View source for Joaquin Phoenix

{{Short description|American actor (born 1974)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Joaquin Phoenix
| image              = Joaquin Phoenix-64908 (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Phoenix in 2024
| alt                = A headshot of Joaquin Phoenix in 2024
| birth_name         = Joaquin Rafael Bottom
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1974|10|28}}
| birth_place        = [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]
| alias              = Leaf Phoenix
| occupation         = Actor
| years_active       = 1982–present
| spouse             = [[Rooney Mara]]
| children           = 2
| mother             = [[Arlyn Phoenix]]
| relatives          = {{ubl|[[River Phoenix]] (brother)|[[Rain Phoenix]] (sister)|[[Liberty Phoenix]] (sister)|[[Summer Phoenix]] (sister)|[[Kate Mara]]  (sister-in-law) |[[Jamie Bell]] (brother-in-law)}}
| works              = [[Joaquin Phoenix filmography|Filmography]]
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Joaquin Phoenix|Full list]]
}}

'''Joaquin Rafael Phoenix'''{{efn|In his childhood, he went by '''Leaf Rafael Phoenix'''. At age fifteen, he changed back to his given name "Joaquin Rafael Phoenix".<ref name="aleka_phoeni53">{{cite web |url=http://www.aleka.org/phoenix/zines/phoeni53.html |title=PREMIERE | date=April 1988 |website=Aleka.org |access-date=August 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712150810/http://www.aleka.org/phoenix/zines/phoeni53.html |archive-date=July 12, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="hellomagazine.com">{{cite magazine| url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/joaquin-phoenix/| title=Joaquin Phoenix| magazine=[[Hello! (magazine)|Hello!]]| access-date=June 17, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404143516/https://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/joaquin-phoenix/| archive-date=April 4, 2019| url-status=live}}</ref>}} ({{IPAc-en|hw|ɑː|ˈ|k|iː|n|audio=en-us-Joaquin.oga}} {{respell|whah|KEEN}}; {{ne|<!--Only his surname was changed. -->'''Bottom'''}}; born October 28, 1974) is an American actor. Widely described as one of the preeminent actors of his generation{{efn|1=Attributed to multiple sources.<ref name="Ellis2">{{cite web |last=Ellis |first=Bret Easton |authorlink=Bret Easton Ellis |date=September 6, 2017 |title=The Weird Brilliance of Joaquin Phoenix |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/06/t-magazine/joaquin-phoenix.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829075814/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/06/t-magazine/joaquin-phoenix.html |archive-date=August 29, 2021 |access-date=May 19, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="Lodge2">{{cite web |last=Lodge |first=Guy |date=July 11, 2018 |title=Is Joaquin Phoenix set to be the greatest actor of his generation? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jul/11/joaquin-phoenix-best-roles-film |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818144422/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jul/11/joaquin-phoenix-best-roles-film |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |access-date=May 28, 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref name="Chang2">{{cite web |last=Chang |first=Justin |date=February 9, 2020 |title=Yes, Joaquin Phoenix deserved his best actor Oscar{{mdash}} but not for 'Joker' alone |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-02-09/joaquin-phoenix-wins-oscar-best-actor-joker |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626095701/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-02-09/joaquin-phoenix-wins-oscar-best-actor-joker |archive-date=June 26, 2021 |access-date=May 28, 2021 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref name="NYT25GA22">{{cite news |date=November 25, 2020 |title=The 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century (So Far) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/movies/greatest-actors-actresses.html#joaquin-phoenix |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201234221/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/movies/greatest-actors-actresses.html#joaquin-phoenix |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |newspaper=The New York Times |author1-first=Manhola |author1-last=Dargis |author2-first=A.O. |author2-last=Scott}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=Empire's 50 Greatest Actors Of All Time List, Revealed |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-actors/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Empire |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Macnab">{{Cite news |last=Macnab |first=Geoffrey |title=No joke, Joaquin Phoenix might be our greatest living actor |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/joaquin-phoenix-napoleon-joker-b2444476.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240809215313/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/joaquin-phoenix-napoleon-joker-b2444476.html |archive-date=2024-08-09 |access-date=2025-05-19 |newspaper=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref name="Campbell">{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Scott |date=2024-08-24 |title=Joaquin Phoenix's embarrassment at being a great actor |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/joaquin-phoenixs-embarrassment-at-being-compared-to-the-greats/ |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=faroutmagazine.co.uk}}</ref>}} and known for [[Joaquin Phoenix filmography|his roles]] as dark, unconventional and eccentric characters in [[independent film]],<!-- this is referenced in acting style and public image.--> he has received [[List of awards and nominations received by Joaquin Phoenix|various accolades]], including an [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]], a [[British Academy Film Awards]], a [[Screen Actors Guild Awards|Screen Actors Guild Award]], a [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]], a [[Volpi Cup for Best Actor|Volpi Cup]] and two [[Golden Globe Awards]].

