Batman: The Killing Joke

As Batman hunts for the escaped Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime attacks the Gordon family to prove a diabolical point mirroring his own fall into madness.

Critics found this adaptation of the Joker's origin stilted, with an unnecessary Batgirl prologue that feels disjointed from the stronger source-based second half.

• the Joker's backstory is interleaved with the present-day hunt, reframing him through a tragic lens
• Batman's rigid code is strained when the Joker targets the Gordon family

• Batman: Under the Red Hoodshared dark animated superhero noir, psychological villain focus, adult-oriented DC animation
• Jokershared Joker-centered psychological descent into madness and grim crime tone
• The Dark Knightshared gritty crime-thriller tone around a Batman-Joker confrontation in a comic-book world

Director

Sam Liu

Release Date

2016-07-24

Runtime

77 min

Rating

6.6 / 10 (1995)

What is Batman: The Killing Joke about?

Batman hunts the escaped Joker while the Clown Prince of Crime targets the Gordon family to prove a twisted point about madness.

What is Batman: The Killing Joke like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Batman: The Killing Joke as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.

Is Batman: The Killing Joke violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Batman: The Killing Joke as moderate.

What did critics think of Batman: The Killing Joke?

Critics found this adaptation of the Joker's origin stilted, with an unnecessary Batgirl prologue that feels disjointed from the stronger source-based second half.

Which films are like Batman: The Killing Joke?

Films with a similar feel include Batman: Under the Red Hood, Joker, and The Dark Knight.

How long is Batman: The Killing Joke?

Batman: The Killing Joke runs 77 minutes.

Where can I watch Batman: The Killing Joke?

In United States, Batman: The Killing Joke streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube Free, HBO Max.