‘Joker’ director Todd Phillips wants audiences to be amused, puzzled, and speechless over Arthur Fleck’s transition in the movie. (Photo Credit: Warner Bros)
Joker will premiere in theaters soon and director Todd Phillips recently shared why he wants to leave audiences speechless over Arthur Fleck’s transition into a criminal mastermind.
Phillips recently spoke with ComicBook.com about Joker and how he intends for moviegoers to be in shock over Fleck’s actions throughout the film.
“I find it difficult to talk immediately after, a lot of films, this film in particular for me. I found that as we’ve shown it to people, even when I just bring somebody to the editing room and show it to a friend, a film maker friend, whoever,” Phillips told ComicBook.com in an interview. “And then you go, and it’s over, and then, they need time, a little bit, to sort of process it honestly in a way.”
“Joaquin Phoenix is astonishing.” #JokerMovie – in theaters October 4. pic.twitter.com/ckGSF5UA4K
— Joker Movie (@jokermovie) September 16, 2019
Joker, which stars Joaquin Phoenix as Fleck, follows a comedian’s downfall, as he keeps getting rejected by Gotham City and turns into one of the most famous villains of all time. Trailers for the movie give a preview of Fleck’s internal turmoil, as he battles mental illness and attempts to make a name for himself in a neglectful environment.
The film was made to be complicated, hard to digest, and shocking, so viewers would have to dive deep on Fleck’s fate.
“I always enjoy movies that are difficult to speak about right after,” Phillips explained. “You go ‘You know, I want to process this a little bit.’ I always find those to be particularly rewarding in a way. It’s not like that was a specific goal, but it is something that I always enjoy about movies, where you can’t necessarily distill it down into a one line thing really simply. So, yeah, I suppose it was somewhat of a goal.”
Joker hits theaters on October 4.
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