A new study conducted by researchers from Stanford University, Yale University, and the University of Connecticut has concluded that films geared towards mental health tend to do a lot better at the box office and oftentimes receive favorable ratings from fans and critics alike. And that includes 2019's Joker film starring Joaquin Phoenix. Although it's classified as a comic book origin film, Joker has been considered a movie that tackles mental health, thanks to its intense and oftentimes graphic scenes and depressing plot.
According to the said research published by medRxiv which surveyed 2043 films released between 1977 and 2019, movies with plots involving psychological illnesses had higher box office returns than regular feature films. This, of course, is an interesting and intriguing assessment but when you look back at some of the films released over the last couple of years, including Silver Linings Playbook and Perks ofBeing a Wallflower, it does make a lot of sense and people seem to be more drawn to films that tackle mental health.
Now, going back to Joker, the film's shocking twist has definitely left the door wide open for a sequel, and just recently, it was reported that Joaquin Phoenix was offered a huge sum to reprise his twisted role as Arthur Fleck. It'll be interesting though if they'll keep the sense of realism in the next one or if they'll go full-blown comic book film. After all, it's the Clown Prince of Crime we're talking about.
In other news, Jared Leto is set to reprise his Joker role in the Snyder Cut of Justice League.
Also Read: James Gunn was Given the Choice to Direct Superman Before Choosing The Suicide Squad
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