Joker delivers a slow-brewed origin story that is raw and really dark. We get to see a marginalized Arthur Fleck break mentally as the last threads of any semblance of a “normal” life are taken away from him, piece by piece. When he (rightfully, arguably) makes his first kills in self-defense, we can see soon after a change in his posture, demeanor and confidence. And when those murders trigger riots in Gotham, he knows he found his calling.
This movie is not for CGI loving CBM fans who want bigger stunts, more explosions and mindless mayhem. It’s unique, fairly slow-paced, emotionally disturbing and dark. You can count the laughs on one hand.
I hope they make one more, just to allow us to see “The Joker” as a character developed a bit further as Joaquin seems capable of exploring the madness.