In an interview, Phoenix was asked whether he was worried that the film inspires the kind of person it’s about. Collin described as “an unstable, self-pitying loner with a mass-shooter mindset.” “‘Why would you…? No… no.’ Then he stands up, and walks out of the door.” Collin said Phoenix rejoined the interview after “an hour’s peace-brokering with a Warner Bros PR.” He panicked because he hadn’t been asked that question before. It remained unanswered. Nevertheless, Joker has been lauded almost as vehemently as it has been scolded.