The Unexpected Similarities Between Venom And Joker – Forbes

Joaquin Phoenix arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Joker." (Photo by Jordan ... [+] Strauss/Invision/AP)

Joker was recently crowned the highest grossing R-rated film ever, an unexpected success for the low-budget, non-traditional take on the iconic Batman villain. But theres another comic book antihero who was making headlines last year for massively exceeding expectations.

Octobers domestic and international box office records were first shattered by Venom, and now, Joker, both films wildly surpassing even the most optimistic expectations.

But the two titular characters share a surprising amount in common ...

Both supervillains are a dark reflection of their rival superhero

Venom and the Joker are intimately connected to their archrivals, Spider-Man and Batman, more so than most supervillains.

Venom is the anti-Spider-Man, sharing the webslingers sticky powers, but devoid of Peter Parkers sense of responsibility. Even his costume, a black, monstrous version of Spideys suit, highlights the differences and similarities between the two.

Likewise, the similarity between Batman and the Joker is often commented upon in the films and comics, as both are eccentrics dealing with trauma in their own way, Batman choosing a life of law and discipline, the joker embracing absurdity and nihilism.

In some depictions, the Joker is created by the actions of Batman (The Killing Joke), or vice-versa (Joker, Tim Burtons Batman), each entwined in their rivals origin story.

Same with Spider-Man, who traditionally creates Venom by discarding the symbiote that was embolding his worst qualities, enabling rival reporter Eddie Brock to take up the mantle of Venom.

Both were overanalyzed and judged before release

Most fans were very cynical about the prospect of a Venom-centered movie that didnt feature Spider-Man, viewing the superhero as integral to Venoms existence.

Sonys wobbly track record, combined with an amusingly unenthusiastic Tom Hardy interview, ensured that the film that was widely mocked before it hit theatres. After watching the film, the general consensus was that Venom was indeed a bad movie, but far more entertaining than it had any right to be.

Joker, on the other hand, was picked apart by thousands of think pieces long before the film hit cinemas, with critics proposing that the film was a work of unparalleled genius, dangerous and potentially inspiring to mass-shooters, or a silly, self-serious story about a depressed clown.

The conversation quickly turned hysterical, sparking genuine security concerns, and igniting audience interest, who couldnt ignore a film that had proved so divisive. Im still confused over the pre-panic; the film proved not to be an ode to incel anger, as some claimed, but a clear condemnation of austerity. And frankly, not worth the fuss.

Dont judge a movie by its melodramatic early reviews.

Both are mediocre movies carried by a charismatic star

Neither Joker or Venom are great movies, by themselves; Venom plays like a forgettable superhero flick from the early 2000s, much like Daredevil, while Joker has a confused, half-hearted theme, so vague that critics and audiences all had their own, wildly different interpretations.

Joker wasnt an example of clever, ambiguous storytelling, but a movie that wanted to make a strong political statement and was too timid to say anything of substance. Not to mention, the story of Arthur Fleck isnt nearly as tragic as it tries to be; the sad clown schtick is pushed to the point where it becomes unintentionally amusing.

That being said, both Joker and Venom were extremely entertaining, primarily due to Joaquin Phoenixs fantastic performance, and Tom Hardys caricature of a New Yorker. Both men are dancing to the beat of their own drum, elevating their otherwise-dull movies by their larger-than-life presence.

Without Hardy, Venom would have surely bombed; the eccentric actor didnt let a flat script and silly plot hold back his bizarre interpretation of Eddie Brock. And without Phoenix, the audience would have seen right through Jokers thin veneer, and realized that it was little more than a homage to superior Martin Scorsese films, with a comic book label slapped on the cover.

Both movies prove that charisma can elevate mediocrity, to an almost supernatural degree; just look at how Marvel built an entire universe out of Robert Downey Jr.s personality.

Both tell the story of a societal outcast accepting, and embracing, their differences

Theres something strangely wholesome about both of these movies; Venom is the story of a man who loses his job and his girlfriend, due to his difficult and abrasive personality, but forms a brotherly bond with an otherworldly creature who lives inside him.

Joker tells the story of a powerless man who inspires a citywide riot, finding solace and identity through meaningless violence. Unlike traditional superhero movies, which see a normal person embrace a new strength, Joker and Venom tell stories of outsiders accepting their hideous flaws.

Eddie Brock is now a permanent host to a parasite that like to tear peoples heads off, a relationship which makes him look as though he talks to himself. Arthur Fleck decides that his outbursts of laughter and violence are something to be proud of, and while he might be deranged and delusional, its hard not to root for his twisted triumph toward the end of the film.

If cinema is going to be flooded with superhero movies (much to Martin Scorseses dismay), its nice to see the stories of antiheroes, and outright villains, doing well at the box office.

Despite what certain critics seem to believe, unlikable and immoral protagonists are not harmful; theyre a fun fantasy.

Both characters fall under Rule 34

If it exists, there is porn of it.

The trailer for Venom wasnt just viewed with derision; the glossy, salvia-soaked creature proved oddly appealing.

I dont know if its the orca-esque pattern, the flexible tongue, or the animalistic attitude, but the monstrous Venom somehow managed to ooze sex appeal. At least, for some people.

Amusingly enough, Joker provoked a similar reaction, the films pop culture footprint even extending to Pornhub, with no less than 741,000 searches involving the word "Joker" in the first 4 days following the film's release, proving once and for all that Phoenixs Joker is not an incel.

If anything, hes a chad.

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The Unexpected Similarities Between Venom And Joker - Forbes