meta-humor

His films like 'Adaptation' and 'Synecdoche, New York' deconstruct filmmaking and storytelling itself, making the audience laugh at the artificiality of cinema.

He constantly references film history and genre conventions within his narratives, creating humor through characters who are aware they're in a movie-like situation.

His silent comedies mock modern society and filmmaking conventions through visual gags that comment on the medium itself and audience expectations of comedy.