Joker
Joker is a 2019 American psychological thriller film directed by Todd Phillips from a screenplay he co-wrote with Scott Silver. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix and is loosely based on DC Comics characters, including the Joker. It follows Arthur Fleck, a failed clown and aspiring stand-up comedian whose descent into mental illness and nihilism culminates with the emergence of an alter-ego known as "Joker" and inspires a violent countercultural revolution against the wealthy in a decaying Gotham City. Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, and Frances Conroy appear in supporting roles. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, Joker was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Films in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, Bron Creative and Joint Effort. Phillips conceived Joker in 2016 and wrote the script with Silver throughout 2017. The two were inspired by 1970s character studies and the films of Martin Scorsese, particularly Taxi Driver (1976) and The King of Comedy (1982); Scorsese was initially attached to the project as a producer. The film loosely adapts plot elements from Batman: The Killing Joke (1988) and The Dark Knight Returns (1986), but Phillips and Silver otherwise did not look to specific comics for inspiration, nor did he wish for it to be connected to any prior Batman film continuity. Phoenix became attached in February 2018 and was cast that July, while the majority of the cast signed on by August. Principal photography took place in New York City, Jersey City and Newark, from September to December 2018. Joker is the first live-action theatrical Batman film to receive an R rating from the Motion Picture Association. Joker premiered at the 76th Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2019, where it won the Golden Lion, and was theatrically released in the United States on October 4. The film was a box office success and set records for an October release. It grossed over $1 billion, becoming the first R-rated film to do so, and it was the highest-grossing R-rated film until being surpassed by Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024. It was also the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2019. The film received numerous accolades, including two Academy Award wins at the 92nd Academy Awards for Best Actor (Phoenix) and Best Original Score out of 11 nominations including Best Picture, becoming the first DC film to do so. A sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, was released on October 4, 2024.
As tensions mount around the metro area, Mayor Stokes has pleaded for cooler heads to prevail. City services have been affected, and some businesses have decided to remain closed amid the unrest. Chuck Stevens filed this report. The anger and resentment that's been building in the city for weeks seems close to exploding. Protesters, many dressed as clowns, took to the streets today in one of several planned demonstrations taking on the city's elite, including a massive rally outside tomorrow night's benefit at Wayne Hall. What's the point of all this? - the rich. - Thomas Wayne. That's what this whole thing is about. the whole system. Wayne, who recently announced he is running for mayor, will be attending the benefit. You might remember it was Thomas Wayne who first referred to many of Gotham's residents as "clowns." Today, he offered little in the way of an apology. Well, what I will say is, there's something wrong with those people. I am here to help them. I'm gonna lift them out of poverty, help make their lives better. That is why I'm running. And they may not realize it, but I'm their only hope.
Joker
Can I help you, pal? I don't know what to say. Do you want an autograph or something? No. My name is Arthur. Penny Fleck is my mother. Jesus. You're the guy that came to my house yesterday. Yes. I'm sorry I just showed up. But my mother told me everything, and I had to talk to you. Look, pal, I'm not your father. What's wrong with you?
Joker
Look at us. I think you are. Well, that's impossible because you're adopted, and I never slept with your mother. - I wasn't adopted. - What do you want from me? - Money? - No, I don't... I wasn't adopted. Jesus. She never told you? Told me what? Your mother adopted you while she was working for us. That's not true. Why are you saying that? Then she was arrested and committed to Arkham State Hospital, when you were just a little boy. Why are you saying this? I don't need you to tell me lies. I know it seems strange. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable. I don't know why everyone is so rude. I don't know why you are. I don't want anything from you. Maybe a little bit of warmth, maybe a hug, Dad! How about just a little bit of fucking decency? What is it with you people? You say that stuff about my mother. She's crazy. She's... You think this is funny? Dad, it's me. Come on. Touch my son again, I'll fucking kill you.
Joker
Hello, Mr. Fleck. This is Detective Garrity. We met the other night at Gotham General. My partner and I had a few more questions for you. We stopped by your apartment today, but you weren't home. Please give me a call when you get this message. Again, Detective Garrity, and my number is 212... 99.
Joker
This message is for Arthur Fleck. My name is Shirley Woods. I work on The Murray Franklin Show. I don't know if you're aware, but Murray played a clip of your stand-up on the show recently, and we have gotten an amazing response from our viewers. Murray asked me to give you a call and see if you're...
Joker
Who is this? Oh, hi, this is Shirley Woods. I'm the show booker from Live with Murray Franklin. Is this Arthur? Yes. Hi, Arthur. Well, as I was saying, we've gotten a lot of calls about your clip. Amazing responses. And Murray asked if I would reach out to you to see if you would come on as his guest.
Joker
Hey. Man, I'm sorry about that, my man. All records 10 years or older, they store in the basement, and you're talking about something 30 years ago, so... Can I ask you a question? Sure. How does someone wind up in here? Have they all, all the people committed crimes? Well, yeah, some have. You know, some are just crazy. Pose dangers to themselves and others. Some just got nowhere else to go. Don't know what to do, you know? - Yeah. I hear you, brother. - Hmm. Sometimes, I don't know what to do. Last time, I ended up taking it out on some people. I thought it was gonna bother me, but it really hasn't. What's that? I fucked up and did some bad shit.
Joker
You know what I'm talking about, it's so hard to just try and be happy all the time. Hey, listen, man. I'm just an administrative assistant. Like a clerk, you know. All I do is file paperwork. I don't know what to tell you. But you should see somebody. You know, they got programs, city services, stuff like that. Oh, yeah. They cut all those. All right, here it is. Fleck. Penny Fleck. Let's see. Diagnosed by Dr. Benjamin Stoner. Oh. "The patient suffers from delusional psychosis and narcissistic personality disorder." Mmm. "Was found guilty of endangering the welfare of her own child." What? You said she's your mother. Uh... I'm sorry, man. Like I said, I can't release these records, you know, without proper forms. I could get in trouble. Look, if you want to bring your mom in here to sign, that'll be much easier, but I can't let this go without her signature, okay? I'm sorry.
Joker
We went over this, Penny. You adopted him. We have all the paperwork right here. That's not true. Thomas had that all made up, so it stayed our secret. You also stood by while one of your boyfriends repeatedly abused your adopted son and battered you. Penny, your son was found tied to a radiator in your filthy apartment. Malnourished with multiple bruises across his body and severe trauma to his head. I never heard him cry. He's always been such a happy little boy.
Joker