Phoenix began his career by appearing in television series in the early 1980s with his brother [[River Phoenix|River]]. His first major film roles were in ''[[SpaceCamp]]'' (1986) and ''[[Parenthood (film)|Parenthood]]'' (1989). During this period, he was credited as Leaf Phoenix, a name he gave himself. He took back his birth name in the early 1990s and received critical acclaim for his supporting roles in the comedy-drama ''[[To Die For]]'' (1995) and the period film ''[[Quills (film)|Quills]]'' (2000). Phoenix received further critical acclaim and a nomination for the [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]] for his portrayal of [[Commodus]] in the historical drama ''[[Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]]'' (2000). He had success with the horror films ''[[Signs (2002 film)|Signs]]'' (2002) and ''[[The Village (2004 film)|The Village]]'' (2004), the historical drama ''[[Hotel Rwanda]]'' (2004), and won a [[Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media|Grammy Award]], a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy|Golden Globe Award]], and a nomination for the [[Academy Award for Best Actor]] for his portrayal of musician [[Johnny Cash]] in the biopic ''[[Walk the Line]]'' (2005).

Following a brief sabbatical, Phoenix starred in the psychological drama ''[[The Master (2012 film)|The Master]]'' (2012), winning the [[Volpi Cup for Best Actor]] and earning his third Academy Award nomination. He gained praise for his roles in the romantic drama ''[[Her (2013 film)|Her]]'' (2013) and the crime satire ''[[Inherent Vice (film)|Inherent Vice]]'' (2014), and won the [[Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor]] for the psychological thriller ''[[You Were Never Really Here]]'' (2017). For his performance as the [[Joker (character)|titular character]] of ''[[Joker (2019 film)|Joker]]'' (2019), Phoenix won the Academy Award for Best Actor. He reprised his role in the [[Joker: Folie à Deux|2024 sequel]]. He has since starred in the independent films ''[[C'mon C'mon (film)|C'mon C'mon]]'' (2021), ''[[Beau Is Afraid]]'' (2023) and [[Eddington (film)|''Eddington'']] (2025), and portrayed the [[Napoleon|title role]] in the historical drama ''[[Napoleon (2023 film)|Napoleon]]'' (2023).

Outside acting, Phoenix is an [[animal rights]] activist. A [[Veganism|vegan]], he regularly supports charitable causes and has produced several documentaries on global meat consumption and its impact on the environment.

