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Critics have pointed out the film allows incels to sympathize with the main character, where incels too feel alienated from society and often turn to violent thought and actions when they believe they have not been given what they deserve, especially when it comes to sex, romantic relationships and desired physical features.

Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures

Families of victims who died in the Aurora movie shooting signed a letter to Warner Bros, raising concerns about the film and its depiction of gun violence, said the Hollywood Reporter.

“We are calling on you to be a part of the growing chorus of corporate leaders who understand that they have a social responsibility to keep us all safe,” the letter read. In it, the writers asked the movie company to donate to groups that help victims of gun violence.

Warner Bros. came out with its own statement Tuesday, responding to the letter of the Aurora shooting victims by extending sympathies.

“Our company has a long history of donating to victims of violence, including Aurora, and in recent weeks, our parent company joined other business leaders to call on policymakers to enact bi-partisan legislation to address this epidemic,” the statement said.

Photo by Mario Anzuoni/REUTERS

“At the same time, Warner Bros. believes that one of the functions of storytelling is to provoke difficult conversations around complex issues. Make no mistake: neither the fictional character Joker, nor the film, is an endorsement of real-world violence of any kind. It is not the intention of the film, the filmmakers or the studio to hold this character up as a hero.”

Last week, Phoenix apparently walked out of an interview after the Telegraph’s Robbie Collin asked him about the violent implications of the film.

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