An AMC movie theater audience member tweeted an image of a warning sign outside of the theater for the movie “Joker.”
The signs read: “This is not your typical comic book film and is only intended for mature audiences.”
The post includes the MPAA rating (rated R for strong blood violence, disturbing behavior, language and brief sexual images). An underline sentence reads, “under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardians.”
They had to slap this note on the door at the AMC in Freehold. pic.twitter.com/HofSGvlaVm
— Dan (@ToTheBreakOfDan) October 4, 2019
It’s unclear if the sign is an isolated warning or if AMC is spreading these signs throughout all of their theaters.
AMC debunked a separate sign that appeared in one of their theaters. This sign said AMC had a “no singles policy” for the “Joker” showing.
“So sorry for any confusion! This sign was not posted by us, and this is not our policy. The sign was removed as soon as it was found by the theatre team,” AMC tweeted.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema issued a warning for moviegoers about the film earlier this week, too, according to the Deseret News.
“Parental warning (this is not a joke). ‘Joker’ is Rated R and for good reason. There’s lots of very, very rough language, brutal violence, and overall bad vibes.
“It’s a gritty, dark, and realistic ‘Taxi Driver’-esque depiction of one man’s descent into madness. It’s not for kids, and they won’t like it, anyway.
“There’s no Batman.”
And the Parents Television Council weighed in with a statement about “Joker” and how it’s unfit for children, as reported by the Deseret News.
Along with the Alamo Drafthouse, and several movie critics, we want to warn parents about the extremely violent content in the Joker film that is being released nationwide this weekend. Despite its R-rating, parents may believe that this film is appropriate for kids given that it is an extension of the popular Batman franchise. Film critics have described the film’s horrific violence committed by the Joker and even criticized the timing of a film that asks viewers to sympathize with one man’s all-too-realistic decent into darkness.
We applaud Alamo for its unprecedented warning to parents about not taking their children to see this film because of its ‘very, very rough language, brutal violence, and overall bad vibes.’
With the Joker, Hollywood continues its war on kids by turning a comic book-themed franchise into violence-porn. Scientific research has concluded that media violence is among the top three contributing factors to societal violence. Our own research has found that violence in comic book-themed TV shows is increasing.
Hollywood cannot have it both ways – they cannot herald the entertainment they produce and distribute for its ability to change the world for good, while refuting the harmful impact it can have when the content is violent, sexually explicit, or profane.