The Joker played by Joaquin Phoenix is the protagonist of the 2019 film "Joker", directed by Todd Phillips. This interpretation stands out for its deep immersion into the character's psyche and realistic, dark approach. In the film, the Joker, whose real name is Arthur Fleck, is presented as a failed comedian and a social outcast, afflicted by a neurological condition that causes uncontrollable laughter at inappropriate times.
Set in a dark and decadent version of Gotham City in the 1980s, the film follows Arthur's slow transformation into the Joker, a process driven by his growing alienation and the failure of the social and healthcare institutions that were supposed to support him. This Joker is much more of a tragic character than a criminal genius; his descent into madness is depicted as a desperate response to a world that ignores and mistreats him.
Phoenix's performance was widely praised for its intensity and emotional depth, earning him the Academy Award for Best Actor. The film explores themes such as mental health, social inequality and the destructive power of alienation, making this version of the Joker a complex and disturbing figure who reflects some of the darkest issues in modern society.
