# ‘Joker’ Director Todd Phillips Breaks Down the Opening Scene

Published 2019-10-11 · Updated 2026-06-09 · Education Technology on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/education-technology/joker-director-todd-phillips-breaks-down-the-opening-scene

> The Joker is the No. 1 movie at the box office and a cultural sensation. How did director Todd Phillips nail the opening scene? Unlike some of our other columnists, I spent the money and saw Joker opening weekend. The movie is a twisted descent into insanity that follows Arthur Fleck as life treats him like a dog and he…

##### The *Joker* is the No. 1 movie at the box office and a cultural sensation. How did director Todd Phillips nail the opening scene?

Unlike some of our [other columnists](https://nofilmschool.com/joker-movie-should-you-see-it), I spent the money and saw *Joker* opening weekend.

The movie is a twisted descent into insanity that follows Arthur Fleck as life treats him like a dog and he succumbs to his more animalistic tendencies and learns to laugh — as horror beleaguers the city of Gotham. There are parts I liked, parts I didn’t, but overall I think superhero movies are better for *Joker* existing. I think the door is open for new tones and genres, and at the end of the day that means more jobs for us writers and directors.

One thing I did admire about *Joker* was the direction and cinematography.

Lucky for us, Todd Phillips recently broke down the opening scene and discussed his tactics when it comes to opening a movie. I think it’s a valuable lesson in pacing and tension. So let’s diagram what *Joker* got right.

Read more at [No Film School](https://nofilmschool.com/joker-opening-scene-breakdown)

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