Joker is likely to be one of the most debated and discussed films of the year. With every new review that releases — including our own from Joe Lipsett — we see more varied takes on this landmark piece of comic book cinema. One particular read on the film from /Film’s Chris Evangelista has said that Joker is “a violent, nihilistic horror film.” Considering how the labeling of certain movies as horror always stirs debate, I thought it’d be interesting to contemplate what horror movies would make for a good pre-show before Joker.
So here are seven horror films that you should check out before you see Joker.
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)
One of the main talking points surrounding Joker has been about the prevalence of stories focused on loner men who lash out against society with horrific violence. That will also be a running theme throughout our list here, but if you’re going to go with the most stomach-churning and uncomfortable version of that tale, look no further than the highly controversial Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.
Loosely based on the confessions of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, John McNaughton’s feature debut is a bleak and uncompromising portrayal of an amoral murderer. Its barren, documentary approach to the filmmaking is often so unflinching that the fiction of the piece dissolves away. You feel like you’re witnessing something real. All this horror is anchored by two fantastic performances by Michael Rooker as Henry and Tom Towles as his partner in crime, Otis.
As Joker continues to bring up the complications of empathizing with difficult protagonists, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer offers an even stickier and complex entry into such a debate. It’s one of the toughest films you’ll ever watch, but it’s also one of the most expertly crafted.
Fun side note: Both Joker and Henry are movie titles with five letters. I’m reminded of Steven Spielberg talking about the similarities between his films Duel and Jaws. One of the points he brought up was that both movie titles had four letters. This is how my brain works.
Man Bites Dog (1992)
If Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is simply too grim for you, a step above that would be the dark comedy Man Bites Dog. The movie is a mockumentary that follows the exploits of a professional serial killer, Ben (Benoît Poelvoorde). Shot with 16mm black & white, Man Bites Dog is one of the blackest comedies ever made. But, it is really funny if you have the most twisted sense of humor possible.
This is a movie that riffs on This Is Spinal Tap as much as it does Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. There’s even a direct reference to This Is Spinal Tap that I won’t spoil here because it’s downright hilarious. But, Man Bites Dog isn’t all laughs. Ben is as terrifying as he is charming, and when he begins roping the documentary crew into the participation of his crimes, the movie showcases its big artistic question: where does the line between viewership and participation with content begin?
Joker has caused an overwhelming amount of argument when it comes to the responsibility of art and what it means in regards to the audience’s culpability in what a movie depicts. Man Bites Dog is directly addressing that issue with a sinister smile, but it’s not offering an easy answer to such a layered question.
American Psycho (2000)
Joker is a movie that deals with class and wealth inequality from the perspective of a character on the poorest end of the societal spectrum. If you want to follow a story about a murderous individual on the rich end of said spectrum, there’s no better flick to check out than American Psycho. Writer/director Mary Harron (along with co-writer Guinevere Turner) adapt Bret Easton Ellis’s controversial novel about a homicidal investment banking executive into one of the craziest and greatest movies of its decade.
Patrick Bateman is the purest embodiment of ‘80s affluence and apathy. What’s shocking is how this sociopathic monster has become an icon for some viewers who misread the film’s intentions. I wish I could find this video advertisement I saw for a life coaching service that was a braindead, totally genuine aping of Patrick’s inner monologuing about his lifestyle and routine. It was insane to see such a clear satire of a character be embraced as someone worth idolizing.
And that’s been such a huge element in the controversy surrounding Joker: presenting a movie where the lead character is not supposed to be venerated but ends up becoming admired in some way. We need to have movies and art that features despicable protagonists, and you don’t get more despicable than Patrick Bateman.
And yes, before someone in the comments mentions it, Christian Bale was a Batman.
The Last Circus (2010)
Something we haven’t covered in this list is killer/evil clown movies. There are plenty of great ones out there but few of them feel like tonal and/or thematic cousins to Joker. However, there is a flick that uses the idea of clowns to explore deeper traumas, personality traits, and social commentary. That film is Álex de la Iglesia’s The Last Circus.
The film follows the life Javier, a sad clown who strives for the affections of trapeze artist Natalia. Unfortunately, she seems doomed to love Sergio, the sadistic happy clown that leads the circus. What plays out between the trio is a descent into madness and obsession that tears apart the lives of everyone involved. By the end of the film, both Javier and Sergio have become disfigured beasts of their clown personas. Certainly sounds like a fitting companion to Joker, eh?
Not only does The Last Circus deliver a compelling and outrageous character drama, but it also acts as an allegory for the modern history of Spain. As grotesque and absurd as The Last Circus gets, it finds a dark heart in the middle of its woeful rage. It’s a nutty picture that blends repulsion and beauty into a singularly abominable experience that stands as one of the best “killer clown” films you’ll ever see.
Maniac (1980)
William Lustig’s infamous slasher Maniac is another piece of cinema that puts the audience in the shoes of a psychotic madman, but what gives this a particular connection to Joker is its location and atmosphere. Set in the grungiest corners of New York City, Maniac is a slimy, sweaty movie that echoes the grubby version of Gotham City we’ll see in Joker.
And for a fun bit of trivia, Maniac star Joe Spinell was attempting to make a sequel to Maniac where he played a children’s television host that dressed up as a clown. You can actually see the test reel/short film for that abandoned follow-up right here.
Though, if you only watch one version of Maniac, I highly recommend Franck Khalfoun’s 2012 remake.
Maniac (2012)
This version puts the viewer directly in the killer’s eyes — this time played with meek and pathetic terror by a superb Elijah Wood — as he stalks and mutilates women.
When we talk about difficult cinema and having to involve ourselves with characters that disturb us, Maniac (2012) should always be brought up as a prime example of how to tell these kinds of unnerving tales.
The Voices (2014)
To end on a slightly less nihilistic note, let’s take a look at another notable actor/superhero star who has played a violent yet sympathetic person with mental instability.
Ryan Reynolds delivers his absolute best performance in The Voices, a horror/comedy that tells the story of a lonely but lovable guy named Jerry. Jerry is quiet, shy, boyish, and sweet-hearted. Unfortunately, he also suffers from delusions such as believing his pets speak to him. And when he starts to pursue his office crush (Gemma Arterton), things spiral out of control into the most heinous and hilarious scenarios imaginable.
The Voices is a great example of how to tell an undeniably bleak and sad story while not totally succumbing to the trappings of nihilism. Director Marjane Satrapi knows how to showcase Jerry’s view of the world to best illustrate his state of mind, and she uses this in clever and surprising ways. Sometimes they are utilized for humor and other times… well, just see the movie and you’ll get what I mean.
Of all the films on this list, I hope The Voices is the one people seek out. It’s criminally under-discussed and deserves way more recognition.
Do you have any movies you’ll be watching before Joker hits theaters on October 4?
