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Action thriller

Joker (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Joker (2019) movie poster

Joker is a 2019 action thriller directed by Todd Phillips, starring Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, Frances Conroy and Robert De Niro. It brings to the screen characters from The Joker: 80 Years of the Clown Prince of Crime The Deluxe Edition by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. It runs 2 hours 2 minutes and earned $1.08 billion worldwide on a $55 million budget. It won 2 Oscars, including Actor in a Leading Role and Music (Original Score), and 11 awards in all. Critics gave it 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.3/10.

IMDb rating
8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
68%
worldwide gross
$1.1B
Oscars won
2
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Joker (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 2m (122 min)
Director
Todd Phillips
Original language
English
Budget
$55M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Joker About?

The premise of Joker without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In a decaying Gotham City, Arthur Fleck, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, struggles with poverty and isolation while aspiring to be a successful comedian. Working as a party clown to make ends meet, he dreams of bringing laughter to others but finds himself facing constant rejection and despair. A series of tragic events and a pivotal decision trigger a downward spiral, ultimately leading to a shocking transformation and unleashing chaos upon the city.

Joker Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • mental illness
  • stand up comedian
  • nihilism
  • clown
  • comedian
  • loneliness
  • joker character
  • evil clown
  • uncontrollable laughter
  • dysfunctional society
  • laughter
  • dc comics
+38 more
  • watching tv
  • deeply disturbed person
  • social commentary
  • clown makeup
  • green hair
  • sociopath
  • vandalism
  • evil
  • antisocial behavior
  • urban violence
  • origin of villain
  • tv show
  • supervillain
  • protest
  • riot
  • cynicism
  • loner
  • city
  • gun
  • urban chaos
  • chaos
  • out of control
  • loss of control
  • rage
  • grudge
  • bitterness
  • mistreatment
  • breakdown
  • tv news
  • killer clown
  • mother son relationship
  • neo noir
  • 1980s
  • one word title
  • insane asylum
  • revolver
  • police
  • murder investigation
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Cast & crew

Joker Cast & Characters

Joaquin Phoenix leads the cast as Arthur Fleck, with Frances Conroy as Penny Fleck and Robert De Niro as Murray Franklin. Directed by Todd Phillips; 19 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Joker Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Joker 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 82/100, strongest in sensory experience (88) and weakest in story & flow (70).

82 /100

Joker Echo Score Breakdown

Joker emerges as a provocative and visually striking character study that divides opinion on its narrative depth. Critics and audiences largely applaud Joaquin Phoenix’s central performance and the film’s bold visual style, though some find its tone overly self-serious and its supporting character development limited. While the deliberate pacing and thematic ambition stimulate discussion, the story’s structural simplicity draws criticism. Ultimately, the film makes a memorable impact through its intense atmosphere and lead portrayal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s production design and cinematography receive frequent praise for careful framing and evocative locations. Observers note the striking color choices and cohesive visual composition, which reinforce the film’s tense mood. A minority critique points to excessive self-serious direction and a slapdash aesthetic. Overall, the art direction establishes a distinctive and unsettling style.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, Joaquin Phoenix’s performance stands out as the film’s central strength. The portrayal of Arthur’s fractured psyche elicits strong sympathy, and the emotional resonance of his journey anchors the narrative. However, critics note limited depth among supporting characters and occasional unbalanced focus on the lead role. In sum, the emotional intensity is driven by an exceptional lead performance that compensates for uneven character development.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of story and flow, the film presents a provocative and original take on a familiar origin narrative with deliberate pacing. Many reviewers commend its engagement and thematic ambition, noting its capacity to spark discussion on societal alienation. At the same time, some observers criticize a lack of structural subtlety and find the supporting narrative underdeveloped. Overall, the story offers compelling ideas but occasionally sacrifices depth for thematic intensity.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    With respect to sensory experience, the film delivers a potent and unsettling atmosphere through its soundtrack, sound design, and visual style. Critics highlight the hypnotic use of music and the devastating acoustic moments that amplify the narrative’s tension. The visual coherence—marked by an understated color palette and stark imagery—further intensifies the viewer’s immersion. Altogether, the sensory elements create a powerful and disquieting experience that underpins the film’s emotional impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 85

