Over 10 thousand Imdb reviews with popular ratings about a bleak and depressing story of mental illness. Deservedly high praise, but beware this story is as dark as it gets..

Rating: 8/10 (5 January 2020)

Stories about mental illness never sell well at the movies box office, therefore it is an achievement in itself that this bleak and depressing story has gotten so popular. I guess partly because of a huge hype (bomb scares etc) and partly because of a genuine terrific performance by Joaquin Phoenix.
BUT beware all you folks who might expect to see another fun Batman-like movie, this story is genuinely depressing from start to finish. Depressing in an impressive, good artistic way though, but nevertheless really dark and bleak. I cant imagine anyone feeling cheery after having watched it.
The story in a nutshell. Joaquin Phoenix is battling severe mental illness issues. Trampled, ridiculed and without any hope of a future he spirals out of control, yelling that a society gets what it deserves, when it mistreats the weak and the poor. And so it goes...
Any bad? I dont know, I think I wanna see it a second time. I think Robert de Niro's part wasnt as good as I hoped for. I think the stories dynamic wasnt as gripping as I hoped for.
The good: the incredible disturbing acting performance by Joaquin Phoenix. I'll think he'll get an Oscar for his performance. He deserves it!