How Joaquin Phoenix Prepared to Play the Joker | Brut

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Joaquin Phoenix told Brut about the physical and psychological tricks he used to embody the twisted horror of "Joker" - and how he came up with that unsettling laugh.
"Joker" explores how Phoenix’s character Arthur Fleck becomes the notorious villain, who eventually torments Gotham City and become Batman’s arch nemesis. To prepare for the role, Phoenix says he studied the side effects of the seven medications Fleck takes in the film.
"There are all these message boards filled with people talking about these extreme changes in weight - either they put on weight or they lost weight," he said.
Phoenix also explains how he studied videos that show people having uncontrollable fits of laughter, and how this changed his perceptions of Fleck.
"It also just challenged my own feelings about this character,” he said. “It challenged my empathy… It was a tough character. It was a tough movie. It didn't provide any easy answers or solutions."
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[@Missjunebugfreak]

He's my favourite actor working today. Just brilliant in almost every performance.

[@bunthansephierothkong5478]

June Asiimwe nice 👍🏾

[@waspyshihtzu6958]

Drop the almost

[@OPJuiceBox]

June Asiimwe who is your favourite actor ever?

[@Missjunebugfreak]

@@OPJuiceBox That's such a hard one but I'd say either Daniel Day Lewis or Philip Seymour Hoffman.

[@batmansboomerang]

I like him when he was in the gladiator movie

[@mrfin02]

Joaquin studies a disorder in order to know to laugh. Leto studies a sqeakin door

[@sriharsha3013]

Bro you killed it

[@nanisarkar8246]

Well that's dedication people.

[@dschoenewald7320]

Lol

[@gusfringo69]

actually leto didn't study chair okay...im offended by this why you people don't check ur facts...Leto studied Squidwards laugh..come on it's obvious

[@markkamula7240]

i think leto's joker is the worst

[@untiecries9174]

Joaquin Phoenix lives in a society for 45 years to prepare for his role as joker

[@tripletroubletruffle9827]

i'm probably very stupid for asking but what do you mean?

[@amyervin7508]

You wouldn’t get it

[@aceme2206]

5 outta ten he meant that this was his big break through

[@please12345ful]

Your comment deserves much more likes.

[@jawad_youtube]

😆😆😆

[@soupthesart]

Jared Lego is a clown and Joaquin Phoenix is the joker the lego was a joke a bad one)

[@mebibibi]

Im Oreoz lego PSHHHHH

[@mrpancakedemon7454]

Heath ledger

[@swagmamas825]

Leto* get his name right before you decide to disrespect him, also his role as the joker was amazing.

[@watershelf7246]

Helin Canbolat lmao you funny as hell jared lego was terrible as joker

[@MouthyProductions]

@@swagmamas825 it was joke, and jared lego was indeed a trash joker

[@allanb1743]

You can clearly see that Phoenix had a real passion for acting. His portrayal of Joker was A1

[@charlottesims2595]

His performance gives me goosebumps, absolutely impeccably done

[@theoldsoul9667]

You know what hurts us the most. On some level every part of Jokers character was relatable to us. Some of us have been made fun of, not understood even when we had good intentions like the scene where he made that young boy laugh and the mother was mean to the joker, the loneliness of not being understood/ seen as important or a valued member of society, buttons pushed until the end even when we often have not done anything wrong, the freedom and sense of feeling home the ending scene as well as the chaos outside but some level of internal peace on thr inside. The way society creates monsters by their words,actions and behaviour and on some level we are the joker and that is what brings all these emotions.

[@aranklogu]

If society is responsible for the monsters like Ted Bundy, Charles Manson then why even charge & arrest them for the crimes they committed? Everyone should be arrested.

[@dx180]

Well said.

[@W.2026]

1:45 "The scene in the movie where, um..." (What was his name again? *turns around to look* Oh yeah, Arthur!) Arthur is dancing in the bathroom..."

[@MyEnemy]

That was weird, ha ha.

[@freddy-hy9vf]

Its a tactic to make the viewer focus on something else to make the talking gap less awkward. Love it.

[@ishams8979]

Joaquin Phoenix is scary in Joker.. How he made his craft is just brilliant.Bravo👏

[@andrewmiller4885]

This man is something else . He is never caught acting . Some of the really big names and really good actors , good as they are , are caught doing just that in many scenes ...ACTING!..... Joaquin has you believing he IS the character . He is an incredible talent . You completely lose sight of the movie star in the role completely. So so happy he won the Oscar for the joker , it was long overdue in my opinion . Congrats Joaquin .

