Jodie Foster’s career has been notably varied. As a child, she starred in lighthearted Disney films like “Napoleon and Samantha” and “Freaky Friday,” but shocked audiences by portraying an underage sex worker in Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver.”

In the 1980s, she continued her acting success with roles in films such as “Foxes,” “The Hotel New Hampshire,” and “The Accused,” for which she earned her first Academy Award. In 1991, she won her second Oscar for playing FBI cadet Clarice Starling in Jonathan Demme’s intense thriller “The Silence of the Lambs,” one of the rare films to win “The Big Five” Oscars (Actor, Actress, Screenplay, Director, and Picture). That same year, she made her directorial debut with the child-prodigy drama “Little Man Tate.”

Following this, Foster became a prominent figure in Hollywood, headlining several major studio dramas like “Maverick,” Robert Zemeckis’ “Contact,” and “Anna and the King.” She collaborated with David Fincher on “Panic Room” and with Spike Lee on “Inside Man.”

In 2007, she came out, revealing her partner of 12 years and their family life, further establishing her as a notable queer icon. In 2011, she directed the quirky psychological drama “The Beaver,” featuring her “Maverick” co-star Mel Gibson. Recently, she appeared in the 2023 Netflix biopic “Nyad” and in the fourth season of “True Detective.” It’s an impressive trajectory.

In 2023, Foster was interviewed by Greta Lee for Interview Magazine, where she discussed her favorite films. When Lee, star of “Past Lives,” asked her which movie everyone should see at least once, Foster’s answer was unexpected. She first recommended “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” still in theaters at the time, but then suggested the 2004 puppet-based parody “Team America: World Police.” Yes, seriously.

“Team America: World Police” was created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the creators of “South Park” and the revived Mexican restaurant experience Casa Bonita. They were fans of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s 1965 puppet adventure series “Thunderbirds,” and decided to make their own puppet film upon discovering that the then-upcoming 2002 “Thunderbirds” film would feature live actors.

This came shortly after 9/11, during a time when the George W. Bush administration was awkwardly starting wars in the Middle East. Stone and Parker viewed American political discourse as increasingly violent and jingoistic, with politicians positioning themselves as global enforcers.

“Team America: World Police” satirized this jingoism, depicting a team of American super-soldiers whose actions are reckless and destructive; they blow up the Louvre to capture a fleeing terrorist. The film’s villain is Kim Jong Il, and it includes multiple songs. While crass and absurd, “Team America” cleverly mocks the problematic politics of the Bush era.

When asked about her favorite film, Jodie Foster quickly mentioned it, stating:

“Oh, and this is probably number one: the puppet movie ‘Team America: World Police.’ […] A sense of humor is my touchstone, and I have a very dumb sense of humor. Sometimes with actors, even in the most dramatic circumstances, I like to laugh with them. I like to laugh about really intense things.”

“Team America” aimed for laughs by highlighting America’s tendency towards international aggression, emerging with a cynical tone. It’s not a sophisticated film—one scene involves puppets urinating on each other—but it possesses a unique, irreverent energy. Perhaps it suggests that detachment and sarcasm can be ways to cope.

Given that Foster’s directorial work has focused on gentle, sensitive characters in need of help, it’s surprising she praises “Team America,” a film noted for its irreverence. Some critics, like Roger Ebert, argued that Parker and Stone were unfocused in their critique, targeting both the Left and Right and resulting in a message that lacked clarity beyond its provocations.

In “Team America,” the titular heroes are actively opposed by a group of liberal Hollywood stars, led rather arbitrarily by Alec Baldwin. In a shadowy meeting, these actors conspire to undermine Team America by repeating magazine opinions and being self-righteous.

Janeane Garofalo, Matt Damon, Tim Robbins, Michael Moore, Sean Penn, George Clooney, and others are all ridiculed. Interestingly, Foster was not among them. Stone and Parker seem to equate outspoken liberal actors with Kim Jong Il. This false equivalence is a muddled message.

Foster, as a filmmaker, may be responding to a deeper aspect of “Team America.” The film also serves as a spoof of blockbuster director Michael Bay, known for his military glorification and bombastic action films that prioritize spectacle over substance.

When Bay attempts emotional storytelling, it often comes across as heavy-handed, lacking meaningful content. Notably, “Team America” even features a poignant love ballad that begins with, “I miss you more than Michael Bay missed the mark when he made ‘Pearl Harbor.'”

Though “Team America” may seem silly, it’s worth a closer look. Perhaps we should heed Foster’s suggestion and give it another watch.