The best comedy movies of 2022, ranked

What happens when a reclusive inventor creates an improvised, sentient robot in the Welsh countryside? You'll find the answer in "Brian and Charles," a 2022 Sundance Film Festival indie darling featuring a seemingly simple robot made up of a washing machine, mannequin head, and various odds and ends. -brac. Things start off simple enough with the robot learning English from a dictionary, showing an obsession with cabbages, and naming himself Charles Petrescu, while forming a nice friendship with its eccentric creator, Brian. But their friendship takes a turn when Charles wants to see more of the outside world and begins to push Brian away as a rebellious teenager.

At the beginning of the film, it's Brian's strange inventions that make you laugh. But once Brian created Charles, much of the comedy comes from the deadpan delivery of the robot voice he gave, like an old computer model. It only gets more hilarious when Charles starts giving Brian a bit of attitude, wanting to go to town or go to Hawaii. The awkward way Charles moves around the house is also worth some good laughs, especially when he's dancing or trying to sneak around and be discreet.

The expressionless face combined with the dry, robotic voice is endlessly funny. But more importantly, the film features a wonderful, blossoming friendship where the two pals learn a bit about themselves in the process. It's a true gem of indie comedy.