[@jarvis1777]

andrew miller Hoenstly tho , also another person robert Downey jr , he is tony stark himself the famous iron man they are the same lol robert deserves oscars

[@nunyabusiness3516]

Yes, him in Gladiator is perfection!!

[@olgaanisimova6916]

This was a brilliant performance. A heartbreaking story of a gentle soul that had to withdraw itself from the cruel reality and ultimately ended up in a sunken place with no return.

[@laurih.t.8723]

They showed the wrong bathroom scene. Cuz it's the one after the train

[@torquilmacleod2577]

Lauri H.T. Was thinking same thing

[@janhalouzka8582]

They can use only the scenes from trailers

[@laurih.t.8723]

@@janhalouzka8582 But the subway bathroom dance scene is in the trailer. They picked the wrong one cuz I've read articles where it's ALL about the subway bathroom scene. And they shot it with only one camera with just Joaquin & Todd & the cameraman to a song Todd had been listening to. It just came together & is ONE of the brilliant moments in this film. Breathtaking. Beautiful. I'm a dancer & it gave me goosebumps at how pure, organic & yet sofisicated that dance scene came off & was performed & cinematically put together for the film. This movie truly is art. If you lose one scene it's not perfect.

[@thewanderboyjitinraj9010]

For me the laughter and the dance they were something else, it's hard to describe it in words. It's like somewhere in the deep recesses of our mind there is a piece of the Joker which identifies with the pain and despair he was felt.

[@SumitSinghBhutyal]

And how do you know

[@vmoonlight4962]

I am from the future, he won Best Actor at the Academy Awards, okay lol i am excited to watch the Oscar coming up because of this. He gave his 110% for this role. Absolutely shocking his performances.

[@themadtitan7603]

Your "prophecy" becomes more accurate with each award season win.

[@Raftors]

im from the future too. I was so happy when he won

[@johntinio1680]

You should've told us about the virus and the riots.

[@Crowws]

You aren't from the future. You just thought of the same thing every one else has, This guy is a great actor, and great actors win awards.

[@Blue-Apple-fc9eo]

@@Crowws it was a joke…

[@jesusfdez4892]

Why do so many people bully and make fun of Leto's Joker performance? Haven't you learned anything from Phoenix's Joker's message? No one should be constantly made fun of for trying his best. I'm pretty sure Arthur Fleck wouldn't approve so much hate on a person who doesn't deserve it at all. You just want to venerate Phoenix's Joker by discrediting and expressing aversion to Leto's performance. Please, stop.

[@grace9071]

Oh my God every time I hear Leto's laugh it makes me want to go bang my head on a wall. It's horrible

[@ErraticMastermind]

Same. I want to shoot myself whenever I hear it. It's just so cringe worthy... 😭

[@galihriskipratama3631]

Even in mr.nobody movie?

[@galihriskipratama3631]

Imo, honestly leto is not that bad

[@kidd00]

Its like " a, a, a, AAhHaaHh

[@kidd00]

@@galihriskipratama3631 yea kinda ngl

[@TheJempooh]

I think he is the perfect actor for this role. Good job Joaquim!

[@eviejynx4550]

His voice is so strange! like it isn’t bad that’s not what Im saying but there’s like this other tone in the background of his voice? Or throat? when he speaks

[@0zoneTherapyCures]

From smoking.

[@meshezza]

He was born with a hare lip... I don’t know but maybe it’s something to do with that

[@malenesolbakken8240]

Kerry Davies its just a scar, not a cleft lip

[@meshezza]

Malene Solbakken oh, he must of been lying in that interview then

[@Idokun85]

That scene when Arthur is dancing in the bathroom (not shown here) is probably my favorite scene in the joker. I love the contrast between the filthy public bathroom and his gentle choreography, you can feel his insanity. That scene is really dark but so beautiful at the same time.

[@VitomirMilosevic]

He played Joker so well,I couldn't watch!A masterpiece for sure.

[@sjg5994]

That's why I haven't watched it. Painful to see someone dealing with such negativity.

[@zinussan50]

There are only few perfectionists among us. He is one of them and his passion become legend for decades.

[@_Seaborg_]

Joaquin is accually the only joker actor that didnt drive mad after playing Joker

[@spoppyboi6427]

lmao

[@amanshrestha2147]

Leto ?

