Joker (2019) is a psychological thriller and crime drama directed by Todd Phillips. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, a troubled party clown and aspiring stand-up comedian whose life takes a dark turn as he becomes the criminal figure known as the Joker.
Movie Details
| Movie Title | Joker |
|---|---|
| Original Title | Joker |
| Release Date | October 4, 2019 |
| Release Year | 2019 |
| Runtime | 122 minutes |
| Certificate / Age Rating | R |
| Status | Released |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller, Psychological Thriller |
| Director | Todd Phillips |
| Writers | Todd Phillips, Scott Silver |
| Producers | Todd Phillips, Bradley Cooper, Emma Tillinger Koskoff |
| Production Company | Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Films, Village Roadshow Pictures, Bron Creative, Joint Effort |
| Distributor | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Budget | $55–70 million |
| Box Office | $1.079 billion worldwide |
Trailer
Cast
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Joaquin Phoenix | Arthur Fleck / Joker |
| Robert De Niro | Murray Franklin |
| Zazie Beetz | Sophie Dumond |
| Frances Conroy | Penny Fleck |
| Brett Cullen | Thomas Wayne |
| Glenn Fleshler | Randall |
| Leigh Gill | Gary |
| Bill Camp | Detective Garrity |
| Shea Whigham | Detective Burke |
| Marc Maron | Gene Ufland |
| Douglas Hodge | Alfred Pennyworth |
| Dante Pereira-Olson | Bruce Wayne |
| Josh Pais | Hoyt Vaughn |
| Sharon Washington | Social Worker |
| Hannah Gross | Young Penny |
| Carrie Louise Putrello | Martha Wayne |
| April Grace | Arkham Therapist |
| Brian Tyree Henry | Carl |
| Frank Wood | Dr. Benjamin Stoner |
| Gary Gulman | Comedian |
| Sam Morril | Comedian |
| Rocco Luna | GiGi Dumond |
| Justin Theroux | Ethan Chase |
| Christopher M. Davis | Inner-City Clown |
| Kim Director | Gigi’s Mother |
Story / Plot
Joker follows Arthur Fleck, a struggling party clown and aspiring stand-up comedian living with his mother, Penny, in Gotham City during the early 1980s. Arthur dreams of becoming a successful comedian but struggles with poverty, isolation, bullying and rejection.
Arthur works as a clown-for-hire while attempting to develop a career as a comedian. His life becomes increasingly unstable after he loses his job and discovers disturbing information about his childhood and his mother’s past.
After Arthur kills three wealthy Wayne employees on a subway, the killings become a symbol of growing anger against Gotham’s wealthy elite. Arthur’s actions unintentionally inspire a wider movement in the city, with protesters adopting clown masks.
Arthur’s obsession with television host Murray Franklin eventually gives him an opportunity to appear on Murray’s show. As his personal life collapses and his Joker identity becomes stronger, Arthur decides to confront Murray and the society he believes has repeatedly rejected him.
Ending Explained
Arthur appears on Live with Murray Franklin wearing his Joker makeup. During the interview, he admits that he was responsible for the subway murders. When Murray criticizes him and jokes about his actions, Arthur shoots Murray on live television.
Arthur is subsequently arrested as Gotham descends into widespread violence and riots. A group of masked protesters causes the police vehicle transporting him to crash, allowing Arthur to escape.
The protesters place Arthur on top of the wrecked vehicle, where he dances while the crowd celebrates him. This moment represents Arthur’s complete transformation into the Joker and his acceptance by the people participating in Gotham’s growing uprising.
The film then cuts to Arthur inside Arkham State Hospital. He laughs while speaking with a therapist and later walks through the hospital corridor, leaving a trail of blood behind him.
The ending deliberately leaves some events open to interpretation. Because the story is presented largely through Arthur’s perspective, the film does not explicitly confirm whether every event shown happened exactly as Arthur experienced it.
Post-Credits Scene
Joker does not have a mid-credits or post-credits scene.
Where to Watch
Availability varies by country and can change over time. The following are official legal platforms that may offer Joker through streaming, rental or purchase in selected territories. Check the platform directly for current availability in your country.
- Max
- Amazon Prime Video
- Apple TV
- Google TV
- YouTube Movies
- Fandango at Home
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Rakuten TV
- Sky Store
- JustWatch
Franchise / Connections
| Franchise | Joker |
|---|---|
| Prequel | None |
| Sequel | Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Joker (2019) about?
Joker follows Arthur Fleck, a struggling comedian and party clown in Gotham City whose increasingly difficult life leads to his transformation into the Joker.
Who directed Joker?
Todd Phillips directed Joker and co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Silver.
Who plays Joker in Joker (2019)?
Joaquin Phoenix plays Arthur Fleck, who becomes the Joker.
Who plays Murray Franklin in Joker?
Robert De Niro plays television host Murray Franklin.
Who plays Sophie in Joker?
Zazie Beetz plays Sophie Dumond.
Is Joker a superhero movie?
Joker is based on DC Comics characters, but the 2019 film is primarily a psychological thriller, crime drama and character study rather than a conventional superhero movie.
Is Joker connected to the main DC Universe?
No. The 2019 Joker was designed as a standalone story separate from the main continuity of the DC films.
Does Joker have a post-credits scene?
No. Joker does not have a mid-credits or post-credits scene.
Does Arthur Fleck become the Joker?
Yes. The events of the film show Arthur Fleck adopting the Joker identity as he embraces violence and becomes a symbol of Gotham’s unrest.
Does Bruce Wayne appear in Joker?
Yes. A young Bruce Wayne appears in the film, played by Dante Pereira-Olson.
Is Thomas Wayne in Joker?
Yes. Brett Cullen plays Thomas Wayne, Bruce Wayne’s father.
What happens to Murray Franklin?
Arthur shoots Murray Franklin during a live television broadcast after Murray confronts him about his actions.
Where does Joker take place?
The film takes place primarily in Gotham City during the early 1980s.
When was Joker released?
Joker was released theatrically in the United States on October 4, 2019, after premiering at the Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2019.
How long is Joker?
The runtime of Joker is approximately 122 minutes.
What is the rating of Joker?
The film is rated R in the United States.
Who wrote Joker?
The screenplay was written by Todd Phillips and Scott Silver, based on characters from DC Comics.
How much did Joker make at the box office?
Joker grossed approximately $1.079 billion worldwide.
What is the ending of Joker?
The film ends with Arthur inside Arkham State Hospital after Gotham has descended into chaos. The final sequence deliberately leaves aspects of Arthur’s experience open to interpretation.
Leave a Reply