Given everything that’s happened in the world of comic book films this year, it may seem odd that the Venice Film Festival of all things played home to the premiere of one. Let alone one that is headlined by a villain and not a hero. Yet, that is exactly what happened earlier this week when Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix, premiered at the event. And now, the reviews are in for the film, and they’re loving it.
As of yet, 22 reviews have come out, and according to Rotten Tomatoes, the cumulative scores have given it an 86% rating. But what might be even more surprising is that many of those reviews actually give the film a perfect score. Including a 10/10 by IGN and multiple 5/5’s from other venues.
Obviously though, this means that some didn’t care for the film as much since it lost 14% of its score, but this is only across 22 reviews, more will come as we get closer to its November debut.
What’s more, Joaquin Phoenix is being praised for his version of Arthur Fleck, aka Joker, and is already getting Academy Awards buzz…as is the film itself.
#Joker gives its infamous central character a chillingly plausible origin story that serves as a brilliant showcase for Joaquin Phoenix – and a dark evolution for comics-inspired cinema.#JokerMovie is #Fresh at 86% on the #Tomatometer, with 22 reviews: https://t.co/V798AlHmGX pic.twitter.com/3aWMb9DGB1
— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) August 31, 2019