==Early life==
Phoenix was born at the Hospital Metropolitano San Francisco in the [[Río Piedras]] district of [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]],<ref name=GR2002 >{{cite book| year=2002 |title=Contemporary Theatre, Film, and Television |chapter=Joaquin Phoenix| publisher=Gale Research| isbn=978-1-4144-4513-7| page=213| chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/contemporarythea0043unse/page/212/mode/2up| chapter-url-access=registration}}</ref> to John Lee Bottom, the founder of a landscape gardening company, and [[Arlyn Phoenix|Arlyn "Heart" Bottom]] (née Dunetz), an executive secretary at [[NBC]] and whose connection to an agent provided her children with acting work.<ref name="Hagan">{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/10/joaquin-phoenix-cover-story|title="I Fucking Love My Life": Joaquin Phoenix on Joker, Why River Is His Rosebud, His Rooney Research, and His "Prenatal" Gift for Dark Characters|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|first=Joe|last=Hagan|date=October 1, 2019|access-date=May 13, 2021|archive-date=October 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009041923/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/10/joaquin-phoenix-cover-story|url-status=live}}</ref> Joaquin is the third of five children, following [[River Phoenix|River]] (1970–1993) and [[Rain Phoenix|Rain]] (born 1972), and preceding [[Liberty Phoenix|Liberty]] (born 1976) and [[Summer Phoenix|Summer]] (born 1978), all of whom have been involved in acting. He also has a paternal half-sister, Jodean (born 1964).<ref name="Google Books">{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=icv_AQAAQBAJ&q=jodean+bottom+joaquin&pg=PT6| title=He's Still Here: The Biography of Joaquin Phoenix| access-date=June 17, 2017| isbn=978-1-8435-8430-8| last1=Howden| first1=Martin| date=January 10, 2011| publisher=John Blake| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124074736/https://books.google.com/books?id=icv_AQAAQBAJ&pg=PT6&lpg=PT6#v=onepage&q=jodean%20bottom%20joaquin| archive-date=January 24, 2020| url-status=live}}</ref> His father was a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] from [[Fontana, California]], and was of English, German and French ancestry.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://hungarytoday.hu/hungarian-roots-joaquin-phoenix-grammy-golden-globe-winning-us-actor-70022/| title=Hungarian Roots: Joaquin Phoenix, Grammy And Golden Globe-Winning US Actor| last=Sullivan| first=Ferenc| date=March 25, 2016| work=Hungary Today| access-date=June 18, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605155746/https://hungarytoday.hu/hungarian-roots-joaquin-phoenix-grammy-golden-globe-winning-us-actor-70022/| archive-date=June 5, 2019| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite news|url=https://www.amctheatres.com/movies/don-t-worry-he-won-t-get-far-on-foot-55805| title=Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot| website=[[AMC Theatres]]| access-date=June 18, 2018| quote=...his father, from California, is of mostly British Isles descent.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222132643/https://www.amctheatres.com/movies/don-t-worry-he-won-t-get-far-on-foot-55805|archive-date=December 22, 2019|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite news| url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/joaquin-phoenix-on-how-playing-heart-wrenching-jesus-in-mary-magdalene-inspires-him-to-be-more-empathetic-considerate-and-forgivingexecute1/126517.htm| title=Joaquin Phoenix on how playing 'heart-wrenching' Jesus in 'Mary Magdalene' inspires him to be 'more empathetic, considerate and forgiving'| last=Macintyre| first=James| date=February 27, 2018| work=[[Christian Today]]| access-date=May 26, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127093753/https://christiantoday.com/article/joaquin-phoenix-on-how-playing-heart-wrenching-jesus-in-mary-magdalene-inspires-him-to-be-more-empathetic-considerate-and-forgivingexecute1/126517.htm| archive-date=January 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> His maternal grandfather, Meyer Dunetz, was [[History of the Jews in Russia|Russian Jewish]] and his maternal grandmother, Margit Lefkowitz, was [[History of the Jews in Hungary|Hungarian Jewish]]; they were both [[Ashkenazi Jews]] who resided in New York City.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.jpost.com/LifeStyle/Top-10-Hollywood-Jews-you-may-not-have-guessed-327064| title=Top 10 Hollywood: Jews you may not have guessed| last=Marrache| first=Yaakov| date=September 25, 2013| newspaper=[[The Jerusalem Post]]| access-date=May 26, 2018| archive-date=February 17, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217065938/http://www.jpost.com/LifeStyle/Top-10-Hollywood-Jews-you-may-not-have-guessed-327064| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web| first=Naomi| last=Pfefferman| url=http://jewishjournal.com/culture/arts/5788/| title=The Days of Summer| newspaper=[[The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles]]| date=April 11, 2002| access-date=April 29, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330094455/http://www.jewishjournal.com/arts/article/the_days_of_summer_20020412| archive-date=March 30, 2016| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite news| first=Lena| last=Corner| url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/09/rain-phoenix-river-joaquin-family| title=Rain