“Rubber” is an unconventional film from 2010 created by director Quentin Dupieux. It is a black comedy that tells an absurdly funny story. The film gained notoriety for its crazy ideas and unique approach.
The plot of “Rubber” revolves around a serial killer – but not just any ordinary killer, but a murdering car tyre named Robert. Yes, you heard right, the protagonist of the film is a tyre. Robert develops telekinetic powers and starts killing people in bizarre ways by making their heads explode (This is somehow reminiscent of the 80s classic “Scanners”). A group of spectators who witness the murders become part of the action and observe the events with binoculars.
The film “Rubber” is characterised by its surreal narrative style and breaks with many conventions of classical narrative cinema. One of the most interesting ideas of the film is certainly the anthropomorphic representation of a tyre as the main character. This absurd conception allows the director to introduce various satirical elements and make the audience think about the nature of the film itself. The film deliberately plays with the audience’s expectations and confronts them with seemingly pointless events and dialogue.
Another remarkable idea in “Rubber” is the inclusion of a group of viewers as active participants in the plot. These viewers are addressed directly and take part in absurd discussions about the sense and nonsense of film conventions. This reinforces the meta-level of the film and creates an ironic reflection on the perception of art and entertainment.
