A radical departure from the blockbuster bravado of recent Marvel and DC offerings, Joker is a psychological thriller which bestows a grimly realistic origin story on one of cinema’s most iconic villains. It’s an electrifying film, elevated by a committed, Oscar-winning performance from Joaquin Phoenix, and, if you’re interested in the genesis of Batman’s arch nemesis, you can watch Joker online from anywhere today.
Released: October 04, 2019
Director: Todd Phillips
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Marc Maron, Douglas Hodge.
Run time: 2 hr 2 mins
Rating: R
Director Todd Phillips took inspiration from Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy, two films about unhinged individuals on the edge of society. Set in 1981, Phoenix is Arthur Fleck, a clown-for-hire by day and a hopeful stand-up comedian by night, who lives with his ailing mother Penny (Frances Conroy) in Gotham City. Urban discontent is brewing and unemployment and crime are at an all-time high. Consequently, it’s a brutal mugging that initiates Fleck’s chaotic trajectory into madness and his eventual emergence as the Joker.
Unlike the Avengers franchise, Joker alludes to a recognisable social and political reality: one where crippling austerity exists uneasily beside a super-rich elite. But, despite its brooding tone, it has some laugh out loud moments of black comedy too – not surprising from the director of The Hangover trilogy. Zazie Beetz provides some much-needed humanity as Flack’s neighbor Sophie, and Robert De Niro is perfect as the callous talk-show host Murray Franklin. But it’s Phoenix’s metamorphosis from meek outcast to demented criminal that’s truly audacious: culminating in his brazen, unforgettable procession down the steep Bronx steps in full make-up and a crimson two-piece suit.
Joker not only sets a darker course for superhero-themed movies, but achieved both critical acclaim and box office success. It was nominated for 11 Academy Awards (of which it won two), and became the first R-rated film to gross over a billion dollars worldwide. You may already know how to watch Marvel movies, but put that on hold and try these clown shoes on for size, as we detail how to watch Joker online from anywhere in the world.
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How to watch Joker from outside your home country
If you’re hoping to watch Joker while out of the country, travelling for work or on a much-deserved vacation, you can still stream this award-winning gem without worrying about geo-blocking restrictions.
Downloading a VPN lets you watch on-demand content like Joker no matter where you’re based. This ingenious bit of software changes your IP address so that you can access region-specific film and TV content from anywhere.
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How to watch Joker online in the US
How to watch Joker online in the UK
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