The dystopian thriller The Lobster, starring Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz (Oz the Great and Powerful),was a big hit when it premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Described as a “surreal parable,” this near-future flick takes place in a society in which people are required to find a mate within a designated time period or face the consequence of being transformed into the animal of their choice.

If the premise seems humorous, it’s because the movie is more of a comedy than a prophetic drama. The storyline could almost be a parody of such popular dystopian franchises as The Hunger Games and Divergent. The movie centers on Dave (Farrell), who checks into a creepy hotel for single people and given 45 days to find a mate. He eventually escapes and takes up with a group of rebel singles living in the woods, where he falls in love.

The cast also includes John C. Reilly (Guardians of the Galaxy), Jessica Barden (Far from the Madding Crowd), Ashley Jensen (Ugly Betty), and Olivia Colman, best known for the political biopic The Iron Lady.

This is the English-language debut of Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, who directed and co-wrote the project. Collaborating on the screenplay was frequent writing partner Efthymis Filippou. The duo is known for scripts that are imaginative, unusual and provocative, such as the 2011 Greek drama Alps, about a group of people who earn money impersonating the recently deceased to help bereaved clients through the grieving process.