Phoenix's unusual childhood| newspaper=[[The Guardian]]| location=London| date=July 9, 2011| access-date=April 29, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725112831/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/09/rain-phoenix-river-joaquin-family| archive-date=July 25, 2019| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite news| url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/walk-the-line-star-wont-campaign-for-oscar| title='Walk the Line' Star Won't Campaign for Oscar| last=Friedman| first=Roger| date=October 24, 2005| work=Fox News| access-date=May 26, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616130217/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2005/10/24/walk-line-star-wont-campaign-for-oscar.html| archive-date=June 16, 2018| url-status=live}}</ref> Phoenix's parents met when his mother was hitchhiking in California; they married less than a year after meeting.<ref>{{cite news| first=Lena| last=Corner| url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/09/rain-phoenix-river-joaquin-family| title=Rain Phoenix's unusual childhood| newspaper=[[The Guardian]]| location=London| date=July 9, 2011| access-date=April 29, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725112831/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/09/rain-phoenix-river-joaquin-family| archive-date=July 25, 2019| url-status=live}}</ref>

Soon after their second child was born, they joined the religious cult [[Family International|Children of God]] and travelled throughout the [[Caribbean]] and [[South America]] as missionaries, where the next two children were born. They eventually became disillusioned with the group and left in 1977, being opposed to the cult's increasingly questionable rules, particularly the practice of [[Flirty Fishing|flirty fishing]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The book 'Last Night at the Viper Room' tells of River Phoenix's life before it was cut short at 22|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/new-book-gavin-edwards-tells-river-phoenix-troubled-life-article-1.1477425|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=October 5, 2013|access-date=December 11, 2014|archive-date=February 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205010813/https://www.tribpub.com/gdpr/nydailynews.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> The fifth child was born in Florida where the family settled; around this time they legally adopted the surname Phoenix, inspired by the [[Phoenix (mythology)|mythical bird]] that rises from its own ashes, symbolizing a new beginning.<ref name="aleka_phoeni53"/> When Joaquin was three, he and his older siblings witnessed fish being stunned as "they were throwing them against the side of the boat", prompting the whole family to convert to a [[veganism|vegan]] lifestyle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mercyforanimals.org/blog/heres-what-inspired-joaquin-phoenix-to-go/|title=Here's What Inspired Joaquin Phoenix to Go Vegan 40 Years Ago|work=[[Mercy for Animals]]|first=Joe|last=Loria|date=April 23, 2018|access-date=May 17, 2021|archive-date=January 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131063826/https://mercyforanimals.org/blog/heres-what-inspired-joaquin-phoenix-to-go/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Career==
===1980–1993: Early work and family tragedy===
In 1979, when Phoenix's father had to stop working because of an old spinal injury, the family moved to Los Angeles where the mother met a high-profile child agent named [[Iris Burton]], who got the children into commercials and bit parts on TV.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-apr-10-me-burton10-story.html| title=Iris Burton, 77; Hollywood agent represented child actors| newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]| date=April 10, 2008| access-date=June 17, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217112123/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/apr/10/local/me-burton10| archive-date=February 17, 2017| url-status=live}}</ref> Phoenix made his acting debut alongside his brother in the television series ''[[Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (TV series)|Seven Brides for Seven Brothers]]'' in the 1982 episode "Christmas Song".<ref name="DigitalSpy">{{cite web| last1=Reynolds| first1=Simon| title=When he was Leaf: The early roles of Joaquin Phoenix| url=http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/feature/a624780/when-he-was-leaf-the-early-roles-of-joaquin-phoenix/| website=[[Digital Spy]]| access-date=March 8, 2018| date=January 28, 2015| archive-date=August 18, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818155420/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a624780/when-he-was-leaf-the-early-roles-of-joaquin-phoenix/| url-status=live}}</ref> He has said of his first acting experience:{{blockquote|Instantaneous joy. The most enjoyable thing. For some kids, it's the first time they crack a ball or score a goal. For me, it was this. I was eight years old, and I remember the first scene on the TV set so vividly. And I knew that I loved it – the physical sensation; how powerful it was. That's the feeling I've been chasing ever since.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/mar/08/joaquin-phoenix-there-was-a-period-when-i-wanted-out-i-wanted-my-life-back|title=Joaquin Phoenix:There was a period when I wanted out. I wanted my life back|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Xan|last=Brooks|date=March 8, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=January 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131091356/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/mar/08/joaquin-phoenix-there-was-a-period-when-i-wanted-out-i-wanted-my-life-back|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
