Joaquin Phoenix mesmerizing Oscar worthy acting in a dark and not surprisingly controversial deeply layered character horror drama

Rating: 9/10 (8 October 2019)

Joaquin Phoenix inhabits a troubled man who is pushed from the outside at no fault of his own into a psychosis emerging from the inside. His performance ranks as a masterpiece. I don't how one could pull this off and not go crazy himself. THIS is an ADULT movie which many viewers will find too grisly and disturbing. That's fine. I have a distaste for horror and mass killing films with rare exceptions like the The Sixth Sense. I almost walked out of The Kingsman. For Joker think the outrageously funny Deadpool without humor. Joker is a popcorn movie where no one eats the popcorn and which leaves no obvious moment for a quick bathroom break (I held on til the credits). Every scene progresses Arthur from a beaten down distressed person towards the ultimate evil Batman Villain. The infrequent however shocking violence has garnered msm controversy. I see the political side more so: how a disturbed yet alluring person in a severely distressed unjust society can rise as a symbol of violent hatred and heroism against that very system. History presents many examples, Mussolini comes to mind. My tagline would be 'Sociopaths are no joke.' Creepy stuff incredibly portrayed. Know what you're getting into and don't take kids. I would support an exclusive 18A rating, And Phoenix damn well better win the Oscar....