Throw Momma from the Train is a clever 1987 dark comedy that puts a hilarious spin on Alfred Hitchcock's classic Strangers on a Train. The film follows Larry Donner (Billy Crystal), a bitter writing professor whose life is ruined by his successful ex-wife. His most hopeless student, Owen Lift (Danny DeVito), is trapped under the thumb of his monstrous, overbearing mother (Anne Ramsey in an Oscar-nominated performance). When Owen half-jokingly suggests they 'criss-cross' murders—each killing the other's problem person—a chaotic and farcical plot is set into motion.

Danny DeVito, who also directed, delivers a masterclass in comedic timing, playing Owen with a perfect blend of pathetic sympathy and unsettling earnestness. Billy Crystal provides the perfect straight-man foil, his escalating desperation fueling the film's momentum. The real scene-stealer, however, is Anne Ramsey as the titular 'Momma,' whose terrifying presence and iconic line delivery created one of cinema's most memorably awful mothers.

The film succeeds as both a loving homage to Hitchcockian thrillers and a standalone slapstick comedy. DeVito's direction is sharp, balancing the dark premise with genuinely laugh-out-loud physical comedy and witty dialogue. While the premise is morbid, the execution remains lighthearted and accessible. Viewers should watch Throw Momma from the Train for its brilliant performances, especially Ramsey's, and its unique blend of crime thriller mechanics with broad, character-driven humor. It's a cult classic that remains wildly entertaining, showcasing DeVito's unique vision as a filmmaker and comedian.