An original and unique vision of the Joker... That's what American director Todd Phillips has in mind for his feature-length film about Batman 's wacky antagonist, broadcast on TF1 this Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 9:10pm. Simply entitled Joker, the film looks back at the past of the super-villain with the diabolical laugh, played here by Joaquin Phoenix(Her, The Brothers Sisters).
Signed by Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Comics, featuring Zazie Beetz(Deadpool 2), Robert de Niro(Dirty Papy, The Irishman) and Frances Conroy(American Horror Story, Castle Rock). And a film that should not be part of the DC Universe, as Warner Bros. Pictures is keen to offer a variety of new visions to help boost flagging audiences for DC films.
In 1980s Gotham City, Arthur Fleck is a failed stand-up comedian. He takes on a series of odd jobs as a clown, trying to live up to his mother's sacred duty to "bring laughter and joy to the world"... A priesthood he eventually abandons to turn to crime and become the Joker. An astonishing origin story about Batman's main antagonist.
The film claims influences from Martin Scorsese's cinema, such as Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. Joaquin Phoenix lost around 25 kilos for the role and worked on a laugh inspired by real cases of pathological laughter. According to Zazie Beetz, the script evolved during filming thanks to a daily writing process. Presented at the Venice Film Festival, the film won the Golden Lion. Its release sparked debate about the portrayal of violence, to which Warner Bros. responded by emphasizing the strictly fictional nature of the story.
The film takes on the tone of a psychological drama centered on the trajectory of an individual in social breakdown. The themes address isolation, mental health, and urban tension. The film targets an adult audience familiar with dark stories and reinterpretations of iconic characters.
Our opinion on Joker (2019):
Todd Phillips has created a powerful film, featuring a brilliant performance by Joaquin Phoenix, who is completely inhabited by his character, who is as disturbed as he is disturbing... Joker is a real cinematic shock, drawing on various influences, particularly the films of Martin Scorsese, whose codes it borrows and openly references.
A truly captivating film, it sucks viewers into a whirlwind of an immersive and unsettling journey into the heart of madness, punctuated here and there with some fairly violent moments. A descent into hell against a backdrop of social satire that is sure to leave an impression. A must-see!
Joker
Film | 2019
On Netflix December 12, 2025
Drama | Running time: 2 hours 2 minutes
By Todd Phillips | Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz
Nationality: United States
This Netflix release offers an independent and dark take on the origins of the Joker, focusing on a psychological portrait set in a Gotham in crisis.
To go further, check out our selection of new Netflix releases for December, our guide to streaming releases across all platforms, and today's selection of What to watch today on streaming.