[@_Seaborg_]

@@amanshrestha2147 ah yes.. but leto was bad (in my opinion)

[@amanshrestha2147]

@@_Seaborg_ yes he was bad he's an average actor who got all the hype after Dallas buyers club he kinda lacks that joker aura like pheonix had only that screen test before the joker movie where he smiles and moves his eyebrows got me like Yeah we are gonna witness a masterpiece

[@GrayWoIf]

Leto straight up started a cult on an island

[@Panta_rei00]

I adore him and I have to say that Todd and Joaquin are great together. This Joker is my favorite ever! 💜

[@Kermy88]

Joaquin Phoenix is the definition of greatest of all time! Most actors do it as a job, he just goes above and beyond. Masterpiece of a movie from a Masterpiece of a performer!!

[@cuauhtemocmorisco3493]

He takes his profession seriously and doesn't just assume everything will be alright. I love Joaquin Pheonix as the Joker as much as i love Heath Ledger. Absolute G.O.A.T!!!🤘🤘🤘

[@zubeidakaker1228]

He was FANTASTIC IN THIS MOVIE superb brilliant actor xx

[@jmarie1464]

The world's drivers people crazy then throws them away..so sad

[@chaddubois8164]

After Heath Ledger passed away and people were talking about who could play the Joker, I thought Joaquin could do it but he never would....... I'm glad I was wrong.

[@edwardnillos2221]

He deserves the best actor award.

[@prasanjit834]

he got it five days back at Oscars

[@parvatisnair1531]

It was really difficult to match heath Ledger who played joker in dark Knight mind Blowingly but this man done it.... Huge respect sir...

[@kathloveeee]

This man eyes speaks everything ...even if doesnt say anything his eyes can do all the acting

[@novellamoores9387]

He's my favourite actor working today. Just brilliant in almost every performance.

[@johnbrett-smith2069]

Imagine putting Jared Leto alongside the greats that have played The Joker. He's one of the worst

[@dieweissehand]

I think the whole movie where Jared played the joker was... let me be nice: not so good at all, only that blond girl made it a little bit interesting, but in my opinion not her and even Will Smith as deadshot could not make it a good movie. So was Jareds joker also not good, but is it really his fault? I dont think so... I only know one more movie with Jared and it is lord of war, and there he is absolutely ok, so I think he is maybe not a bad actor, just that one movie and his role have been s***. But of course playing the joker you will be always compared to such great protrayals like the one of Joaquin or Heath, and even Jack Nicholson was a very good one in his own way. And in 10 or 15 years when they decide to show us a new joker this discussion will start again

[@cathychrosniak3742]

Joaquin beat all jokers he was the best.......I lovehim

[@sad.brokenhelplesskid163]

Jackein pheonix = complete actor ✔️

[@fredsavage5300]

He's a tool. Modern day millionaire activist who tells others how to live but cant be bothered to show us how first.

[@adityachandra6585]

What really amazes me is that the clips that I have seen from the movie were so much weighed on psychology and that Mr. Joaquin Phoenix and Todd Phillips were so honest about how difficult was the challenge in every take to bring out that laughter, those tears, those dance steps.... like I will remember this character and this movie for its complexity than remember any other DC superhero movies where the true potential of an acting profession is tested and Appreciated. I can't really say anything much... it's tough to explain.....All I would say is that this character, this actor really deserves a special place in our Hearts, an Oscar win is not all. :)

[@barryrichman9424]

He’s the Adele of actors ?

[@leidypaolamorel2269]

Yes.

[@Timekeeper1200]

The best actor around today by a long long long way

[@jamessins1163]

Bale?

[@sarthakmishra1947]

Leonardo ?

[@ryanrobbins2032]

Daniel Day Lewis?

[@Dranreb865]

Marvel actors are the best.

[@catwoman8861]

This movie was an incredible tragic study of the human condition. No offence to Batman fans but it when waaay beyond all of that stuff.

[@katrinalampkin9826]

This movie was so capturing on so many levels that is hard to pinpoint anything specifically that grabs you because everything grabs you and sets off every emotion and affects all five senses because you can physically imagine what it must feel like to get beaten up just because of differences and individuality whether it's from mental illness or not. You can taste the blood in your mouth from him getting hit in the mouth by terroristic bigots on that train. You can hear the pain when he talks in especially when he laughs. You can't even imagine the smell of desperation and loneliness and that's a weird one to try to put into words but I said all that to say that this movie challenges you on so many levels hey you really appreciate the message behind what the movie is meant to portray and you really appreciate the level of care and the thoughtfulness that King Joachim Phoenix put into that character to make the audience challenge their way of thinking by being empathetic towards another human being despite our differences and that's an amazing thing to do to say the least or for lack of better words so thank you. King Phoenix should win every award that is out there and all of them should be yours because you have really tapped into the depths of human emotion and suffering!

