The People's Joker

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The People's Joker

Released Apr 5

1h 32m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

107 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

In the absurdist autobiographically-inspired dark comedy, a painfully unfunny aspiring clown (Vera Drew as Joker the Harlequin) grapples with her gender identity while unsuccessfully attempting to join the ranks of Gotham City's sole comedy program in a world where comedy has been outlawed. Uniting with a ragtag team of rejects and misfits, Joker the Harlequin forms an illegal anti-comedy troupe that puts her on a collision course with the devious caped crusader controlling the city.

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Critics Consensus

The People's Joker uses classic characters in impressively inventive ways, working within a familiar framework to tell an invigorating story of self-acceptance.

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Adam Nayman

The Ringer

The best satire splits the difference between affection and contempt, and the debut of Vera Drew, the comedy writer turned DIY dynamo, is no different.

Jul 23, 2024

Full Review

Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

Original, daring, and definitely not for everyone.

May 8, 2024

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Dylan Roth

Observer

Shot over five days, this very indie movie stars writer-director Vera Drew as Joker the Harlequin and borrows liberally from the Batman universe to tell a story of personal discovery.

Rated: 3/4

May 8, 2024

Full Review

Noah Berlatsky

Everything is Horrible (Substack)

It’s a movie that refuses to wear anything but the weird, lumpy, ill-fitting self it is. As such, it becomes the glorious, villainous scheme even Batman can’t crack.

Dec 7, 2024

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Tina Kakadelis

Beyond the Cinerama Dome

The People’s Joker is an explosion of anger, joy, and art. More earnest and important than any superhero movie that came before it.

Nov 14, 2024

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Those who found Todd Phillips’ 2019 Joker edgy and exciting should steer clear of The People’s Joker. But those who found it shallow and sophomoric should take to this dazzling DIY achievement.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 2, 2024

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Shioka O

Obviously it's not for everyone but I think this is not a bad satire and liked the crazy visuals. Realistic casting and people.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/09/24

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Paul H

I really liked the basic storyline and the acting was superb, but the madcap cinematography and lapses into absurd imagery and scenes, while exquisitely done, only diffused and diluted the story and one's ability to relate to the characters. TL;DNR: Could have been a good movie, but it was way too artsy-fartsy for its own good.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/04/24

Full Review

Cedar M

Genuine, funny, and truly unique! A film that I felt has a lot more to say than the source material it parodies. Worth a watch if you want something different.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/24/24

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Chris S

Moving, creative, and memorable. I've never seen anything else like it. My favorite film from this year so far.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/09/24

Full Review

Bastion C

Honestly, a great watch! Definitely not something for everyone, but if you're an artsy comic queer then you'll be right at home! It's so aware of itself and its audience, niche as it may be. If I had seen this film fifteen years ago, my egg would've cracked on the spot! It's so nice to feel so seen and so understood, and it's even better to be able to look back on the hardest parts and laugh!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/17/24

Full Review

Ethan B

Contrary to modern belief, not every movie must appeal to every audience -- The People's Joker absolutely revels in this, crafting a unique and stirring narrative that speaks deeply to the exact people that needed to hear it while leaving no room for misinterpretation. This movie's infamous debut, which tested the limits of American parody law in the face of sanitized corporate monoliths, served as a necessary wake-up call to the banality of prestige cinema. It is a movie that is simultaneously a heartfelt deconstruction of transgender identity and an unhinged nitro-fueled parody of classic Batman camp, a lovingly-crafted mess of a movie that could not have worked better any other way. Keep your greasepaint, Warner Bros: the people have their hero, and she's a real laugh riot.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/26/24

Full Review

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Vera Drew

Director

Vera Drew

Joker the Harlequin

Lynn Downey

Joker's Mom

Kane Distler

Mr. J

Griffin Kramer

Young Joker

Nathan Faustyn

Penguin

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The People's Joker: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the absurdist autobiographically-inspired dark comedy, a painfully unfunny aspiring clown (Vera Drew as Joker the Harlequin) grapples with her gender identity while unsuccessfully attempting to join the ranks of Gotham City's sole comedy program in a world where comedy has been outlawed. Uniting with a ragtag team of rejects and misfits, Joker the Harlequin forms an illegal anti-comedy troupe that puts her on a collision course with the devious caped crusader controlling the city.

Director: Vera Drew
Producer: Joey Lyons
Screenwriter: Vera Drew, Bri LeRose
Distributor: Altered Innocence
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 5, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 6, 2024
Runtime: 1h 32m

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