Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bleak origin story has mature themes, violence, language.
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Joker
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 134 parent reviews
Based on 294 kid reviews
Kids say that the film is a gripping and intense portrayal of a villain's origin story, with stellar performances, especially from its lead actor. While it effectively addresses themes of mental illness and societal issues, the excessive violence and darker themes make it unsuitable for younger audiences, leaving many reviewers to recommend it for older teens and adults only.
- violence heavy
- mental health themes
- dark atmosphere
- powerful performances
- not for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In JOKER, Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) lives with his ailing mother (Frances Conroy) and works as a party clown in early 1980s Gotham City. He struggles with a mental illness that causes him to burst into sinister laughter at strange times. After he's attacked on the job and a co-worker gives him a gun, Arthur is fired. Later, he shoots and kills three wealthy jerks on a subway train and gets away. Then the city's social services programs are slashed, cutting off Arthur's weekly meetings and his supply of meds. He invites his neighbor, single mom Sophie (Zazie Beetz), to see his nightclub comedy act. The act is videotaped, and TV comedy show host Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro) airs it, to unexpected response. Arthur is invited to be on Murray's show, but perhaps he's been pushed too far?
Is It Any Good?
Led by Phoenix's ferocious, feral performance, this especially dark, gritty comic book movie is a character drama that's drawn more toward real-world troubles than to capes and crusading. With Joker, director Todd Phillips sets aside his penchant for juvenile comedies like The Hangover and channels early Martin Scorsese, especially Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. The film rages at the human condition and the darkness that might break a person and turn that person into a monster. Specifically, Phillips points fingers at the wealthy and powerful, who claim to want to help but make it impossible for the downtrodden to pick themselves up.
Phoenix embodies the utter despair of this situation, digging deep with a full-bodied performance, forever struggling to find hope but failing. Skeletal and dark-spirited, he moves his limbs like a balletic spider, either twining as if spinning a web or flailing and flapping like a manic cartoon character. But Batman's famous nemesis isn't just villainous any longer; he's a heartbreaking tragedy that could have been prevented. It's no coincidence that Joker is set during a garbage strike, given that humans here are thrown to the curb just as easily as black plastic bags. In this very bleak movie, the bright colors of the Joker's clown makeup offer a violent, horrifying escape.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Joker's violence. Is violence celebrated in this film? What affect does that have on viewers? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Joker takes a character who's usually portrayed as a villain and makes him the main character. How does that affect your feelings toward him? Is he presented as heroic in any way? Admirable? Is there a danger in making a "bad guy" sympathetic? Or is there something to be said for seeing gray areas, even in comic book characters?
How does the movie address/depict mental illness? Does it feel accurate? Fair? Why could it be problematic to connect mental illness with the Joker's criminal behavior, as well as the abusive behavior of his mother?
What does the movie have to say about the rich and powerful and their attitude toward people who haven't "made something of themselves"?
How are the people who bully Arthur dealt with here? How does bullying affect him? What does the film say about how bullying is accepted within society? What are some other ways of dealing with harassment?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 4, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : January 7, 2020
- Cast : Joaquin Phoenix , Robert De Niro , Zazie Beetz
- Director : Todd Phillips
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Superheroes
- Run time : 122 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language and brief sexual images
- Awards : BAFTA - BAFTA Winner , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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