[@robharding8256]

He said after the movie everything was back to normal. He let go of the character very easily. Just flew home, fed his dogs. That was it.

[@daveroberts7373]

The first time I saw Jo P was in the movie space camp . Even as a child he had something else. Something about his performance that was not acting. And of course that is the secret of being a wonderful performing artist. That what we see on screen is believable. And we forget about acting . Jo P’s performance in gladiator was a human performance. Humble , emotional and honest. Realistic. But his performance in Joker? Was so human and relativ to us all that we could understand and remember past life experiences within ourselves that sometimes ! The performance was to painful to watch. And those moments of recognition are clearer now within us all after the joker . An incredible Shakespearian art of story telling alongside Larry and Marlon . Thank you

[@RBR_SPY21]

Perfecting the Joker role can literally kill a person, goes to show how messed up Joker really is

[@allanb1743]

I do not think that Leto played a bad Joker. He should have been given a better chance. The issue is that there was a very high expectation from him following the heavyweights like Nicholson and Ledger. It took Phoenix to top those 2 legends. Give Leto a chance because he would fit in much better in the DC universe than Phoenix would since the latest Joker movie which was the best DC comic movie I had ever seen was a only standalone movie.

[@felixblack8274]

Can’t believe this is River Phoenix’s brother. Crazy

[@purtpert3824]

Idd, rip he played the young Indiana Jones as well poor soul

[@thethe8458]

I had no idea!!! WOW!

[@kpkpkpop7723]

joker is the best movie in 2019 for me it deserves the oscar more than any film in 2019 phenix you are great💖❤❤

[@BWT599]

I could relate when Joaquin mentioned that he was very aware of the movement of the character after losing the weight. I lost 45 pounds in 2 months on Keto from 245 lbs, and getting back to 200 pounds, I remember the old me but also the new me in how I could now move differently. Sadly, I gained all the weight back after a major infection that lead to emergency surgery 😂

[@peytonmcafee]

Joaquin and heath I feel like they both really studied hard to perfect the role. also they are my favorites.

[@xParadiddler]

This movie was actually insane.

[@addured]

joaquin play an real joker

[@vida_eterna.777]

Jesus loves you Joaquin Phoenix❤️

[@Shaz6999]

Joaquin is a babe oh and brilliant actor of course

[@debussy7538]

Damn I love his eyes.

[@gegedota5281]

his voice kinda unique and it is really fit to his role.

[@noellacrespin2873]

Magnifique personne et acteur génial une fan

[@Bob-yu9kr]

I’ve never seen this interview before, and I’ve seen it all with Joaquin. Great find 👍🏼

[@caspeansea9179]

This was just Joker without makeup talking.

[@sebastianalegria3401]

Joaquin isn't just a talented actor, so a great activist, his speech at the Oscar was actually powerful, and full of consciousness, don't yout think?

[@ivonnebeauchamp8738]

Glorious work. A masterpiece. Thanks

[@jsmcguireIII]

Joaquin gets it. He has earned our respect like so few have.

[@aliceiliar5015]

Why do everyone change sooooo much after doing joker role Even on audience it also cause some phycological effect

[@kysa3535]

because we all have a joker in us that wants to destroy the System.

[@Gxrlla]

Because it's such a dark and evil character and your practically living and becoming that evil for about a year (or however long filming is) and immersing your self in the darkness of the role

[@thethe8458]

With how amazingly he played that role, I'd be worried if it didn't affect him negatively somehow. He lived that role. He owned it.

[@anjanayadav5320]

Many have said, "He didn't won Oscar, Oscar won him."

[@letsgetit8893]

One of the best actors of all time

[@cgiraffs]

i find it really interesting that even a brilliant actor like Joaquin Phoenix, he has a hard time trying to figure the right or the best way to portray the character and getting the right laugh. Makes him more human and relatable.

[@antonystarling]

Fantastic interpretation of the Joker, such hard acts to follow, up there with the best

[@Tommy-dk1xk]

He was already a nut job this movie shouldn’t have been to hard but I liked his performance in Ladder 49

[@daninahk493]

An Oscar well deserved. 👏

[@MikeruEsports]

That's why is joaquin phoenix is the best JOKER I've ever seen 😁 Joker is my best character after batman 😂😂

[@johnfadds6089]

Playing the Joker was easy for him as he's a real life nutcase.

[@notwerkinginthishouse8634]

And that's why he is great

[@HappySmilingDog-d7u]

well thats rude

[@johnfadds6089]

@@HappySmilingDog-d7u it is rude because it's true. If it wasn't, it would've been a joke.

