No superhero film has been as controversial as the DC drama Joker starring Joaquin Phoenix. Three years after its theatrical release, it screens on free TV for the first time today.
Heated social debates in superhero films are rare. Fans may discuss the suitability of new actors or storylines. Joker, however, was classified as a “dangerous” film even before its release and caused controversy. Today it is being shown for the first time on free TV.
DC controversy today on TV: Does Joker incite violence?
Even The Joker didn’t play with the IRS pic.twitter.com/9gZ0MTe8q7
– Kenan Grace. Build Wealth (@KenanGrace) December 31, 2022
At the film’s 2019 world premiere in Venice, the film elicited mixed reactions. Joaquin Phoenix’s performance as a mentally ill man and future Batman villain was generally well received. However, many invited critics were concerned about the audience impact of the DC drama.
For all its praise, the first reactions to Joker spoke of a “dangerous” and “potentially toxic” film. After all, the story is about a lonely man whose social frustration leads to brutal violence. Many voices feared a template for assassins and members of the so-called Incel movement (“Involuntary Celibate”). Their followers see the lack of sex and romance in their private lives as a responsibility of their society. Various acts of violence are associated with the often strongly misogynistic environment.
In the meantime, Joaquin Phoenix also reacted to the Joker criticism and appealed to the viewers’ ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Nevertheless, some voices called for a boycott or even a ban of the film.
By the time of the film’s release, however, many DC fans had realised that Joker was not a film that glorified violence. Whether everyone likes the portrait of Gotham or the portrayal of mental illness remains to be seen. In any case, the Batman villain rarely caused such waves in the real world.