In 1984, Phoenix starred opposite his brother River in the ''[[ABC Afterschool Special]]'' entitled ''[[Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia]]'', for which they shared a nomination for Best Young Actor in a Family Film Made for Television at the [[6th Youth in Film Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms6.htm |title=6th Youth In Film Awards |access-date=March 31, 2011 |work=YoungArtistAwards.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506135203/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms6.htm |archive-date=May 6, 2016 }}</ref> He also made guest appearances in the ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'' episode "We're Off to Kill the Wizard", and individual episodes of ''[[The Fall Guy]]'' and ''[[Hill Street Blues]]''.<ref>{{cite news| last1=Hirschberg| first1=Lynn| title=My Name Is Joaquin, and I Am an Actor| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/18/style/tmagazine/my-name-is-joaquin-and-i-am-an-actor.html| newspaper=The New York Times| access-date=March 8, 2018| date=September 18, 2005| archive-date=March 9, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054413/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/18/style/tmagazine/my-name-is-joaquin-and-i-am-an-actor.html| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Biography.com">{{cite web| title=Joaquin Phoenix Biography| url=https://www.biography.com/people/joaquin-phoenix-358254| website=[[Biography (TV program)|Biography]]| access-date=March 8, 2018| date=May 30, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315052041/https://www.biography.com/people/joaquin-phoenix-358254| archive-date=March 15, 2018| url-status=live}}</ref> A year later, he appeared in the television film ''[[Kids Don't Tell]]''. To supplement their income, the kids sang their original songs like "Gonna Make It", written by River, and busked for money in matching yellow shirts and shorts. They also studied dance; Phoenix became an avid [[Breakdancing|breakdancer]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/feb/15/features.magazine| title=Summer Phoenix: Coping with Hollywood| access-date=June 21, 2018| date=February 15, 2004| last=Vernon| first=Polly| newspaper=The Guardian| location=London| quote=Summer Phoenix: "We had no money. All we had was each other. It's all you need."| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020121443/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/feb/15/features.magazine| archive-date=October 20, 2019| url-status=live}}</ref> He dropped out of high school when he was sent a dead frog in the mail to dissect for his biology studies. Dissatisfied with life in Los Angeles, the Phoenixes moved back to Florida, settling in [[Gainesville, Florida|Gainesville]].<ref name="Hagan"/>

Phoenix made his feature film debut in the adventure film ''[[SpaceCamp]]'' (1986) as a young boy who goes to [[Kennedy Space Center]] to learn about the [[NASA]] space program and undergoes amateur [[astronaut]] training.<ref name="DigitalSpy" /> He guest-starred in the anthology series ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' episode "A Very Happy Ending" that year, playing a child who blackmails a hitman into killing his father.<ref name="ScreenCrush">{{cite web| last1=Hayes| first1=Britt| title=Way Back When: Oscar Nominee Joaquin Phoenix| url=https://screencrush.com/way-back-when-joaquin-phoenix/| website=[[ScreenCrush]]| access-date=March 8, 2018| date=January 28, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054658/http://screencrush.com/way-back-when-joaquin-phoenix/| archive-date=March 9, 2018| url-status=live}}</ref> Phoenix's first starring role was in the film ''[[Russkies]]'' (1987), about a group of friends who unknowingly befriend a Russian soldier during the [[Cold War]].<ref name="ScreenCrush" />

In 1989, Phoenix co-starred as Garry, the withdrawn teenage nephew of [[Steve Martin]]'s character in [[Ron Howard]]'s comedy-drama ''[[Parenthood (film)|Parenthood]]''.<ref>{{cite web| last1=Lee Friday| first1=Wednesday| title=Where Are They Now? The Cast of Parenthood| url=https://screenrant.com/then-and-now-parenthood-cast-where-are-they-now/| website=[[Screen Rant]]| access-date=March 8, 2018| date=July 9, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054241/https://screenrant.com/then-and-now-parenthood-cast-where-are-they-now/| archive-date=March 9, 2018| url-status=live}}</ref> It was a box office success, grossing {{USD|126 million|long=no}} worldwide against its {{USD|20 million|long=no}} budget.