The Greatest Anti-Superhero Movie Ever Made Is Finally On Netflix
Although Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom may be shark chum at the global box office, Netflix is stepping in to save the day for subscribers as it’s now offering 2019’s Joker. Starring Joaquin Phoenix as the titular villainous clown terrorizing the streets of Gotham, the film is a favorite among fans of the comic-turned-film studio. Taking a departure from the typical superhero fare the brand is known for, Joker casts a much darker yet interesting shadow on the character.
Joker Takes The Spotlight
While films that have come before it like Tim Burton’s Batman and Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, have always given Joker the grimy twist that he deserves, Todd Phillips took things to the next level with his 2019 take. Both Burton and Nolan’s productions featured the Joker as a supporting character – albeit the main villain – duking it out with Batman and causing a chaotic ruckus along the way. But, in Phillips’s film, Joker was the main character, shining a full light on his origin story.
Arthur Fleck’s Downward Spiral
In Joker, viewers are not introduced to Batman’s archnemesis but instead meet an aspiring comedian named Arthur Fleck. A lone wolf, Arthur is a bit of a social outcast who doesn’t know how to connect with other people and also suffers from hallucinations that drive him further and further away from reality. With a desire to leave his stamp on the city of Gotham, Arthur slowly gives into his alter persona – the Joker – and wreaks havoc on the city, gaining followers along the way.
Joker And Batman’s Connection
There’s also an intriguing plot set up in Joker that we haven’t seen in other films centered around Batman and his archnemesis. At one point in the film, it’s revealed that Arthur’s mother (Conroy) believes that Thomas Wayne (Brett Cullen) is Arthur’s illegitimate father – a claim the businessman vehemently denies.
While it’s unclear where the film’s sequel will take this storyline, we do see Arthur at the gates of the Wayne mansion where he interacts with a young Bruce Wayne – his first interaction with the child who will eventually grow into Batman.
The Joker Sequel Is On The Way
Joker was largely a box office hit, earning over $1 billion at the worldwide box office against its $55-70 million production budget. Along with Joaquin Phoenix, the film also featured performances from Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, and Frances Conroy, no doubt further drawing audiences to the cinema.
Now, five years later, fans are getting ready for the second chapter in Todd Phillips’s telling of the origin of Joker in Joker: Folie a Deux. Joining Joaquin Phoenix will be Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn.
From what we’ve seen so far, the sequel looks just as dark as the feature that started it all, with Zazie Beetz reprising her role along with the likes of Brendan Gleeson joining the cast. We also know that the character Harvey Dent will be making an appearance.
Joker Is Now On Netflix
Joker: Folie a Deux arrives in theaters on October 4, 2024, and comes during a time of change for DC as it will exist separate from James Gunn and Peter Safran’s future projects. Still, there’s no doubt that the film will be a much-needed box-office winner for the franchise that’s seen such terrible numbers in 2023. Joker is just one of many titles making the jump from Max to Netflix this year with Warner Bros. sending a slew of their content to the rival streamer for some extra cash.
