"Fans of low-budget, unhinged trans parodies of comic book movies are in luck this week as The People's Joker finally becomes available to stream online. The infamous independent fan film inspired by the titular DC Comics character is now available to watch from the comfort of your own home almost three years after it was controversially banned. Clown-clad comedian, director, writer, and actress, Vera Drew, announced in a wonderfully chaotic Instagram video on Wednesday (21 January) that the film is now available to watch on streaming platforms Tubi and MUBI."
"The film, which features the work of over 200 artists, follows the journey of an "unfunny aspiring clown", played by Drew, who has spent years numbing herself with a fictional inhalant dubbed "Smylex" after showing signs as a child that she might be transgender. Eventually, she overcomes the fears and anxieties of living her truth and quite literally transforms into "Joker the Harlequin", a criminal comedian defying Gotham's anti-comedy laws."
"It was infamously pulled from the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) following legal pressure from DC Comics and its parent company Warner Bros over the film's prolific use of copyrighted content. The move prompted widespread backlash from fans who called for the TIFF organisers to show the self-described "illegal comic book movie". A movement calling to "Free The People's Joker " eventually grew into an international phenomenon among cinephiles who demanded the film be available to watch."
The People's Joker is now available to stream on Tubi and MUBI. The independent fan film was created and led by Vera Drew and features contributions from over 200 artists. The narrative follows an unfunny aspiring clown who numbs herself with a fictional inhalant called Smylex before embracing her transgender identity and transforming into Joker the Harlequin, a criminal comedian defying Gotham's anti-comedy laws. The film was pulled from the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival after legal pressure from DC Comics and Warner Bros, sparking a "Free The People's Joker" movement. The film premiered at Outfest in July 2023 and released on Blu-ray and VHS in 2024, with a UK and Ireland premiere in February 2025.
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