This is one of the best DC/Marvel films ever made. With Joaquin Phoenix playing the Joker we witness a master acting class. Joaquin’s beautiful portrayal wipes Heath Ledger’s take on the Joker off the map. Todd Phillips brilliantly directs this dark vision of Gotham city that resonates with our current political climate and the homeless crisis. Joaquin gets to the heart of mental illness with a blunt knife. The backstory revolves around Phoenix juggling a career as a clown, becoming a stand-up comic and taking care of his mother. The script is pure genius as it weaves the story of Batman into the film. This thought- provoking film about how society sees “the other” is devastating.