Alamo Drafthouse warns parents that kids won’t dig Joker’s “bad vibes”

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

With Todd Phillips' JOKER set to be unleashed in theaters this Thursday thanks to early screenings, one theater chain has taken it upon themselves to warn parents about the film's "ultra violent" content, saying that kids are not likley to enjoy the movie's "overall bad vibes."

That theater company is the Alamo Drafthouse, who recently issued a detailed heads-up to parents via Facebook, citing the film's "gritty, dark, and realistic" take on Arthur Fleck's "TAXI DRIVER-esque decent into madness" as a Batman-less, R-rated film aimed at adult audiences.

As you can see from the post above, Alamo Drafthouse is not joking around when it comes to parents being made aware that JOKER is unlike any other comic book movie they've seen before. In other words, this ain't your daddy's Batman, and it's far more mature than Marvel's BLADE, which in 1998 had received an R-rating for violence, gore, sexual innuendo and other reasons that get parents excited to leave the kids with a babysitter for the evening.

Previously, Alamo Drafthouse announced that it would be hiring additional security personnel for its theaters that are set to screen Phillips' controversial villain-centric flick. The chief concern among many outlets and organizations is that JOKER will inspire real-life violence in those who view the film out of context. Deadline has also reported that NYPD officials plan to deploy undercover officers in screenings of the film, on the off-chance that something terrible goes down.

No other film this year has elicited this type of response by both theater owners as well as law enforcement officials. With JOKER looking to bank more than $80 million during its opening act this weekend, you can bet that theaterowners will be on high-alert while hosting the film. Here's hoping that the film opens wide without incident, and that everyone enjoys the release for what it is, entertainment.

JOKER will take the worldwide stage in theaters this Friday, October 4th.