Movie Review: Joker.
Joker is a 2019 American psychological thriller film directed and produced by Todd Phillips. The film, based on DC Comics characters, stars Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker and provides an alternative origin story for the character. Set in 1981, it follows Arthur Fleck, a failed clown and stand-up comedian whose descent into insanity and nihilism inspires a violent counter-cultural revolution against the wealthy in a decaying Gotham City. Joker takes place in Gotham City in 1981. Arthur Fleck is a party clown for a company called Ha-Ha’s, and also a stand-up comedian. While out on one job for Ha-Ha’s, a group of punk teens steals the sign he uses to advertise a store. Arthur chases after them into an alley, but they turn on him and smash the sign upside his head before giving him a ruthless beatdown. This attack comes during a time in Gotham’s history where crime, unemployment, and poverty run rampant.