Joker is easily one of my most anticipated films of 2019, and for good reason! DC has been putting out some strong movies recently, making an individual story about such a notorious villain incredibly exciting. It’s unlike any typical superhero film – it's far removed from the comic-book genre, sidestepping familiar origin story tropes and clichés. What we get is a character study that feels rare these days. I have to start with Joaquin Phoenix; he elevates every aspect of the movie. I won’t compare his performance to Heath Ledger's because that’s a comparison people seem destined to make forever. The films themselves are fundamentally different, even though they share a genre—and Joker is quite unique in its own right, despite centering on a well-known comic book villain. Phoenix embodies Arthur Fleck for nearly the entire film, whereas Ledger was more fully realized as the Joker, sharing screen time with Batman. Ultimately, both portrayals are impressive, but it's unfair to directly compare them given their distinct narrative roles and overall different films. Phoenix delivers what is undoubtedly my best performance of 2019 so far; I’m confident he’ll receive an Oscar thanks to a strong marketing campaign—he certainly deserves it! While Todd Phillips and Scott Silver crafted a brilliant screenplay, Phoenix takes it to another level entirely. Watching the film left me feeling uneasy, disturbed, even uncomfortable with what I was witnessing. It's a dark, violent, emotionally powerful origin story for a villain who evokes an unsettling sense of empathy. Phoenix’s performance is remarkable in how he portrays someone struggling with mental illness. Arthur Fleck’s descent into madness isn't due to some fantastical transformation; it stems from the behavior of society itself. The film suggests that "the world is getting crazier," and dealing with that reality becomes agonizing, especially when compounded by personal struggles that Arthur tries to mask with a smile. The screenplay is full of surprising plot twists that are genuinely upsetting. The final act is among the best I’ve seen in years; the buildup is substantial, and the payoff is exceptional. It's hard to recall another movie where every narrative choice felt so perfect. There are numerous subtle references for comic-book fans (and those familiar with the Dark Knight trilogy) that I thoroughly enjoyed. The ending features a particularly impactful moment that gave me chills—it couldn’t have been executed more flawlessly. My only minor criticism is that some scenes feel repetitive, neither advancing the plot nor offering anything new; while some contribute to tension, others just seem superfluous. The film seems destined for Best Picture and Best Actor nominations, but it deserves recognition beyond those accolades. Hildur Guðnadóttir’s original score is so captivating that I'm listening to it even as I write this review—it truly builds suspense and amplifies the sinister atmosphere of Gotham City. Lawrence Sher’s cinematography is stunning; the underexposure in certain scenes is particularly striking. He uses close-ups, especially of Phoenix, to great effect, allowing the actor to shine. Jeff Groth's editing is also superb, with several extended takes that showcase Phoenix’s raw emotion and contribute to the narrative flow. Regarding the controversy surrounding the film's potential messages and its possible influence on violence, I have little to say beyond it being ridiculous. Movie theaters used to be a place of escape—a way to forget about work and everyday life. This is a fictional story about the origin of one of cinema’s most infamous psychopaths. If people expected to leave feeling happy or joyful, then at least the film's core message rings true: society really *is* getting crazier. Have we forgotten who Joker is? What should viewers expect from his backstory? Nowadays, it seems people lack basic manners (social media being a primary source of spreading negativity). Respect for others and even the planet has diminished. People are increasingly self-absorbed. Political agendas dominate everything, and new extreme movements emerge constantly. Social sensitivity is growing exponentially. Just as some will reject this film because they can’t accept feeling empathy for a murderer, people worldwide behave in ways that ignore the impact of their actions on others. If someone resorts to violence after watching Joker, how can they criticize the film's message when it's essentially true? Overall, Joker is among the best films of the year and firmly within my Top 3 at the time of this review. Joaquin Phoenix delivers my favorite male performance of 2019, elevating a script about the origin of one of cinema’s most infamous villains. The gradual descent into insanity is fascinating to observe, but it's his ability to elicit empathy for a psychopath that truly captivates. Todd Phillips has crafted an astonishingly tense character study with a payoff that’s among the most chilling I’ve experienced in recent years. Every narrative decision feels spot-on, and Hildur Guðnadóttir’s score and Lawrence Sher's cinematography are exceptional. The film’s unwillingness to shy away from depicting the brutal violence (both physical and mental) inflicted on one another is what makes it so unsettling—because we know it’s largely true, and we resist acknowledging it. It isn't a film *about* the Joker; it’s a disturbingly realistic portrayal of someone who could become like him. P.S. Robert De Niro (as Murray Franklin) and Zazie Beetz (as Sophie Dumond) also deliver excellent performances. Phoenix’s performance is so captivating that I almost forgot other actors were in the film. Rating: A

Source on TMDB