Joker (2019)
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A mentally ill clown's descent into moral nihilism sparks a violent revolution in a decaying city.
The story
In 1981, Arthur Fleck is a struggling party clown and aspiring stand-up comedian living in the crime-ridden Gotham City. Suffering from a neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable laughing fits, Arthur navigates a world that often ignores or mocks him. While attempting to build a connection with a neighbor, Sophie Dumond, his life takes a turn after a series of escalating incidents, including a violent encounter on the subway. As the city faces budget cuts and social unrest, Arthur's deteriorating mental state and the growing public's reaction to his actions begin to fuel a volatile atmosphere of unrest.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Arthur Fleck, a mentally ill clown in Gotham City, suffers from a neurological disorder and is marginalized by society. After a violent altercation on the subway leads to his public notoriety, he becomes a symbol for a growing countercultural movement. His life spirals as he discovers his mother's delusions regarding his parentage and realizes his relationship with Sophie was a fantasy. Following the death of his mother and a series of escalating confrontations, Arthur appears on a late-night talk show hosted by Murray Franklin. There, he adopts a 'Joker' persona, rants about societal neglect, and kills Murray on live television. This act triggers a massive riot across Gotham. Amidst the chaos, the Wayne family is attacked; Thomas and Martha Wayne are murdered, while their son Bruce survives. Arthur is eventually captured and ends up in Arkham State Hospital, where he is seen laughing to himself during a therapy session.
- First release year
- 2019
- Runtime (minutes)
- 122
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Todd Phillips
- Writers
- Todd Phillips · writer; Scott Silver · writer
- Cast and characters
- Joaquin Phoenix · Arthur Fleck / Joker; Robert De Niro · Maurice "Murray" Franklin; Zazie Beetz · Sophie Dumond; Frances Conroy · Penny Fleck
- Genres
- psychological thriller
- Themes
- mental illness; social alienation; nihilism
- Tone and mood
- dark; gritty
- Setting
- Gotham City, 1981
- Premise and plot tags
- origin story; anti-hero
- Source material / true-story basis
- DC Comics
- Franchise connections
- DC
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, though Joaquin Phoenix's performance received widespread acclaim. It was a major box office success, becoming the first R-rated film to gross over $1 billion worldwide.
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Actor · Won; Academy Award · Best Original Score · Won; British Academy Film Award · Best Actor in a Leading Role · Won; British Academy Film Award · Best Casting · Won; British Academy Film Award · Best Original Music · Won; Golden Globe Award · Best Original Score · Won; Golden Globe Award · Best Actor · Won; Screen Actors Guild Award · Best Actor · Won; Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Award · Best Period and/or Character Make-Up in a Feature-Length Motion Picture · Won
- Production trivia
- The film was the first live-action theatrical Batman film to receive an R rating.; Joaquin Phoenix lost 52 pounds (23 kg) for his role.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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