Breaking Down Joker Violence, Loneliness, Tragedy

Breaking Down Joker is a fascinating read. Sean Redmond has collected an array of exciting young scholars, who have each brought a unique perspective to one of the most innovative and controversial films of the 21st Century. From a range of disciplinary approaches, this collection insightfully considers Joker as not merely a complex film, but as a watershed cultural moment. No stone is left unturned as Breaking Down Joker unpacks themes as diverse as liminality, neoliberal political views, urban environments, toxic masculinity, and mental health care deficiencies. This collection is a must for anyone serious about cinema and cultural criticism.

Jeffrey A. Brown, Professor & Chair, Bowling Green State University, USA

Upon its release, Todd Phillips' Joker garnered critical acclaim, awards recognition, and massive box office. The super villain origin story also received criticism for its depiction of violence, mental illness, and toxic masculinity. In Breaking Down Joker celebrated screen studies scholar Sean Redmond enlists an impressive array of global scholars to better understand the film and its wider reception. Applying a range of interdisciplinary perspectives, including screen studies, psychology, and sociology, this collection captures, unpicks, and challenges the often-conflicting views on the controversial film. Few recent films merit this depth of scholarly analysis, and it is harder to imagine a more rounded understanding of Joker than that offered by this exciting new collection.

Associate Professor Liam Burke, author of The Comic Book Film Adaptation