Warner Bros. film Joker surpassed its box office weekend projections grossing over $96M domestically and $152M internationally.
Joker broke records for highest grossing film to open in October for domestic and international, highest IMAX October opening grossing $9M and as Warner Bros. biggest domestic opening in 2 years. The Todd Phillips directed film was released to 73 international markets, grossing the most in Korea.
The two-hour film received a Rotten Tomato score of 90 percent from audiences and 69 percent from critics. IMDB.com rates the film 9 out of 10 with 160,459 votes. Yet, even with these reviews, media sources are reporting that audiences are horrified by the dark DC Comics film.
Just like any creative piece of art, viewers will pick apart and analyze each detail until there’s nothing left. Sources report that audiences left screenings of Joker because of the unsettling violence within the film. In the social media world, people are outraged that a scene in the film features a clip of Gary Glitter’s “Rock and Roll, Part 2”. Glitter was imprisoned for child pornography and sex with a minor.
But, in the midst of the wave of criticism, people overlook the overall messages in the film. Joker is a cautionary tale about an aspiring comedian Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) that is dealing with mental health issues, while simultaneously experiencing tribulations with employment and domestic life in which he has to take care of his elderly mother.
After a string of negative incidents, the down-trodden clown decides to take things into his own hands and delivers his version of vigilantism. At the height of political turmoil, income inequality, racial tension and human disconnect because of the Internet, Joker is the deflowering of delusional American dreams and the perfect citizens that are supposed to fulfill them. The film explores the lack of kindness between people and the absolute dismissive attitude of society towards its own hurting underbelly.
At minimum, and if not for the entertainment value and cinematography, Joker is worth the watch for the continuous conversation on mental health and morale.
