This buzzy parody reinvents The Joker. Here's how to see 'The People's Joker' in Columbia

The latest buzzed-about superhero movie is almost to Columbia, but this is no sterilized, big-budget affair stacked top-to-bottom with A-listers. In fact, early on, the superpowers-that-be tried to halt this story from hitting big screens.

Vera Drew's "The People's Joker" arrives at Ragtag Cinema Friday — for one weekend only — with a remarkable origin story of its own. Here's how the movie got here.

What is 'The People's Joker' about?

Something between a parody and a deeply personal expression, Drew — who co-wrote, directs and stars in the title role — blends origin stories into something wholly unique.

In this telling, the eventual Joker — the one we know from the Batman universe — hails from Smallville, Kansas, and harbors dreams of becoming the next big comedy sensation. Facing gender dysphoria and a host of professional hurdles, our sort-of hero realizes her identity as a trans woman and shakes up the comedy world.

Who is Vera Drew?

The Chicago native refers to herself as "the transgender Forrest Gump of alt-comedy," according to a 2022 Daily Beast article. Drew has a serious resumé, working as an editor on shows ranging from "Comedy Bang! Bang!" to Tim Robinson's "I Think You Should Leave." Drew is also the editor on the upcoming horror film "Carnage for Christmas."

"The People's Joker" taps into a number of the artist's creative concerns.

"I don't know that I was necessarily gearing up to write my first feature or something, but I knew I needed to do some sort of big creative project around gender, comedy, and mom issues," Drew told The Daily Beast. "The Holy Trinity, as I call it."

Who else is in 'The People's Joker?'

A number of comedy and "anti-comedy" insiders, befitting Drew's experience, show up in the film, including Bob Odenkirk (as Bob the Goon), Scott Aukerman (Mr. Freeze), Tim Heidecker (Perry White) and Maria Bamford (as Lorne Michaels — yes, Lorne Michaels).

What hurdles did 'The People's Joker' face?

"The People's Joker" was initially set to debut at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, but was pulled by Drew after pressure around copyright concerns, further amplifying conversation over whether the film qualified as a fair-use parody or was something altogether different.

Drew and Co. wound their way around the controversy, and the film eventually received a distributor, finding its way into the world.

What do reviewers think of 'The People's Joker?'

Early this week, "The People's Joker" was more than holding its own critically, holding a 95% rating at Rotten Tomatoes.

"The People’s Joker is a self-conscious, intentional cult film, crafted with genuine love for everything in the margins," Jourdain Seales wrote for The Hollywood Reporter.

And critic / "Filmspotting" podcast co-host Josh Larsen dug around the film's aesthetic, writing, "If Andy Warhol had been raised on Minecraft, he might have made something like The People’s Joker. A tech-art treatise inspired by an enduring pop myth, then filtered through an anti-corporate queer lens, this is a movie to rally around and reckon with."

How can you see 'The People's Joker' in Columbia?

The film will screening Friday through Sunday at Ragtag Cinema and, per the indie moviehouse's website, those currently are its only scheduled dates. Learn more at https://ragtagcinema.org/film/the-peoples-joker/.

Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. He's on Twitter/X @aarikdanielsen.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Subversive 'People's Joker' is on its way to Columbia's Ragtag Cinema