In Darkest Twist of All, "Joker" Inspires Tourists and Influencers to Dance Down His Stairs

As Arthur Fleck would say: You get what you deserve.

For weeks leading up to its release, Joker divided us. The reviews were mixed; the interviews with its director were polarising; and the content, we were told, would shock us to our very core, requiring police stationed at cinemas across the United States to pre-empt any terrorist attacks.

But when it finally came out, all anyone wanted to discuss was the bit where Joker danced down some stairs.

@sherlwatson on Twitter kicked it off by pulling out her phone during one of the film’s climactic scenes to capture Joaquin Phoenix, in full Joker garb, doing "the dance of freedom".

Spoilers?

the dance of freedom. the death bells. the rising of the joker.

one of the most magnificent, sublime, monumental, extraordinary scenes in cinema history pic.twitter.com/uczsga2AZQ

— gabriela (@sherlwatson) October 18, 2019

By declaring the scene "one of the most magnificent, sublime, monumental, extraordinary scenes in cinema history", she unwittingly welcomed the onslaught of Film Twitter, with responses that were alternately accurate, dumbfounded or way too cruel.

But clearly, the majority are on @sherlwatson's side, because Joker-loving tourists are now flocking to the setting of the scene; an actual staircase in the Bronx borough of New York City, which has been renamed on Google Maps the "Joker Stairs".

They thought Joker would inspire “mass shootings by incels” and then, is just everyone dancing dressed like Arthur, blue checks keep losing 😂 DC fans, we won 😂 pic.twitter.com/uh4hTYz2J4

— Dick Grayson Shaved Head (@FGGrayson) October 23, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

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#jokerstairs

A post shared by James May (@jamesmayname) on Oct 16, 2019 at 7:30pm PDT

 

 

 

 

 

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Always put a happy face... Joker Stairs #nyc #newyork #city #travel #bronx #nomada #nomad #travelling #travellers #jokerstairs

A post shared by Arnaldo Silva (@imbibing_nomad) on Oct 16, 2019 at 8:19am PDT

 

 

 

 

 

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#jokerstairs

A post shared by Erin Sauer (@sauer.8) on Oct 19, 2019 at 11:47am PDT

 

 

 

 

 

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Why so serious? 🙃

A post shared by jennapolignone (@jennapolignone) on Oct 19, 2019 at 12:09pm PDT

WENT TO THEM JOKER STAIRS 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡 pic.twitter.com/eK109XYWU4

— I'm trying to aliven't (@MetriAndReyes) October 12, 2019

Only one problem: they brought the influencers (and would-be influencers) with them.

"DINNERS READY!"

*Me coming down the stairs after seeing Joker*: pic.twitter.com/fF1CG3gIEe

— Boba Fetty Wap (@The_Green_Blur) October 19, 2019

I found the Joker stairs. Take the 4 train up to 167th Street in the Bronx. Photo: @OneMillicentCho and @cogitatotomato. 🤡 pic.twitter.com/0xrTPM2tG9

— Eliza Romero | Aesthetic Distance (@aesthdistance1) October 18, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

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Put on a happy face 🤡 #Joker #JokerMovie #JokerStairs #JokerDance #ElBronx #MovieLocation #NewYork #NewYorkCity #NYC #TourLife #HavingFun

A post shared by Daniel M. (@ddaannieell_) on Oct 21, 2019 at 7:27am PDT

🃏I used to think my life was a tragedy, but now I realize, it’s a comedy 🃏 I whipped up a female Joker in about 2 days just so I could shoot on the iconic stairs! 💚❤️ This amazing set will be going live soon
Photos by @rongejon #Jokerstairs #Joker #jokermovie pic.twitter.com/qWY6h2AF44

— Veronica Rae (@VeronicaRaex) October 15, 2019

Understandably, locals are peeved.

It’s really called the Joker Stairs on google now (I just searched it).

Please, if you’re reading this and you’re not from around here (or ever been to the Bronx, Yankee stadium does not count) PLEASE DO NOT COME HERE.

Thanks,
Bronx Resident pic.twitter.com/s5u9gVPtyM

— Maybe: Candy (@_cvndy) October 15, 2019

But hey, look at the bright side:

Media: Joker is gonna inspire people to do mass shootings

Reality: People dancing on stairs learning the Joker dance

— Abby Saw Joker x2 (@EzraQuinzel) October 21, 2019

Header Image: Twitter (@VeronicaRaex, @aesthdistance1) & Instagram (sauer.8)