Joker (soundtrack)

Joker: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the original soundtrack album to the 2019 film Joker, based on the DC Comics character of the same name, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, and Frances Conroy. The record consists of seventeen tracks from a film score written and composed by Hildur Guðnadóttir which received critical acclaim from the film industry. Hildur's score was released digitally by WaterTower Music on September 27, 2019, with a vinyl edition later released on December 13.

After reading the film's script, Hildur was asked by director Todd Phillips to write some music based on her feelings of the Joker screenplay, which she was inspired to do so as it resonated with her. She sent Phillips a sample of her composition which included melodies that were very simplistic and monotonic as a means of conflating the film's gritty tone with that of protagonist Arthur Fleck. Hildur then attempted to expand - within that simplicity - the orchestration around Phoenix's character without chords or complicated music, but instead with a texture she that felt resonated with the melancholia of the character.

The score for Joker won numerous awards, including the Premio Soundtrack Stars Award at the 76th Venice International Film Festival, a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score, a BAFTA Award for Best Original Music, and an Academy Award for Best Original Score.