Joker and the top 10 films of Joaquin Phoenix (so far)
By Rachel Roth
One of the greatest actors of his generation, this is a list ranking the 10 best films of the actor Joaquin Phoenix.
In a world where everyone loves a good origin story, Joaquin Phoenix has one that takes the cake. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Phoenix’s parents were members of the infamous religious cult The Children of God and spent many years traveling through South America to spread the group’s message. The family left the COG around 1977, changing their name from Bottom to Phoenix, as a symbol of their rebirth. They were smuggled back into the US on a freighter when Joaquin was just four-years-old, practically living out of their car upon their return.
Acting for the Phoenix children started out as pure survival. While living in South America, Joaquin, along with his two older siblings River and Rain, would perform on street corners for scraps of money. They continued this even after they returned to America.
More from Movies
- The story of a French emperor: Here’s where Napoleon will stream after theaters
- The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes honors its origins and far surpasses them
- Thanksgiving movie death toll: Why [SPOILER] is still alive
- No, Thanksgiving is not streaming yet (But here’s where it’ll land)
- Trolls Band Together soundtrack guide: Which songs play in the movie?
River, being the oldest, was the primary money maker. According to Joaquin, if his brother didn’t come home with enough money the family wouldn’t get to eat that day. They were eventually spotted by a children’s agent in Los Angeles and the rest is history. By the way, I’m not going to discuss the death of River Phoenix because I feel that enough has been said about it. We need to let him rest in peace.
Joaquin Phoenix made his film debut in the made for television movie Kids Don’t Tell at the age of 11, followed by his feature film debut in SpaceCamp in 1986. Since then, he’s proven himself to be a true powerhouse performer. Personally, I feel that Joaquin Phoenix should have all the awards by now. Every performance he gives blows the world away, blows them away like paper bags in a hurricane. The world is just flapping away, landing in the street whenever Phoenix stands in front of the camera.
It’s impossible not to admire Joaquin Phoenix, even if you’re not a fan of his films. He openly discusses his struggles with anxiety and former substance abuse, two details of one’s personal life that other actors often try to keep secret. This makes him a personal hero for me, as someone who also struggles with anxiety and is tired of the way everyone treats it as some sort of character flaw. I will also love Mr. Phoenix for this.
A four-time Academy Award nominee, two-time Golden Globe winner, lifelong vegan (not someone that does it for the sake of trying a trend), and a king among the anti-social, here are the top ten films of actor Joaquin Phoenix.