Todd Phillips’ mega-hit Joker was the most complained about film of 2019, according to a report released by The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).
The BBFC published a list classifying films that garnered the most public complaints, and the Joaquin Phoenix starrer topped the list with 20 complaints filed against its age rating – the DC origin story had an age 15 classification for “strong bloody violence and language”.
The complainants’ argument centred on their demand that the film should’ve had a higher age rating. “Several stated that we should have classified the film 18 because of violence and the film’s tone,” revealed the BBFC report. A fraction of people also felt that the film should’ve been completely banned.
Despite the film’s intensity, the BBFC went on to justify the rating, saying, “There are scenes of strong violence in the film that include stabbings and shootings, with accompanying bloody injury detail. They do not, however, dwell on the infliction of pain or injury in a manner that requires an 18.”
The independent board is required to submit an annual report to the Secretary of State and this year, it received just 149 complaints in total, which it said was “fewer than half the number of complaints received in 2018.” And also significantly less than previous year - to put it in perspective, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight received over 300 complaints back in 2008.
Other movies that made it to list include The Favourite, John Wick: Chapter Three – Parabellum and Alita: Battle Angel.
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