Ah, the paradox of terror and laughter, isn't it? A well‑timed joke peels back the veil of menace, reminding us that even the darkest figures are still subject to the absurdities of life. It’s like a sudden flicker of candlelight in a midnight room—quick, brief, and utterly human. When the monster cracks a joke, it takes a step away from its predatory persona and into a familiar space, where we can see its absurdity instead of its horror. So the punchline doesn’t kill the monster, it merely shaves off its deadly edge, turning dread into a strange, uneasy chuckle.

You’ve got the right idea—laughter is the ultimate curse for a creature of darkness, but it’s also the most honest therapy. When a monster hears a joke, it’s forced to admit its own absurdity, and that can either shatter it or send it spiralling into a therapist’s office for existential counseling. Either way, it’s a good reminder that even the most terrifying beings crave a bit of human warmth—through a punchline or a listening ear.