What makes a movie truly scary is not the number of jump scares or the scary music that is played when entering a dark room, but simply it is the psychological stress it puts you through. If you’re looking for a truly scary movie that makes you realize that society is the main horror in our lives, and mental illness is no joke, then buy your tickets to the next possible showing of Joker.

Produced and written by Warner Brothers Studios, Joker is a much-needed deviation from the comic book movie adaptations we have seen in the past ten years. For such a long time, superhero and super-villain movies have consisted of humor and large CGI fights, such as in Marvel’s Endgame. Joker has none of these. Instead it is focused on telling the origin story of one of the most psychotic and deranged super-villains in DC Comics and comic book culture all together.

The lead actor in the movie, Joaquin Phoenix, makes the movie such a success, from the physical condition he had to put himself through to the shockingly scary laugh he produces.

A method actor is always revered highly on the big screen, especially one who devotes himself entirely to the role. Heath Ledger, a previous actor who played the role of the joker, was admired for his own method acting. Now Phoenix has taken the screen as the iconic character and is following in Ledger’s footsteps.

The costume design of Joker is very well-thought through and representative of the mental illness a character like that must have to be so insane. The realistic clown paint used on Phoenix is made to look like it was put on without a care, but at the same time put on with effort to show the true nature of the character.

The entire tone of the movie is dark and unsettling. Several twists and expansions of Phoenix’s character of Joker Arthur Fleck are placed with perfect timing. Every time you think you have something figured out about the character, the writers put in another aspect to unsettle you even further.

The music in any movie is important, but this movie doesn’t rely on a soundtrack to get good reviews. There are a few hits used along with some lesser-known songs in certain parts, but these are nothing in comparison to the original orchestral music. The dark tones of the cello and bass convey a feeling of eeriness and insanity.

If you’re looking for a scary movie to watch this Halloween season but aren’t a fan of the classic demon and serial killer movies, then watch Joker. Making $93 million opening weekend, Joker is the movie to watch.