[@notwerkinginthishouse8634]

@@johnfadds6089 u don't even know him

[@helloitsme3344]

no, because he went through such a hard life and he could understand joker.

[@davidsabourin3680]

Joaquin is the Marlon Brando of this generation

[@SumitSinghBhutyal]

Jared Leto was a joker Joaquin Phoenix is real joker

[@itsraynon]

I personally think that the best joker was heath ledger

[@momoaa3438]

凄い絵になる風貌になられた。 人としてどんな方なんだろうか。 ショーンコネリーの後をついでほしい。

[@sheldoncooper8199]

While Heath Ledger is my Favorite Joker...This is the most realistic version. He pulled of the impossible he made me feel Empathy for the Joker.

[@Scarface1982G]

Masterpiece

[@CA2591]

I love his voice when he speaks

[@jheed3865]

You know he's a cleft palate patient then right?

[@zango3134]

@@jheed3865 who cares? I don’t see a problem lol

[@jheed3865]

@@zango3134 I'm just proud that they love his voice even if he has a cleft

[@zango3134]

@@jheed3865 oh that’s good lol I thought you were saying it was like ugly or something

[@jheed3865]

@@zango3134 I'm a cleft palate patient too 🥺

[@vivatherasmus]

He’s so impressive 💕💕💕💕🔝🔝🔝😍👏👍

[@zacharymittman5317]

His laugh is better than all of Suicide Squad.

[@tikafeng5448]

Joaquin Phoenix, I first met him in his charming role in the movie Two Loves , he was amazing.

[@chillhoptunes2643]

You can just clearly see from the thumbnail how his face suggest many times he gets asked this question

[@antaravaishnavi]

0:41 when he said, "everybody.........", I heard, "everybody is awful these days"! 😅

[@pornessianparrpio1398]

Its challenging but..... *Its a masterpiece!*

[@jomuBiH]

I thought that Jack Nickolson was best Joker. Joaquin is the best. Realllllyyyyy :)

[@jamesmitchell3612]

One of the best acting performances of all time from jp. Genius. Ty jacquin.

[@mattrogerson5663]

Why does he slur his words so much?

[@xfurygamingx3027]

And now he has an oscar. 👏🏼

[@annarousiadou784]

It’s a modern film noir he’s such an amazing artist .. an actor from within not the other superficial on action films

[@metalrockguy7833]

The Big 3: Heath Ledger Joaquin Phoenix Jack Nicholson

[@lonelypotato6175]

That’s it, I’m gonna say it. He’s easily the best Joker. You can come for me all you want. It’s not gonna change my opinion. I said what I said. But don’t belittle me, don’t be rude to me, don’t get angry at me because my opinion is different than yours.

[@helloitsme3344]

i agree ^^

[@lonelypotato6175]

helloitsme He just portrayed the role SO well, it’s honestly insane.

[@helloitsme3344]

@@lonelypotato6175 ikr! like no one can ever replace or live up to his standard

[@lonelypotato6175]

helloitsme period! Now I’m not saying that other jokers weren’t good, Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger played the part amazingly, it’s just that at the end of the day I just really liked Joaquin’s performance the best.

[@helloitsme3344]

​^^^ took the words from my mouth, love heath ledger, but joaquin is elite

[@szyl8595]

He's one of the only actors really worthy of the title

[@alexjdyjj4041]

The best actor around today by a long long long way

[@quantumthoughts174]

Jared Leto was meh heath was dope Joaquin amazing.

[@seanhernandez8081]

Jack Nicholson was dope and amazing too!!!

[@brady1692]

Does anyone else find it ironic that Joaquin studied the movements of the actor who played scarecrow in the wizard of Oz for the stair dance

[@c0lonelcaca]

0:08 We don't talk about him here

[@geetagautam8771]

joaquin phoenix is the best joker but heath ledger was an emotion

[@0zoneTherapyCures]

There was NO HEATH in his Joker. No empathy for his character either. Joaquin humanized Joker, actually made billionaire Batman look like the detached villain, flipping the script.

[@jessicabenitessoto466]

Me encanta que este actor estudie tan bien a sus personajes, :)

[@bandanasahal1786]

He has brought out his best in thiis movie and Really worked hard!! ... Lv u Joaquin!!! 💞💞

[@guyfieri4017]

Who is this guy? He looks like the joker.

[@cristinadc2534]

i love the laughing scenes... incredible

[@nickcharles6530]

If you loved this movie you need to check out GG Allin’s performance in “Hated”, Todd Philips’ other excellent film.