Joker (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 2m (122 min)
- Director
- Todd Phillips
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Warner Bros.
- Budget
- $55M
- Based on
- The Joker: 80 Years of the Clown Prince of Crime The Deluxe Edition by Bill Finger and Bob Kane
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
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Director Todd Phillips
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Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck -
Frances Conroy as Penny Fleck -
Robert De Niro as Murray Franklin -
Glenn Fleshler as Randall
Also Starring in Joker
· 15 more- Zazie Beetz Sophie Dumond
- Brett Cullen Thomas Wayne
- Dante Pereira-Olson Bruce Wayne
- Alec Baldwin
- Shea Whigham Detective Burke
- Marc Maron Gene Ufland
- Douglas Hodge Alfred Pennyworth
- Bill Camp Detective Garrity
- Josh Pais Hoyt Vaughn
- Brian Tyree Henry
- Leigh Gill Gary
- Bryan Callen
- Isabella Ferreira
- Mary Kate Malat
- Jolie Chan
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).
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.
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IMDb 8.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 68% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 89%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 59 Metascore
User score 8.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 81% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.8 /5
28K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.5 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$1.1B
20× its budget
- US & Canada
- $335.5M
- International
- $743.5M
- Budget
- $55M
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
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Saturn Awards 2021 1 win · 5 nominations- Won Best Comic to Motion Picture Release
- Nominated Best Actor in a Film – Joaquin Phoenix
- Nominated Best Film Production Design
- Nominated Best Film Writing
- Nominated Best Supporting Actress in a Film – Zazie Beetz
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BAFTA 2020 3 wins · 11 nominations- Won Best Actor in a Leading Role – Joaquin Phoenix
- Won Best Casting
- Won Best Original Music
- Nominated Best Adapted Screenplay – Todd Phillips
- Nominated Best Cinematography – Lawrence Sher
-
Oscars 2020 2 wins · 11 nominations- Won Actor in a Leading Role – Joaquin Phoenix
- Won Music (Original Score)
- Nominated Best Picture
- Nominated Cinematography – Lawrence Sher
- Nominated Costume Design
-
Critics' Choice 2020 2 wins · 7 nominations- Won Best Actor – Joaquin Phoenix
- Won Best Score
- Nominated Best Adapted Screenplay – Todd Phillips
- Nominated Best Cinematography – Lawrence Sher
- Nominated Best Hair and Makeup
Show all 7 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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Golden Globes 2020 2 wins · 4 nominations- Won Best Original Score
- Won Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actor) – Joaquin Phoenix
- Nominated Best Director – Todd Phillips
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Drama
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Actor Awards (SAG) 2020 1 win · 2 nominations- Won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role – Joaquin Phoenix
- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
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Artios Awards 2020 1 nomination- Nominated Big Budget – Drama
Joker Trailers & Videos
31 videos: 3 trailers, 6 teasers, 9 clips, 11 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Trailer Final Trailer
- Trailer "You Wouldn't Get It"
- Teaser : 30s TV Spot #1
- Teaser : 30s TV Spot #2
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year is the movie 'Joker' set?
Cars in Joker
39 cars on screen, including the 1987 Chevrolet Caprice and the 1975 Dodge Coronet.
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1987 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role -
1975 Dodge Coronet Minor role -
1979 Ford Econoline Minor role -
1992 Ford Econoline Minor role
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 Show fewer
- JOKER 小丑
- Џокер
- Joker: Gã Hề
- Džokers
- Džokeris
- Jokker
- جوکر
- Әзілкеш
Seen Joker?
Movies Like Joker
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Dark Knight, The People's Joker and Jokers Wild.
Articles About Joker
8 articles about Joker. The latest: “The Role of Casting in Shaping Film Narratives”.
-
Cinema -
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Explore the transformative power of color grading in film aesthetics and how it shapes mood, genre, and storytelling in cinema. 11 min read -
HistoryThe Evolution of Film Censorship Through the Decades
Delve into the compelling evolution of film censorship from the early 20th century to the digital age, examining its impact on cinema and society on What's After the Movie blog. 13 min read
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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