The Joke (1990): cast, story & where to watch
1990 · Film · ★ 8.5
Released in 1990, The Joke is a comedy and drama film directed by Yefim Abramov, running about 136 minutes.
What it’s about. Made in the tragic comedy genre, this film is about the dysfunctional Soviet management system in Azerbaijan SSR at the end of 1980s and about the decadence and corruption of the Soviet bureaucracy.
Who’s in it. The Joke stars Rasim Balayev as Rahimov, Jeyhun Mirzayev as Mammadov, Yashar Nuri as Mammad and Mukhtar Maniyev as Karimov, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 8.5/10, The Joke sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Joke page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Joke tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Joke (1990)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Joke change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Joke worth watching?
- The Joke holds an audience score of 8.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy and drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Joke?
- The Joke stars Rasim Balayev, Jeyhun Mirzayev, Yashar Nuri, Mukhtar Maniyev and Xuraman Hadjiyeva.
- When was The Joke released?
- The Joke was released in 1990, with a runtime of about 136 minutes.