Although it faced controversy during the weeks leading up to its release, Joker defied expectations when it debuted in theaters last Friday. A tour-de-force performance by Joaquin Phoenix and director Todd Phillips’ unique approach to the source material propelled the film to a record breaking weekend at the box office. Now, Phillips has sent out a thank you to fans in a new post on his official Instagram page. You can check out what he had to say below.
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The film may have largely ignored the Batman mythos, but Joker managed to break not one, but two records this weekend. The film already has October’s highest grossing preview night as well as the month’s biggest opening weekend under its belt. Both of those records were previously held by Sony’s Venom; which was released last year.
Of course, breaking these records wasn’t without its fair share of hurdles. The “bumpy ride” Phillips mentions is an obvious reference to critics’ worries about whether the film could inspire real world violence. But in the end, the unflattering press seems to have had the opposite effect, as moviegoers couldn’t stay away.
What do you make of Joker’s box office success? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Joker (DC Black Label Edition)