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=parenthood.htm |title=''Parenthood'' (1989) |work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |date=March 5, 2007 |access-date=January 7, 2010 |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104143758/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2221508097/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Critics praised the film, with ''[[IndieWire]]'' reviewers highlighting the film's cast and their performances for possessing "genuinely likable, and occasionally insightful, heart" calling Phoenix a "terrifically believable angsty adolescent", in a performance that garnered him a nomination for the [[Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms11.htm |title=11th Annual Youth In Film Awards |access-date=March 31, 2011 |work=YoungArtistAwards.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409024401/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms11.htm |archive-date=April 9, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2013/09/the-assessment-ron-howards-directorial-career-in-8-movies-93216/|title=The Assessment: Ron Howard's Directorial Career In 8 Movies|work=[[IndieWire]]|date=September 26, 2013|access-date=May 17, 2021|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204202716/https://www.indiewire.com/2013/09/the-assessment-ron-howards-directorial-career-in-8-movies-93216/|url-status=live}}</ref> The role of Garry was reprised in the [[Parenthood (1990 TV series)|series based on the film]] by [[Leonardo DiCaprio]], who studied Phoenix's performance "to get it right".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wight |first1=Douglas |title=Leonardo DiCaprio – The Biography |year=2012 |publisher=John Blake Publishing Ltd. |isbn=978-1-78219-859-8 |page=322}}</ref> After establishing himself as a child actor, Phoenix felt he was not getting any appealing offers; he decided to take a break from acting and traveled to Mexico with his father, learning Spanish.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/oct/22/comment| title=River's younger brother| newspaper=[[The Guardian]]| location=London| first=Mark| last=Morris| date=October 22, 2000| access-date=June 17, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805221927/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/oct/22/comment| archive-date=August 5, 2017| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/10/joaquin-phoenix-cover-story|title="I Fucking Love My Life": Joaquin Phoenix on Joker, Why River Is His Rosebud, His Rooney Research, and His "Prenatal" Gift for Dark Characters|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|first=Joe|last=Hagan|date=October 1, 2019|access-date=May 13, 2021|archive-date=October 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009041923/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/10/joaquin-phoenix-cover-story|url-status=live}}</ref> When he returned to the States, his brother River suggested that Phoenix change his name back to Joaquin and encouraged him to start acting again.<ref name="Hagan"/>

[[File:River Phoenix.png|thumb|upright|Phoenix's older brother [[River Phoenix]], who died in 1993, convinced Phoenix to return to acting.<ref name="Hagan"/>]]

On October 31, 1993, River died of a drug overdose outside [[The Viper Room]] in [[West Hollywood]]. Phoenix, who had accompanied his brother and older sister [[Rain Phoenix|Rain]] to the club, called 911 to seek help for his dying brother. After the death, the phone call was repeatedly broadcast on TV and radio shows. The family retreated to [[Costa Rica]] to escape the media glare as the event came to be depicted as a cautionary tale of young Hollywood surrounded by mythology and conspiracy.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/oct/29/joaquin-phoenix-quits-acting| title=Two-time Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix quits acting| newspaper=The Guardian| location=London| first=Ben| last=Child| date=October 29, 2009| access-date=June 17, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821083932/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/oct/29/joaquin-phoenix-quits-acting| archive-date=August 21, 2017| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/10/joaquin-phoenix-cover-story|title="I Fucking Love My Life": Joaquin Phoenix on Joker, Why River Is His Rosebud, His Rooney Research, and His "Prenatal" Gift for Dark Characters|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|first=Joe|last=Hagan|date=October 1, 2019|access-date=May 13, 2021|archive-date=October 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009041923/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/10/joaquin-phoenix-cover-story|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1994–1999: Return to acting===
Phoenix returned to acting in [[Gus Van Sant]]'s 1995 black comedy ''[[To Die For]]'', based on the novel of the same name by [[Joyce Maynard]], which in turn was inspired by the [[Pamela Smart#Murder of Gregg Smart|Pamela Smart murder case]]. Phoenix starred as Jimmy Emmett, a disturbed young man who is seduced by a woman ([[Nicole Kidman]]) to commit murder. The film premiered at the [[1995 Cannes Film Festival]] and became a financial and critical success, with ''[[New York Times]]'' critic [[Janet Maslin]] praising Phoenix's performance, writing "So pity poor Jimmy. Rivetingly played by Mr Phoenix with a raw, anguished expressiveness that makes him an actor to watch for, Jimmy is both tempted and terrified by Suzanne's slick amorality. In that, he speaks for us all."