Mask Ban In Place At AMC Theatres, Including Churchville

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — AMC Theatres issued a reminder recently that audience members are not allowed to wear anything that obscures their faces at its locations nationwide, including its Churchville multiplex. Costumes are still permitted.

"Guests are welcome to come dressed in costume, but we do not permit masks, face paint or any object that conceals the face," AMC said in a statement. "AMC does not permit weapons or items that would make other guests feel uncomfortable or detract from the movie-going experience."

The chain banned masks in theaters after the 2012 mass shooting in Colorado, which took place during an earlier Batman film.

In response to growing concerns about the violence depicted in the "Joker" film and after worries expressed by the families of those killed in Colorado, Landmark Theaters announced it will ban moviegoers from wearing masks, painted faces or costumes to screenings of the upcoming "Joker" film. The only Landmark Theater in the region is in Baltimore at Harbor East.

The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as a failed clown who unravels into darkness and fights back against society. The movie has been criticized for glorifying mass violence, and Phoenix recently walked out of an interview after being asked whether the film could inspire real violence.

In the weeks before the film’s opening, the FBI told local law-enforcement agencies across the country to watch for troubling online posts, according to the Washington Post.

U.S. military officials also warned about possible violence at screenings after they were contacted by FBI agents who reportedly found social media posts from extremists about possible violence at theaters.

The Army released a memo about online “chatter” on the dark web of threats at a Joker screening. The memo has caused theaters to plan extra security for the film.

"Joker" is set for release Friday.

AMC Churchville is at 2408 Churchville Road, Bel Air.

— By Gus Saltonstall and Elizabeth Janney