The new ‘Joker’ hit theaters recently. It has a decent 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, and many have described the film as gritty, dark, violent, and disturbing.

“(It’s) unsettling, for sure. Innovative, it was very interesting to see a movie like this. You had Marvel doing Infinity War, and Endgame, and all that stuff, but you see DC really kind of come back from all their hardships with this new movie that (is unlike) anything they’ve ever done before,” said Dylan Fabbre, a sophomore at GBHS.

“(It’s a) deep and slightly cynical commentary on current society,” said Suchi Krishnaraj, a chemistry teacher at GBHS.

There has been mixed reactions to the films dark tone, and some say the movie is “dangerous”, and could inspire real life acts of violence or crime.

“I don’t think it could, I don’t imagine fans taking it that way. I feel like it’s a really good piece of work,” said Fabbre. 

“It depends on your mindset when you go in to see the movie. I feel like it can, but at the same time it won’t,” said TyAnna Burton, a junior at GBHS. 

A lot of top critics have made the critique that the film is shallow– a movie that tries to make a statement –but ends up saying nothing at all. 

Other critics say the film is a masterpiece, with excellent cinematography, amazing acting, and a brilliant look on mental illness, and the Joker’s backstory. 

“I felt like the Joker is a fascinating character to get to know, (not) just because he’s kinda crazy, but because like you get to see a side of him you don’t usually get to see in the (comics, novels, and) other movies, you know?” said Burton.

While most people have found themselves sympathizing with Arthur Fleck, the main protagonist, others have said he is just a pathetic loner, lost in Gotham city, unable to fit in, and cope with his horrible life.

“There’s a lot of reasons, in my opinion, to sympathize with him, because … he was bullied his entire life, he didn’t know who his dad was, his mom had mental issues herself but she was also technically lying to him his entire life, and not only was he bullied, he was lied to, disrespected, he wasn’t human,” Burton said. “Like, when you talk to a human you speak with respect, right? But throughout the entire movie everyone who spoke to him talked to him as (if) he (were) stupid, or as if he just didn’t belong… It’s happened to me. Like, I don’t feel like a human, I feel dehumanized, so, you can sympathize with him. People who can’t, I feel like, just aren’t watching it.”

Many were impressed with the films new take on the popular villain’s backstory, as opposed to his old and vague story about falling into a vat of chemicals. 

“This (version) was more comprehensive.” Krishnaraj said. 

“I like the new one. It gave you more background into his life, and it wasn’t just like ‘oh, he hates people because of one incident’, no, he hates certain people because of the things he’s been through in life…I feel like he portrayed the character in a way I had never really seen before, you know? I feel like it was original.” said Burton. 

Overall, the movie has been well received. It’s a very acquired taste in cinema. Most people who chose to go see it did not see what they expected, but were pleasantly surprised by the movie’s unique and gritty tone.