Joe Versus the Volcano

Sunday, August 4, 2024

Introduction by director and writer John Patrick Shanley, on Sunday, August 4 at 6:15!

Screening on 35mm!

Once upon a time… When office drone Joe (Tom Hanks) is diagnosed with a rare “brain cloud” by his doctor and given six months to live, he accepts an offer from business magnate Graynamore (Lloyd Bridges) to “live like a king, die like a man” – that is, enjoy the lap of luxury until he must act as a human sacrifice and leap into a volcano.

Marketed as something far more conventional upon its release, the film puzzled many critics and audiences with its high style, eccentric sense of humor, and unfashionable sincerity.

“John Patrick Shanley’s film is so visionary and epic in conception that it really requires a big screen to make its ideal impact… As I wrote in my review: ‘I had not seen this movie before. Most movies, I have seen before. Most movies, you have seen before. Most movies are constructed out of bits and pieces of other movies, like little engines built from cinematic Erector sets. But not JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO.’ I continue to believe it deserves greater recognition, and cannot understand why I gave it 3.5 stars instead of four.” – Roger Ebert

Screening as part of our series Defamed to Acclaimed

See more and save! Get a Defamed to Acclaimed Pack (3-ticket pack: $30 for IFC Center members and $45 for non-members). Ticket packs are good for any shows in the series lasting from August 2-15, 2024.

  • Country USA
  • Year 1990
  • Running Time 102 minutes
  • Format 35mm
  • Distributor Park Circus
  • Director John Patrick Shanley
  • Cast Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack, Abe Vigoda
  • Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.