10 Movie Details Hidden In Subtitles

Did Captain Britain make his MCU debut in Avengers: Endgame?

star wars Rey
Disney

There are two types of film watchers - those who watch everything with subtitles turned on, and those who just can't bear the damn distraction.

No judgement here in either case, but watching movies with subtitles on can be a valuable way to get a little more out of your viewing experience, because subtitle tracks on both home video and streaming services can reveal subtleties about a scene that you'd otherwise have little chance of hearing.

Seemingly insignificant incidental dialogue is often mixed-down so low that even those wearing headphones are scarcely able to hear it, but thanks to subtitles, you're able to know precisely what everybody is saying.

While much of this dialogue may be totally minor in the scope of the overall narrative, sometimes these surreptitious one-liners do actually reveal neat details about a movie's story or characters, or even offer up a nifty Easter egg nobody saw coming.

And if you managed to catch any of these without subtitles switched on, give yourself a firm pat on the back...

10. Benjamin Stoner's Cameo - Joker

star wars Rey
Warner Bros.

Actor Frank Wood has a small role in Joker as the doctor seen providing a psychological analysis of Arthur Fleck's (Joaquin Phoenix) mother Penny (Frances Conroy).

Despite the seemingly minimal significance of his role, those watching the movie on Blu-ray with the subtitles on will find that the character is referred to in captions as "Stoner."

Furthermore, the film's end credits list Wood's character as Dr. Stoner, seeming to suggest that this is actually the DC villain Dr. Benjamin Stoner, better known as Anti-Fate.

Anti-Fate made his comic debut in 1987, after Arkham Asylum's head doctor Stoner was possessed by a Lord of Chaos, Typhon. Donning a magical helmet granted Stoner the powers of flight, invulnerability, and the ability to sense nearby magic.

While this was clearly more of an Easter egg than a direct nod towards a future role in any prospective sequel, it's still a cute reference and might also suggests Penny's case may not have been handled in the most honest way.

Joker Joaquin Phoenix
Warner Bros.
 
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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.