Phoenix is as gripping as his laugh is utterly tragic

Rating: 10/10 (6 October 2019)

A dark, sad tale, uncomfortably close to the deepest problems of modern society and implications of unsupported severe mental health issues. Apart from the obvious comparisons to Taxi Driver, avoids all the usual formulae and cliches and will be absolutely unpalatable to anyone who mistakenly wanders in to a theatre expecting more disney-fied MCU/DCEU-shtick, or even some respite delivered through gratifying action & violence. It might still be an origin story in the strictest sense but its as far from a comic book/graphic novel as you could imagine possible. Phoenix' performance is what you should be going for which is a masterpiece in acting. They said no one would ever come close to Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker. But they aren't laughing now.