It’s not often that a movie trailer is preceded by a warning about self-harm and a number to call if the viewer is considering this. But On The Count Of Three does, and for good reason.
On the Count of Three is standup comedian Jerrod Carmichael’s feature-length directorial debut that begins with a very dark premise of long-time friends Val (Carmichael) and Kevin (Christopher Abbot) making a suicide pact to help kill each other at the end of the day. The movie then escalates, or perhaps descends, into even darker territory that questions the boundaries of friendship.
Though it’s been labeled as a pitch-black comedy, the film is more a very dark drama with a few funny moments. One early scene has Val turning off a Papa Roach song about suicide that Kevin has put on while both are riding in the car. ‘You can’t listen to music that describes the exact emotional thing that you’re going through! You don’t listen to Alanis Morissete when you’re going through a breakup, and I ain’t listening to Papa fucking Roach on the day I’m gonna kill myself.”
Such is one of the few funny moments sprinkled in between scenes where Carmichael’s and Abbot’s characters get more entwined with the escalating events and each others lives during their last day together. Abbott brings his usual intensity and has plenty of scenes to come unhinged and yell at people, which might be when he’s at his best. Carmichael doesn’t have to work hard to convince you of how world-weary he is. Each character’s decision to help kill the other comes off as all too real to the viewer.
Supporting characters played by Tiffany Haddish, Henry Winkler, and JB Smoove help round out the small cast to make this small movie so human and moving, in spite of its premise.
Carmichael has gained attention over the years thanks to three stand-up specials and other short documentary films on HBO, and a 3-season sitcom that ran on NBC from 2015-2017. His stand-up is comparable to comics who cover much darker material, like Louis C.K. and Anthony Jeselnik. In his latest special, Rothaniel, he uses his comedy to do something that is bold, personal, and, like comedian Hannah Gadsby, expands the function of this art form by coming out as gay. The special also won Carmichael the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for A Variety Show earlier this year.
Carmichael has never shied away from speaking the unspeakable in his standup and, as much as he was allowed, on his network sitcom. His fearless approach to this story brings out the humanity in this dark situation and makes what could be triggering or fatalistic into something moving that will stick with you.
On The Count of Three is currently streaming on Hulu.
--Eric Beach