In case there was still any doubt that Joker won’t be like other comic book films, this latest bit of news should be the final straw. Via CBR, the film’s official website has recently been updated to confirm its R-rating.
Joker has been rated R for “strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language, and brief sexual images.” “Disturbing behavior” is the understatement of the year when it comes to the Clown Prince of Crime. Still, seeing it reflected in the film’s official rating all but guarantees that this will be a more brutal version of the Joker than we’ve seen onscreen before. It also makes us wonder what sort of havoc the Joker is wreaking in order to earn this distinction. It also beats next year’s Birds of Prey to the punch of being the first R-rated DC film.
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The Joker has always been portrayed as a murderous psychopath in just about every form of media. Regardless, Todd Phillips’ upcoming film will mark the character’s first R-rated live-action appearance. Tim Burton’s original Batman, The Dark Knight, and Suicide Squad all settled for PG-13 ratings. Warner Brothers’ adaptation of Batman: The Killing Joke was christened with an R-rating when it was released in 2016. But of course, this was an animated film, and not live-action.
Joker will finally hit theaters on October 4.
Are you more excited to see Joker now that it has officially been rated R? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Batman Vol. 3: Death of the Family
