The gritty and unsettling origin story of Batman’s arch enemy, Joker opened to record breaking numbers this weekend, raking in an estimated $93.5 million at the global box office, according to CNN.
Claiming the record previously held by Venom, Joker has managed to become the highest grossing opening for a movie releasing in October. Venom held the record with a $80 million gross, compared to Joker’s $93.5 million, also making it the largest opening for Warner Bros. this year along with being one of the biggest openings for an R-rated film; the movie has reportedly raked in $234 million worldwide.
Joaquin Phoenix plays the role of the dreaded Joker to perfection.
Triggering critics and mental health advocates, the movie has garnered a lot of criticism over its controversial theme and depiction of indiscriminate violence. However, it has still managed to lure in moviegoers, thanks to the hype created around it and the positive lauding it received at the Venice Film Festival, where it evoked an 8-minute standing ovation and bagged the Golden Lion for Best Film. Oscar talk around the movie is also rife.
According to CNN, ahead of the movies release, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security in the US had warned law enforcement about threats to moviegoers; some calling for mass shooting, reminiscent of the shooting at a theater in Aurora during a Dark Knight Rises show. Warner Bros., which is owned by WarnerMedia, clarified that the film is not “an endorsement of real-world violence of any kind.”
The movie, chronicling the origin of the dark and maniacal character of the Joker, played by Joaquin Phoenix, and directed by Tod Phillips, currently holds a 69% score on Rotten Tomatoes, is rated higher than The Dark Knight on IMDb, and has a B+ at Cinemascore.
Watch the trailer here:
