Movie review
October 1, 2019 · 122 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Joker is a 2019 psychological drama about Arthur Fleck, a mentally ill party clown and failed comedian in crime-filled 1980s Gotham City, whose personal traumas and societal neglect drive him into violence and the creation of the Joker persona amid rising unrest. The story centers on individual mental breakdown, poverty, and class resentment in a decaying urban environment. Class-based critiques of elite indifference and social service cuts appear through the narrative and some dialogue, but they stay grounded in one man's experience rather than identity politics or activist framing. Creator Todd Phillips has publicly criticized woke culture as stifling comedy, aligning with the film's avoidance of modern representation messaging.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Joker.
Woke representation / casting
Naturalistic urban diversity fitting 1980s Gotham setting; no race/gender swaps, no audience-visible identity signaling, quotas, or story emphasis on representation.
Woke political dialogue
Occasional lines referencing class divide and elite neglect, but sparse and not framed as modern activist ideology or lectures.
Identity-driven story themes
Core focus remains individual trauma, mental illness, and personal descent; no plotlines, arcs, or messaging tied to race, gender, or queer identity.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Visible examination of mental health system failures, social service cuts, and wealthy indifference as factors in despair; presented as contributing to one man's story rather than contemporary activist critiques of patriarchy, systemic racism, or similar frameworks.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant; original origin story with no canon alterations or reinterpretations of established characters or history.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Pre-release fears centered on violence and incel sympathy from progressive critics, with some noting class elements; limited direct accusations of pushing woke content, and director's comments positioned the project against woke norms.
Creator track record context
Todd Phillips has publicly criticized woke culture as limiting comedy; other key creatives and technical crew show no activist or identity-driven patterns in their careers.
Production