<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=990CEFDC103BF934A1575AC0A963958260| title=To Die For (1995) FILM REVIEW; She Trusts in TV's Redeeming Power| last=Maslin| first=Janet| date=September 27, 1995| newspaper=The New York Times| access-date=March 21, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403040407/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=990CEFDC103BF934A1575AC0A963958260| archive-date=April 3, 2015| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite news| url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/3361/year/1995.html| title=Festival de Cannes: To Die For| newspaper=Festival de Cannes| access-date=September 8, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822191002/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/3361/year/1995.html| archive-date=August 22, 2011| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=todiefor.htm| title=To Die For(1995)| website=[[Box Office Mojo]]| access-date=May 1, 2015| archive-date=May 16, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516051732/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3228861953/weekend/| url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1997, Phoenix played a small-town troublemaker in [[Oliver Stone]]'s ''[[U Turn (1997 film)|U Turn]]'', and a poor man in love with a rich woman in ''[[Inventing the Abbotts]]''. The films were received with mostly mixed and negative reviews, respectively, and neither performed well at the box office.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19971003%2FREVIEWS%2F710030303%2F1023| title=U-Turn| newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]| date=October 3, 1997| access-date=December 7, 2010| first=Roger| last=Ebert| author-link=Roger Ebert| archive-date=February 7, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207234448/https://www.rogerebert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19971003%2FREVIEWS%2F710030303%2F1023| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/inventing-the-abbotts-1997| title=Inventing The Abbotts| last=Ebert| first=Roger| date=April 4, 1997| newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313190542/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/inventing-the-abbotts-1997| archive-date=March 13, 2015| url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, Phoenix starred in ''[[Clay Pigeons]]'' as a young man in a small town who befriends a serial killer. The film was released to a dismal box office performance, but it was well received by critics.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/clay_pigeons/| title=Clay Pigeons (1998)| website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]| date=September 15, 1998| access-date=May 1, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425012137/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/clay_pigeons/| archive-date=April 25, 2015| url-status=live}}</ref> In his next film, ''[[8mm (film)|8mm]]'' (1999), Phoenix co-starred as an adult video store employee who helps Tom Welles ([[Nicolas Cage]]) investigate the underworld of illegal pornography. The film turned out to be a box office success, grossing {{USD|96 million|long=no}} worldwide, but found few admirers among critics.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=8mm.htm| title=8MM| website=Box Office Mojo| access-date=May 1, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326170159/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=8mm.htm| archive-date=March 26, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2000–2010: Critical acclaim and commercial success===
[[File:Joaquin Cannes 20002 cropped.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Phoenix attending an event for ''[[The Yards]]'' at the [[2000 Cannes Film Festival]]]]

In 2000, Phoenix co-starred in three films. In the first of these, he portrayed a fictionalized version of [[Roman Empire|Roman Emperor]] [[Commodus (Gladiator)|Commodus]] in [[Ridley Scott]]'s historical epic film ''[[Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]]''. The film received positive reviews and grossed {{USD|457 million|long=no}} worldwide, making it the [[2000 in film#Highest-grossing films|second highest-grossing film of 2000]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gladiator.htm| title=Gladiator| website=Box Office Mojo| access-date=February 27, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307073219/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gladiator.htm| archive-date=March 7, 2009| url-status=live}}</ref> Chris Nashawaty of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' called Phoenix's work "a more nuanced star-making performance" when comparing him to the lead [[Russell Crowe]], writing "Phoenix turns what could have easily been a cartoonish villain into a richly layered study of pathology."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2000/12/22/joaquin-phoenixs-role-gladiator/|title=Joaquin Phoenix's role in ''Gladiator''|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|first=Chris|last=Nashawaty|date=December 22, 2000|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-date=January 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131083050/https://ew.com/article/2000/12/22/joaquin-phoenixs-role-gladiator/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Phoenix earned his first nominations for an [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Academy Award]], a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture|Golden Globe Award]] and a [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role|BAFTA Award]] in the Best Supporting Actor category.