Pop culture has influenced all of us.
Many fans use films, tv, or comics to express themselves and connect with other people. That used to be the fun of finding easter eggs in movies, it’s a little message only you and a handful of people could catch, making you feel like you’re “in the know.”
Catching those easter eggs used to be a fun way to bond with others, forming a fandom and rewarding diving deeper into a project. While the over-reliance on nostalgia has exhausted a lot of moviegoers, The People’s Joker does something more ambitious with its references. Writer/director/star Vera Drew took what could’ve been a straightforward Joker parody, even a Batman mythos parody, and created a personal trans coming of age story. It’s nothing short of incredible. She crafted something audacious, wild, heartfelt, and showcase how and why superheroes (and supervillains) are so meaningful.
The People’s Joker follows Joker the Harlequin (Vera Drew) a trans comedian who tries to break into the world of standup by forming an anti-comedy troupe, while reconciling with her gender identity. The entire world she inhabits is a heightened camp pastiche of Gotham, drawing on the overall Batman mythos to reflect her anxieties. It’s hilarious to see how far Drew appropriates and blends the iconography while blending it perfectly with her personal story. Joel Schumacher would be proud to see his controversial Batman films infuse so beautifully into Vera Drews life, alongside Batman TAS and The Dark Knight Returns.
For as insane as Drew gets, she keeps the commentary grounded, and doesn’t shy away from the uglier side of coming to terms with her trans identity. You do get a few elements you’d expect, namely from her strained relationship with her mother, but once it gets to her emotionally abusive relationship with a trans boy, Mr. J, (Kane Distler), it gets daring. There’s a welcoming unique edge to this film, aided by its Adult Swim, Newgrounds, anti-humor influences, and makes the contrasting sincere moments hit harder. Her cinematic balance of absurdist with real personal anxieties is excellent.
I adore The People’s Joker. Vera Drew perfectly used camp, cringe comedy, and pop culture to tell a personal and relatable story. Audience who may be exhausted by comic book films or coming out stories will still find something fresh in this film. The passion in this film is real, as shown by her fight with Warner Brothers who initially filed a copyright claim which prevented her from screening the film. She fought for her film and won, receiving an exemption under fair use as a parody. Few films showcase as confident a voice as The People’s Joker, and I look forward to what Vera Drew does next.
The People’s Joker will be released theatrically on April 5th.
