Four Lions is the first feature film directed by Chris Morris, responsible for television comedy like Brass Eye and Jam. Like much of Brass Eye it tackles a controversial subject matter - this time British suicide bombers.

Four Lions is an excellent film that works on two levels: it’s very funny and it’s a deep film that can be pretty moving.

Its bumbling jihadi protagonists are portrayed as entirely human, but with flaws, rather than the demonic extremists the media would have us believe. In fact they are not even particularly strict Muslims - they are outcasts from both the Islamic church and from British society. The overwhelming feeling is that these people are confused, they feel that something is wrong with society but aren’t sure exactly what it is or how to deal with it. Their response is to become martyrs, feeling this will give their lives some meaning. They see jihad as a glamorous activity and aim to follow in the footsteps of the great Al-Qaeda leaders.

It’s a sad story then of men at odds with the world, yet the humour lightens its seriousness. As with Morris’ earlier humour much of it is derived from ironic juxtapositions, the bombers wear silly costumes when attempting to bomb the London marathon, or surreal slapstick, one man falls over whilst carrying explosives, only to be blown apart by them. 

Four Lions is an excellent film then, and fills a void in British cinema by providing something that is relevant, enjoyable, and thought provoking.