DC's Dark Game Changer

Rating: 10/10 (5 October 2019)

This film was everything I wanted it to be and more. DC should stop trying to do what Marvel has and capitalise on this realistic R-rated style and tone for their films. Not many people could pull off a convincing Joker for an entire film, and neither did Phoenix. This film is about Arthur's transformation, he doesn't fully become Joker until the very end of the film.
This is the story of a man's descent into madness done in the most realistic way possible, taking little inspiration from source material and focusing on what makes the character at his core so polarising.
Aside from the incredible acting, the cinematography, score and pacing of the film married perfectly with Phoenix's take. No screen time was wasted, everything that happened had a purpose or a meaning.
The inclusion of the Waynes in the story was a surprise but a welcome one.
Laying the groundwork for the upcoming Matt Reeves Batman film potentially.
I truly do hope we get to see Phoenix do Joker properly in a future film, but for now I hope this is the catalyst to start the DC Dark series with more films in this realistic R-rated style and tone made for adults and not kids.