Viewers appreciate authenticity and sincerity on screen. It’s always clear when an actor truly understands their character — or, conversely, fails to grasp who they are playing. Joaquin Phoenix’s performance in the 2019 psychological thriller Joker stunned both audiences and critics.
For his role, the star won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Actor. Preparing for the part was challenging: for the film, the actor went on a strict diet, eating only apples, asparagus, and lettuce — losing 24 kilograms to achieve the frail, sickly look required for the role. For eight months, the on-screen Joker read books on psychiatry and worked with a choreographer.
A significant contribution to the film’s success came from the actor’s improvisations. Joaquin Phoenix often deviated from the script, behaving as bizarrely as his character Arthur Fleck.
For example, the refrigerator scene wasn’t originally in the script. During filming, the actor spontaneously opened the fridge, climbed inside, and shut the door, leaving everyone on set surprised.
Another instance is the bathroom dance scene. Initially, Arthur was only supposed to look at himself in the mirror. However, Phoenix went further, dancing in the frame and creating one of Joker’s most iconic moments.
