In this dark and menacing comedy, Tommy, a rookie salesman of home- security systems, is taught to prey on our terror of a world ruled by evil chance. “Fear,” his boss tells him,”sells itself.” Tommy pitches the product with all the zeal of a new convert. He locks in the sale to his first customer, but falls in love with her in the process. Little does he suspect that he is part of an alarming scheme to boost sales by raising the crime rate — and his girlfriend is in the line of fire.

Stepping into this nightmare is john Calvin, the 16th-century theologian who rants about predestination, sin and depravity, tossing in a few hilarious words of advice to Beaver Cleaver and an occasional movie review as well.

A twilight zone of relentless paranoia, Life During Wartime is frightening, yes. But against your will, you’ll laugh like there‘s no tomorrow.