Menu but also Triangle of Sadness.
I'm not sure that's exactly what you're looking for, your own list of movies seems kind of different from those (though the first Knives Out film does this through the Toni Colette character).
I think something like Get Out works here, making fun of liberal white people who try so hard not to be racist they end up coming across as racist. I think aspects of Candyman (2021) does this. As does Adam McKay's work but most notably Don't Look Up which is more of a scattershot of satire.
Some movies that aren't widely liked, but that I enjoyed to some extent, are Irresistible from Jon Stewart which makes fun of both the Republican and Democratic establishments. Downsizing from Alexander Payne and Suburbicon from George Clooney both came out in 2017, both star Matt Damon, and both got negative reviews. I enjoyed them though and they include the stuff you're looking for.
Dogma is one of my favorites, though the last I saw it wasn't available for streaming.
Orgazmo, from Trey Parker and Matt Stone's early career, has an uptight Mormon who becomes a porn star (with the help of a "stunt cock"). the Mormon couple in the film say goodbye to each other over the phone with "Jesus and I love you".
Fun fact - Dogma can almost always be found somewhere online because Kevin Smith encourages it to undercut $$$ going into Harvey Weinstein’s pocket. Dogma.
Not like he’s going to be enjoying that money now though. Still got over 30 more years to serve in prison.
Orgazmo’s plot reminds me of what happens in Kingpin. Then maybe toss in The Big Lebowski if that’s the flavor you’re going for. But holier than thou come uppence, not sure these movies fit that exact bill.
What about like “Best In Show”? I put that on my watchlist when I was reminded about it from a thread the other day. Most of the Christopher Guest stuff lampoons gatekeeping in some way I’m realizing.
This is the first thing that came to mind for me. And if we’re talking Christopher Guest we have to include This Is Spinal Tap.
Mighty gemstones on HBO max might be up your alley
I'm not sure how well it's aged since I haven't seen it in a couple of decades, but PCU seems like an ur-text of the genre.
Saved! is a great send up of Christian morals, especially when it comes to sexuality. Set in a Christian high school, the protagonist, Mary, is a pregnant teen who was once part of the cool Christian clique led by Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore).
When she learns of her friend's pregnancy, Moore uses her influence and lack of morals to ostracize Mary until eventually getting her comeuppance.
I'm glad someone else remembers Saved!; I was expecting a movie that just dunked on Christians but I came away with so much more. There is a lot of heart and thoughtfulness in this movie.
Can’t really come up with any religious ones, but here’s a few flicks about egomaniacs in the art scene:
Murder Party (2007) --- a group of artist plans a high-concept murder to “rule the scene”. Sort of a mix of splatter and mumblecore.
Fame Whore (1997) --- Three different storylines gives cynical view on the quest for fame. By Jon Moritsugu (Terminal USA) Not one of his best, IMHO, it felt a bit bitter and selfrighteous.
Scumrock (2002) --- another one by Jon Moritsugu, this gives an empatic view of struggling teen egos. Kind of a slow burn, but with a lot of heart, and his trademark punkish feel.
Bucket of Blood (1959) --- an artist turn to murder on his quest for success. (you can find it on archive.org I'm certain)
Cecil B. Demented (2000) --- Gang of struggling movie makers turn to terrorism because of the decay of modern cinema. By John Waters!
And then there’s Transtrender (youtube vid by Contrapoints) --- batshit crazy movie about selfrighteous gatekeeping in trans communities.
By the way, is there any movies dealing with the selfrighteousness of moderates and atheists?
EDIT: Oh, just forgot: Life of Brian
Election (1999)
"A high school teacher meets his match in an over-achieving student politician"
Reese Witherspoon plays this perfectly. Her character is insufferable.
I think I might include The Square (Swedish) in this category, although it's a bit more, I don't know, about high culture as a whole instead of just single individuals?
I think Stephen King's The Mist fits the bill.
I'm not sure I understand what you're looking for, but I'm reminded of The Hunt.