“Deadpool & Wolverine” is revolting, but popular
The film has had the highest-grossing opening of an R-rated film
![Ryan Reynolds in Walt Disney Studios new film: Deadpool & Wolverine. Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool is being licked on the face by his sidekick Dogpool.](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/content-assets/images/20240810_CUP001.jpg)
What is the most surprising thing about the new Marvel film, “Deadpool & Wolverine”, the first to be rated R? It is not the violence, which is gratuitous and unpleasantly tinged with sexuality (suffice to say that Wolverine’s claws go where no claws should). Instead, it may be the synopsis, which Disney released beforehand. This starts by explaining how the hero, Deadpool, must save the world from “an existential threat” then suddenly tails off. “Fuck,” it says. “Fuck. Synopses are so fucking stupid.”
This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Gross-out”
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