JOKER - A Case For Empathy

“SCOTT SILVER AND TODD PHILLIPS, YOU TRICKED US.

YOU TOOK A COMICBOOK CHARACTER AND USED IT TO TALK ABOUT CHILDHOOD TRAUMA, GUN VIOLENCE, ISOLATION AND MENTAL HEALTH, AND INSTEAD OF INCITING VIOLENCE, YOU INVITED THE AUDIENCE IN TO SEE WHAT IT FEELS LIKE WHEN YOU’RE ONE OF THE FORGOTTEN, AND I DEEPLY APPRECIATE THAT.”
JOAQUIN PHOENIX
ACCEPTING 2020 CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARD

THE POWER OF EMPATHY

The film’s reinvention of an iconic character as a struggling soul speaks to our time.

TODD PHILLIPS’ RISKY VISION

The filmmaker’s origins as an indie director grounded his visionary approach to “Joker.”

MAVERICK MOVES

Though known for some of the biggest movies in Hollywood, Phillips’ own origin story began in independent film.

MUSIC BEFORE MOTION

A haunting score from Hildur Guðnadóttir inspired the metamorphosis of Joker.

A CHARACTER UNMASKED

Joaquin Phoenix and the film’s craft team combined to shape an unforgettable performance.

CRAFT TEAM BEHIND THE MIRROR

The mesmerizing bathroom scene combined painstaking planning and freeflowing innovation.