Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker: The Surprising Source Behind His Oscar Win
Joaquin Phoenix’s take on the Joker stunned audiences, but the real inspiration behind his performance came from an unexpected classic actor, not the usual suspects.
When Joaquin Phoenix stepped into the shoes of Batman’s infamous foe in Joker, he delivered a version of the character that felt completely fresh. Over the years, the role has attracted some of the biggest names in the business, each putting their own spin on the villain. Cesar Romero kicked things off in the old-school Batman series with Adam West, but it was Jack Nicholson’s larger-than-life turn in Tim Burton’s 1989 film and Mark Hamill’s voice work in the animated series that really showed just how layered the character could be. Heath Ledger’s haunting portrayal in The Dark Knight, which earned him a posthumous Oscar, seemed to set the bar so high that many punters reckoned no one else could match it. Jared Leto’s go at the role in Suicide Squad didn’t exactly win over the locals, but then Phoenix came along and took a punt on the part in Todd Phillips’ gritty origin story.
Joker wasn’t your typical comic book flick. Gotham was reimagined as a tough, almost unrecognisable city, drawing on the look and feel of 1970s New York, with a clear nod to Martin Scorsese’s films. Batman was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Phoenix played a bloke struggling with his mental health, slowly morphing into the Joker after being battered by the world around him. The film sparked plenty of debate about its take on mental illness and violence, but it was a massive hit, becoming the first R-rated film to crack the billion-dollar mark. Even those who weren’t fans had to admit Phoenix’s performance was something else, earning him a well-deserved Oscar for Best Actor. What set his take apart was how he managed to make the character feel both new and oddly sympathetic, steering clear of what his predecessors had done. Turns out, that’s because he looked to a completely different kind of performer for inspiration.
Looking Beyond the Obvious
Phoenix didn’t draw from the usual pool of Joker actors. Instead, he found his muse in Ray Bolger, a classic performer known for his distinctive physical style.
“I think what influenced me the most was Ray Bolger,” Phoenix told the Associated Press, “There was a particular song called ‘The Old Soft Shoe’ that he performed, and I saw a video of it, and there’s this odd arrogance almost to his movements and I completely just stole it from him.”
Bolger, best remembered for playing the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, had a way of moving that was both quirky and captivating. Phoenix was struck by the confidence and strangeness in Bolger’s dance, and he channelled that energy into his own performance.
Rather than copying the manic energy or sinister edge of previous Jokers, Phoenix focused on physicality. He studied Bolger’s routines, picking up on the subtle swagger and offbeat rhythm. This approach gave his character a unique presence, making him stand out in a role that’s been tackled by so many before.
Crafting a New Persona
By borrowing from a song-and-dance man rather than another villain, Phoenix managed to sidestep the shadow of earlier performances. His Joker moved with a strange grace, at times almost dancing through scenes, which added a layer of unpredictability. The result was a character who felt both unsettling and oddly human, a far cry from the over-the-top antics or pure menace of past versions.
This choice didn’t just set Phoenix apart; it also helped the film itself break away from the usual superhero formula. Joker became a character study, more interested in what makes a person snap than in capes and gadgets. Phoenix’s commitment to this offbeat inspiration paid off, earning him not just critical acclaim but also a place in film history.