Joker reviews: What are critics and fans saying about Joker?

Joaquin Phoenix has portrayed a down-on-his-luck comedian who turns to a criminal lifestyle. After the film premiered, some critics suggested this could be the moment Phoenix finally wins an Oscar. Now the film is out in cinemas, fans’ views have started to roll in.

What are critics saying about Joker?

Empire’s Terri White described the film as “bold, devastating and utterly beautiful,” while The Guardian’s Xan Brooks gave it five stars.

Time Out’s Phil De Semlyen said it was “the best social horror film since Get Out,” and The Telegraph’s Robbie Collin gave it four stars.

As well as UK writers, critics across the pond are fans of the film as well.

For example, in Canada, Toronto Star’s Peter Howell said: “The supervillain origin story to beat all origin stories.”

Seattle Times’ Moira MacDonald said: “Joker is an exploration of what causes a lonely, unhinged man to explode, and it has moments that are riveting.”

And Richard Roeper of Chicago Sun Times said: “With Phoenix appearing in virtually every minute of this movie and dominating the screen with his memorably creepy turn, Joker will cling to you like the aftermath of an unfortunately realistic nightmare.”

It currently has a 70% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is just from critics, meaning it is certified “fresh”.

Sadly it didn’t impress everyone, with Little White Lies critic David Jenkins calling it “feeble posturing, asinine pop psychology and political analysis charged with all the cynicism of a mollycoddled teen dropout…”

And Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw called it “the most disappointing film of the year,” so Phoenix’s performance didn’t wow everyone.

What are fans saying about Joker?

Fans are, overall, enamoured with the new DC movie, and it currently has a 90% positive audience score out of 19,232 verified ratings, which is a brilliant feat in its first weekend.

One ‘super reviewer,’ Eugene B, said of Joker: “The cinematography is bold and the performance from Joaquin Phoenix is truly captivating in Joker. 

“While it starts sluggishly, the film’s ultimate pay-off in delivering the “Clown Prince of Crime” into full-form makes for an unsettling, yet unique character study of one of DC-Comics’ iconic villains: Joker.”

Nate Z adds: “Phoenix’s performance elevates the entire enterprise and will unnerve as much as it ensnares.”

One twitter user adds: “Intelligently disturbing, brilliant storytelling, stunning cinematography.. every aspect of the film was excellent. 

“Joker is the perfect film that explores the darkness that comes with mental illness and its destructive nature.”

Some critics and fans are expecting this to be the moment Joaquin Phoenix finally picks up an Oscar for his performance.

Has Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar before?

Surprisingly, Joaquin Phoenix is one of those actors who has not won an Oscar, despite various attempts to get him there.

He was first nominated for Gladiator in 2001, as Best Supporting Actor, then for Best Actor in 2006 and 2013 for his roles in Walk the Line and The Master.

And to rub it in further for Joaquin, his co-stars Reese Witherspoon and Russell Crowe both won Oscars for their performances in Walk the Line and Gladiator, so he has been forced to congratulate his mates while losing out himself.

Perhaps 2020 is Joaquin’s year, but fans will have to wait quite a while to find out.

Joker is in cinemas now