Early reviews call Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker a “masterpiece”

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

THE HANGOVER co-writer/director Todd Phillips' upcoming JOKER origin movie starring Joaquin Phoenix just unleashed a killer new trailer last week (see above if you missed it) and is all set to have the last laugh once it hits theaters next month. In fact, not only has the film been called a "masterpiece" by many who have seen it but the movie received an eight-minute standing ovation at it's recent Venice premiere!

On top of that, the film currently holds an 88% fresh rating over on Rotten Tomatoes with a Critics Consensus that reads:

Joker gives its infamous central character a chillingly plausible origin story that serves as a brilliant showcase for its star — and a dark evolution for comics-inspired cinema.

The film was just slapped with an R rating via the MPAA for "strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language, and brief sexual images." Sounds good to me! How excited are YOU for the new take on The Joker? Let us know below!

Written by Phillips and Scott Silver, JOKER is said to be more along the lines of a crime thriller than the average comic book movie, and a "dark character study" in the vein of TAXI DRIVER and THE KING OF COMEDY. It draws some inspiration from the Alan Moore comic book The Killing Joke.

Here's the official synopsis:

Failed comedian Arthur Fleck encounters violent thugs while wandering the streets of Gotham City dressed as a clown. Disregarded by society, Fleck begins a slow dissent into madness as he transforms into the criminal mastermind known as the Joker.

Phoenix's co-stars in the film include Robert De Niro as a talk show host; Frances Conroy as Penny, the mother of Arthur Fleck, the man who becomes the Joker; Marc Maron as an agent; Brett Cullen as wealthy mayoral candidate Thomas Wayne, father of future Batman Bruce Wayne; and Zazie Beetz as a single mother who catches Arthur's attention. JOKER is set to bring a new classic (no pressure) to your local movie theater on October 4, 2019.