Sean Bernson

Adam McKay holds a mirror to America, but forgets a movie about the potential end of the world should include, you know, the world. Instead, the film bludgeons you for two stressful, frustrating hours with the most stressful, frustrating aspects of modern politics, power, and life. If you want to watch satire and actually enjoy it, watch “Idiocracy”. If you put this on, however, I just recommend you don’t look up.

Joaquin Phoenix is incredible. Unfortunately, this is not a one-man show, and the whole of the film doesn’t equal the sum of its parts. Instead of witnessing a slow descent into madness, the audience is provided much as a red flashing light incessantly blaring “he is crazy”. Instead of an analysis of nature vs. nurture, the storyline blames everyone and everything for Arthur Fleck’s issues. And instead of doing something original, unique, interesting, or enjoyable, the director has produced a slow-churning, miserable slog through comic and 70’s film tropes.