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Entertainment • Film

Joker (2019 film)

Joker is a 2019 American psychological thriller film directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, an origin-story version of the DC Comics character the Joker.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Joker is a 2019 American psychological thriller film directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, an origin-story version of the DC Comics character the Joker. The film presents a standalone interpretation of the character rather than a direct adaptation of a single comic-book story.

Plot and premise

The film follows Arthur Fleck, a struggling party clown and aspiring stand-up comedian in Gotham City, as his life deteriorates and he becomes the Joker. It is set as a character study with a violent social backdrop rather than a traditional superhero film.

Development and release

Joker was released in 2019 and was directed by Todd Phillips, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Silver. The film was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. In Canada, it was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and widely released in Canadian cinemas as part of its North American theatrical rollout.

Source material and character

The film is based on DC Comics characters, but it is not adapted from one specific comic storyline. It presents an original interpretation of the Joker as Arthur Fleck.

Reception and legacy

Joaquin Phoenix received the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance. The film became a major cultural and box-office success and led to a sequel released in 2024.

Key facts

  • The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, who becomes the Joker.
  • Todd Phillips directed the film.
  • It is based on DC Comics characters and is an original standalone story.
  • The movie is an alternative origin story for the Joker character.
  • A sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, was released in 2024.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed in Canada by Warner Bros. Pictures and was widely released in Canadian cinemas as part of its North American theatrical rollout.[4][10]

Frequently asked questions

Who played the Joker in the 2019 movie?
Joaquin Phoenix played the Joker in the 2019 film.
Is Joker based on a comic?
Yes. It is based on DC Comics characters, but it is an original standalone story rather than an adaptation of one specific comic.
What is the Joker's real name?
In the film, the Joker’s real name is Arthur Fleck.
How many Joker movies are there?
There are two Joker films in this continuity: Joker (2019) and Joker: Folie à Deux (2024).
Who directed Joker?
Todd Phillips directed Joker.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joker_(2019_film)
    Supports: Director, cast, premise, and DC Comics basis
  2. DC — https://www.dc.com/movies/joker-2019
    Supports: Standalone story, director, cast, and DC Comics character basis
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7286456/
    Supports: Director and principal credits
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/joker_2019
    Supports: Director, release, genre, and basic film details
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joaquin_Phoenix
    Supports: Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck/Joker and sequel mention
  6. Simple English Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joker_(2019_movie)
    Supports: Director and cast identification