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Joaquin Phoenix’s remarkable performance inJokeris widely hailed as one of the best portrayals of the iconic DC villain. Portraying Arthur Fleck, the actor presented a new version of the brutal villain, adding a nuanced layer of depth and humanity to him. While the sequel is in the works, fans for long have been comparing his unconventional comic book tale to Natalie Portman’s darkest movie,Black Swan.
While both actors won Oscars for their respective performances, the movies share more similarities than just their lead’s brilliant portrayals. As fans keep digging up somewhat similar scenes, the movies share several thematic parallels despite being essentially different films.
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Joaquin Phoenix’sJokerAnd Natalie Portman’sBlack SwanAre Parallels
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One is a classic psychological thriller, and the other is a comic book-inspired movie with deep psychological elements. BothJoaquin Phoenix’sJokerandNatalie Portman‘sBlack Swanshare several thematic parallels, making them strikingly similar despite being two widely distinct movies.
Both movies have their character’s psychological transformations at the center. Both relatively ordinary individuals descend into complex psychological turmoils, leading to each first struggling and then accepting the darker aspects of their personas.
With the concept of mental health evidently forming the core of the storyline, both movies focus on how their protagonists struggle with severe psychological issues due to societal pressures, personal traumas, and internal conflicts, leading to each grappling with their own identities.
While Portman’s Nina struggles to incorporate the contrasting characters of the Black Swan and the White Swan in her performance, Phoenix’s Fleck struggles with the identity society wants him to adopt, subsequently forming the persona of Joker as a form of rebellion.
Reality and fantasy soon blur into one as each immerses themselves into their respective alter egos, undergoing extreme physical transformations as they slowly descend into the land of insanity. Thus while offering exemplary social commentary and critique of culture,JokerandBlack Swanboth present the disturbing and complex aspects of human nature, despite existing in different cinematic plains.
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Years After Release Fans Continue To CompareJokerAndBlack Swan
Joaquin Phoenix’sJokerand Natalie Portman’sBlack Swanwere released in 2019 and 2010, respectively. But after all these years the intense psychological dramas continue to be compared by fans, partly due to their similar thematic concepts and partly due to the similar scenes they share.
Ain’t far from the truth
— My Capt America’s Black & My Honda’s Blue, 🥷🏽! (@EdwardNoriega15)August 22, 2025
Black Swan was a great film, so was Joker. Both protagonists were antiheroes and nailed their respective roles.
— Arthur Fleck (@AlpArsl70882828)August 09, 2025
Joker is just Black Swan for dudespic.twitter.com/J1QaJ2KWnv
— Mysil (@BroKatanKryze)June 01, 2025
“The worst part of having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you don’t.”
Black Swan (2010)Director: Darren Aronofsky
Joker (2019)Director: Todd Phillipspic.twitter.com/6Qdf9A4vd3
— أ. مُحبّ للجَمال. (@philocaaalist)June 11, 2025
Black Swan Jokerhttps://t.co/3g7W6u9AZ3pic.twitter.com/6NuEw0lQx4
— Unco (cacturne) 🇵🇸 (@Munistamas)June 26, 2025
The countless posts spread across the internet prove that the movies do indeed have a significant number of similar scenes apart from their similar storylines. Of course, despite being similar, there is no doubt that both movies are a treat to watch thanks to the outstanding performances of their respective leads.
Black Swancan be streamed on Disney+, whileJokercan be rented on Amazon Prime.
Maria Sultan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2703
Maria Sultan is a dedicated News Content Writer at FandomWire. With over five years of professional experience and hundreds of published articles, she brings a wealth of expertise to her coverage of Marvel, K-dramas, and the latest on streaming platforms.Her work is not just about reporting news; it’s about providing insightful perspectives on the entertainment trends that matter most.
