The People's Joker

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1:37

The People's Joker

Released Apr 5, 2024

1h 32m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

109 Reviews

65%

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

Full Review

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

Cris Kennedy

Inner East Review

The film's genuine power, and it is a powerful piece of art, is in the obvious piece of autobiography Vera Drew has made about themselves and their journey.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 10, 2025

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Joshua Polanski

Bay Area Reporter

"The People's Joker" is well on its way to being a nail in the superhero coffin the same way "Blazing Saddles" was for Westerns or "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" for musician biopics.

Dec 24, 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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IH H

Wouldn't recommend something this forced to anyone

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/07/25

Full Review

D M

It was not great, from uninteresting plot to the lead being overshadowed acting wise by the other cast members A great movie to say, I support trans acting, a terrible movie overall besides that

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/03/25

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

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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

1:37

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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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