Impressive performances, dark tone, and eerie feel of the character.

Rating: 8/10 (5 October 2019)

Joker (4 out of 5 stars).
Joker is a psychological thriller film that Writer/Director Todd Phillips brings his own direction of the origin story of Batman's ultimate villain character. Joker is not the typical antihero superhero movie that most people would try to expect from. It is more of a character study of a character Arthur Fleck going insane and becoming a mad man when he realizes society has fallen in his eyes. Joker is a gritty, dark, and a surprisingly thrilling film. Definitely, one of those movies you will like it or hate it. This one does leave that haunting, spine chilling taste once it is over.
The plot follows Arthur (Joaquin Phoenix) who sees human services for help regularly. He tries to take care of his mother Penny (Frances Conroy). He is attracted to his neighbor Sophie (Zazie Beetz). And he works being a clown and holding signs up. When human services are cut for budgeting. And his mother needs help medically. He sees that the people living in the low class area are struggling and forgettable towards the eyes of the rich. He slowly loses his mind and becomes the psychopath Joker.
Joaquin Phoenix performance is off the charts impressive. Every single scene with Phoenix is great. He is impressive from the creepily body movements, his physique being underweight, and laughter is creepy. I feel like he is trying for the awards season. I can not compare him to other actors that have portrayed the roles. Heath Ledger will always be the best. Cause this is a different adaptation of Joker. This is more focused on a man who is slowly breaking away.
The music score by Hildur Guonadottir is great. The music score delivers a spine chilling tone. It works with the atmosphere of the movie. The movie does deliver a good haunting origin story of Arthur becoming the mad man. Showing how wearing a clown disguise has an influence on others. And how others protest for the way society is treating them. Almost kind of scary that can be believable with the way things are in the real world with violence.
However, I did find the direction with Joker to be kind of dull. It was great with performances, the origin story of Joker, and the music score. It is not one of those movies that is rewatchable after that one time. Do not expect any big action sequences, heroes fighting against the villain. This standalone movie is a grounded origin story. The movie does have some gritty and violent killings which may put some people at unease. I did love some references with characters which I will not give away cause of spoilers.
Overall, Joker is a good psychological thriller film. Joaquin Phoenix is great with the role. The music score is good. Joker is one of those movies that leaves you with a disturbed taste from the character study. The movie will not be for everyone with its smaller budget and slow direction.