How successful was the bbfc in regulating the joker?

 the film is filled with violence and has a dark tone, however it is classified as a 15 instead of an 18 because the film doesn’t dwell too heavily on the infliction of pain and misery. However many people had issues with it because of the amount of violence

A trailer for the film was submitted by Warner Brothers in March 2019, with a 12A request. Compliance Officers noted that 'There is an unsettling and dark tone throughout, and there are certain shots which would be uncomfortable at the 12A category'. They cited a scene in which Fleck smashes his head into a mirror and another in which he is hit by a car. All subsequent trailers were given a 15 rating.

After being viewed by the BBFC's Chief Executive and the Head of Compliance in the screening room at Warner Brothers' London base, it was decided that the film could be released at a rating of 15. the main issue of contention for weather the film should get a 15 rating or an 18 was the amount of violence. Some people viewed it as too strong for a 15 audience, with scenes such as some men being shot with bloody impact detail and a chat show host executed at close range. However it was deemed ok because BBFC Guidelines at 15 state that 'Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury’.

This shows that it was effective because it didn’t stick to the requested 12A rating, but realised that the violence levels were too high because of the amount of violence, and moved it up to a 15 rating. As well as this, it was viewed by the chief executive and the head of compliance for the bbfc, so therefore it had been thoroughly looked at and reviewed, meaning that the age rating of 15 was a successful and appropriate rating according to BBFC guidelines.