This film is so brilliant that the story would work even if it wasn't about the joker. Joaquine Pheonix in my opinion was phenomenal, surpassing Heath Ledger's portrayal. Imagine the progression of Michael Douglas in falling down, except in a mentally ill man with no place in the world. Don't go see this if you want an action film, this isn't one of those. The terror in this is that there is a Joker on the news everyday, we're just not paying attention.