    In regards to rewatch factor, the film’s intense atmosphere and lead performance leave a lasting impression that many viewers find compelling on subsequent viewings. The unsettling tone and thematic depth prompt reflection and discussion, contributing to its replay value. While some may be deterred by the film’s relentless darkness, the memorable imagery and emotional resonance encourage repeated engagement. Overall, the movie’s provocative nature and central performance sustain its enduring appeal.

Plot

Joker Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Joker from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story unfolds in Gotham City during the tumultuous year of 1981. The central character, Arthur Fleck, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, works as a clown-for-hire at a company known as Ha-Ha’s. Despite his job, Arthur grapples with profound depression, which he attempts to alleviate by performing and making others laugh. His daily life takes a tragic turn when he is tasked with promoting a store by dancing and waving a sign, only to have it snatched by a group of punk teens. In his futile attempt to retrieve it, he finds himself violently assaulted in an alleyway.

Full summary

The whole story of Joker, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Joker Box Office & Budget

Joker grossed $1.08 billion worldwide on a $55 million budget, 20 times what it cost. $335.5 million came from the US and Canada and $743.5 million (69%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.1B

20× its budget

US & Canada
$335.5M
International
$743.5M
Budget
$55M
US & Canada 31% Rest of the world 69%
Awards

Joker Awards & Nominations

Joker won 2 Oscars, including Actor in a Leading Role and Music (Original Score), and 11 awards in all. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 2020, with 3 wins from 11 nominations.

11 wins41 nominations7 ceremonies

Show all 7 ceremonies
Videos

Joker Trailers & Videos

31 videos: 3 trailers, 6 teasers, 9 clips, 11 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 31 videos
Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Final Trailer
  • Trailer "You Wouldn't Get It"
  • Teaser : 30s TV Spot #1
  • Teaser : 30s TV Spot #2
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Joker?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In what year is the movie 'Joker' set?

Cars

Cars in Joker

39 cars on screen, including the 1987 Chevrolet Caprice and the 1975 Dodge Coronet.

All 39 cars
  • 1987 Chevrolet Caprice in Joker 1987 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role
  • 1975 Dodge Coronet in Joker 1975 Dodge Coronet Minor role
  • 1979 Ford Econoline in Joker 1979 Ford Econoline Minor role
  • 1992 Ford Econoline in Joker 1992 Ford Econoline Minor role
Details

Joker Also Known As

20 alternative titles, including “ジョーカー” and “JOKER小丑”.

Also known as
  • ジョーカー
  • JOKER小丑
  • 小丑
  • Guasón
  • Джокер
  • जोकर
  • 조커
  • Coringa
  • جوكر
  • โจ๊กเกอร์
  • Жокера
  • ג'וקר, ჯოკერი
+8 more
  • JOKER 小丑
  • Џокер
  • Joker: Gã Hề
  • Džokers
  • Džokeris
  • Jokker
  • جوکر
  • Әзілкеш

Seen Joker?

FAQ

Joker FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Joker, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Joker?

Joker runs 2 hours 2 minutes (122 minutes).

When was Joker released?

Joker was released on October 3, 2019.

Who directed Joker?

Joker was directed by Todd Phillips.

More films by Todd Phillips

Who is in the cast of Joker?

Joker stars Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, Frances Conroy as Penny Fleck and Robert De Niro as Murray Franklin, among 19 credited actors.

How much did Joker make at the box office?

Joker grossed $1.08 billion worldwide ($335.5 million domestic, $743.5 million international) on a budget of $55 million.

How is Joker rated?

Joker has 8.3/10 on IMDb, 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic and 81% on TMDB.

What awards did Joker win?

Joker won 11 awards from 41 nominations, including Best Comic to Motion Picture Release at the Saturn Awards 2021.

Does Joker have a post-credit scene?

No. Joker has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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