Story Breakdown

The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. The activities of rampaging, indiscriminate serial killer Ben are recorded by a willingly complicit documentary team, who eventually become his accomplices and active participants. Ben provides casual commentary on the nature of his work and arbitrary musings on topics of interest to him, such as music or the conditions of low-income housing, and even goes so far as to introduce the documentary crew to his family. But their reckless indulgences soon get the better of them. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.

Narrative Structure

• Opening Hook: Man Bites Dog's opening establishes the comedic tone through Benoît Poelvoorde as Ben's interactions, introducing the central conflict with humor and character quirks that Rémy Belvaux layers throughout.
• Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Benoît Poelvoorde's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
• Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together the recurring threads, with Benoît Poelvoorde's storyline wrapping up predictably but entertainingly.