Watch Joker

Following Joker's release in October 2019, the movie became a cultural phenomenon, both captivating and dividing audiences with its portrayal of a character many have come to know through his appearances in comic books and movies. Centred around Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a failed stand-up comedian struggling with a mental illness in the dark and gritty Gotham City of the late 1970s, the movie traces his journey from being a lonely and vulnerable outsider to becoming a figure of both inspiration and terror.

Joker opens with Arthur dressed up as a clown, one of his many jobs as a freelance street performer, dancing in front of a store, only to have it snatched away from him by a group of teenagers, setting off a violent altercation that sets the tone for the rest of the movie. Throughout the film, Arthur's delusional tendencies, a reliance on prescription drugs, and an increasingly violent streak all contribute to the character's downward spiral, which culminates in a twist ending that has become the subject of much discussion.

As the story progresses, Arthur's life starts to unravel as he loses his jobs, his therapist, and his grip on reality. His insecurities are both fuelled and soothed by his obsession with Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro), a talk show host he dreams of meeting and who eventually becomes a catalyst for Arthur's descent from sanity to madness. The movie is a deeply psychological study of a character whose mental state is repeatedly refracted through the prism of his inner turmoil, the city's pervasive and unchecked violence, and his desperate yearning for both acceptance and recognition.

Phoenix delivers a standout performance that is equal parts sympathetic and unsettling, expertly capturing the nuances of a character who is both terrifying and sympathetic. His physicality and cadence, often unsettling and erratic, convey a deep sense of internal anguish that makes the audience empathize with him, despite his moral failures. The movie also benefits from a stellar supporting cast, including Frances Conroy as Arthur's mother Penny, Brett Cullen as Thomas Wayne, and Zazie Beetz as Arthur's neighbour Sophie.

Despite its clear links to the Batman universe, Joker is a movie that stands alone, offering a fresh and unique take on one of comic's book's most iconic villains. It's both a character study and a commentary on the broken system that allows inequality and violence to fester and grow, skillfully woven together by director Todd Phillips' and screenwriter Scott Silver's storytelling. The movie's cinematography, soundtrack, and production design all contribute to the overall atmosphere, immersing audiences in a dark and seedy world where chaos reigns.

Above all, Joker is an exploration of one man's descent into madness, starkly portrayed through the lens of a society that values wealth and power over compassion and empathy. It's a movie that begs to be discussed and dissected, offering a complex and compelling portrait of a character that, for better or worse, has become an integral part of pop culture.

Joker is a 2014 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes.