People should watch Joker not as a comic book movie, not as a super hero movie but as a movie. It is a gritty period piece set in the early 1980’s. It has the look and feel of the time. It alludes to things that really happened (the garbage strike, a highly publicized subway shooting...)that can help put you into a specific time/mindset. It is well documented that the film is in the style of films like Taxi Driver & The King of Comedy. If you like that “style “ of cinema you will not be disappointed. Joker is successful in depicting a more realistic downward spiral of mental illness when there is no support system.Watch it with no bias and you will enjoy it.