An unlikely Instagram hot spot…
The most talked-about film of the year?
Probably. And yet, we’re far from done with Joker.
With the film still dominating cinemas across the globe – the current worldwide box office take is $741,318,680 as of Wednesday – it’s perhaps not too surprising to see it eke its way into the wider zeitgeist.
As you’ll know if you’ve seen the movie – very mild spoilers to follow – Joaquin Phoenix doesn’t quite ‘become’ the iconic green-tinted villain until towards the end.
The transformation moment arrives to the strains of convicted paedophile Gary Glitter’s ‘Rock and Roll Part 2’ – a choice that has, naturally, proved divisive enough – as Phoenix’s suited, booted and make-up clad Arthur Fleck engages in a spot of dancing on some stairs outside his apartment building.
With the film garnering a huge and clearly quite immediately loyal fan base, it was only a matter of time before people sought out the stairs in question for themselves.
And that’s how you wind up with scenes like this:
https://twitter.com/argumentwinner/status/1186402426947100674
Meanwhile, in-depth pilgrimages have been made to the location – the Bronx in New York City if you’re especially interested in doing the same – to see what all the fuss is about.
Vulture points out that the meme-friendly spot has drawn large crowds, with people showing up “in droves” as early as nine in the morning.
The stairs have even received an official designation on Instagram, making it perfect for that all-important location tag.
Not everyone is on board, mind. At least one local resident told Vulture:
“It is disrespectful to treat our community and residents as a photo opportunity.”
So there you have it, folks. A set of stairs is famous now. Do be sound to the locals if you venture there, yeah?
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
