‘Joker’ Will Become Available To Stream Tonight On HBO

Up until today, you could only buy or rent one of the most acclaimed films of 2019. But starting tonight, if you have an HBO subscription you can watch the movie that netted Joaquin Phoenix his long overdue Academy Award: Joker.

A super-villain origin story unlike any other told in cinematic history, this uncomfortably voyeuristic look at the Joker’s rise to power in Gotham City creates empathy for the mentally unstable criminal who would go on to become Batman’s greatest nemesis. Joker follows Arthur Fleck (played by Phoenix) from his early meandering days in a politically unstable environment to his prominence amongst the oppressed people of Gotham City.

The film comes from director Todd Phillips, who made the leap from raunchy comedy (his filmography includes films like Old School, The Hangover series and War Dogs) to psychological drama. The transition netted Phillips his first Academy Award nominations in 13 years, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Previous to Joker, Phoenix had received three Academy Award nominations—one for Best Supporting Actor (for Gladiator) and two for Best Actor (The Master and Walk the Line). This past February, Phoenix’s strange acceptance speech for his performance in Joker notably “broke the internet.”

Joker will be available to stream tonight after it premieres on HBO at 8 p.m. EST.