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 25, 2001|title=The 73rd Academy Awards|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2001|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501233317/http://oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2001|archive-date=May 1, 2018|access-date=June 21, 2015|publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences}}<br />{{cite web |title=Winners & Nominees 2001 |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/2001?page=1 |publisher=Hollywood Foreign Press Association |access-date=June 21, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191207210741/https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/2001%3Fpage%3D1 |archive-date = December 7, 2019 |url-status = live}}<br />{{cite web |title=Film in 2001 |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2001/film |publisher=British Academy of Film and Television Arts |access-date=June 21, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150123034657/http://awards.bafta.org/award/2001/film |archive-date = January 23, 2015 |url-status = live}}</ref> He and his late brother River became the first brothers to be nominated for acting [[Academy Awards]]. To this date, they are the only brothers to hold this distinction.<ref name="OSCAR FIRSTS AND OTHER TRIVIA">{{cite web| url=http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/Help/Statistics?file=Gen-Trivia.pdf| title=Oscar Firsts And Other Trivia| website=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]]| access-date=May 10, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903031146/http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/Help/Statistics?file=Gen-Trivia.pdf| archive-date=September 3, 2017| url-status=live}}</ref>

His next film marked his first collaboration with director [[James Gray (director)|James Gray]] in ''[[The Yards]]''. The crime film follows the corruption in the rail yards of [[Queens]]. Although failing to perform well at the box office,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=yardsthe.htm| title=The Yards| access-date=March 22, 2015| website=Box Office Mojo| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406191528/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=yardsthe.htm| archive-date=April 6, 2015| url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Yards'' received positive reviews from critics with many considering Phoenix's performance as the villain a stand out.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/yards-review/|title=The Yards Review|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|first=William|last=Thomas|date=November 10, 2000|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228191127/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/yards-review/|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/the-yards-1200462109/|title=The Yards|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Todd|last=McCarthy|date=May 22, 2000|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228203611/https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/the-yards-1200462109/|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-yards-249826/|title=The Yards|first=Peter|last=Travers|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=October 20, 2000|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-date=January 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131032440/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/yards-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> The third release of 2000 was [[Philip Kaufman]]'s ''[[Quills (film)|Quills]]'', a satirical thriller inspired by the life and work of the [[Marquis de Sade]]. Phoenix portrayed the conflicted priest [[Abbé de Coulmier]] opposite [[Kate Winslet]]. The film [[Film premiere|premiered]] at the [[Telluride Film Festival]] and was a modest art house success grossing a total of {{USD|17 million|long=no}} at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=quills.htm |website=Box Office Mojo |title=Quills |access-date=March 18, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070409151827/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=quills.htm |archive-date=April 9, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was received with critical praise with [[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' praising Phoenix and his chemistry with Winslet, stating "Phoenix, on a roll this year with Gladiator and The Yards, excels at making the priest a seductive figure—a neat trick considering the real Abbe was a four-foot hunchback. Winslet and Phoenix generate real fire, notably when Abbe dreams of ravishing Madeleine on the altar."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/quills-247978/|title=Quills|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|first=Peter|last=Travers|date=December 15, 2000|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-date=January 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131055037/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/quills-247978/|url-status=live}}</ref> For his combined roles of that year, Phoenix was awarded the [[Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor]] and the [[National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.screendaily.com/quills-named-best-film-by-national-board-of-review/404442.article| title=Quills named best film by National Board of Review| last=Goodridge| first=Mike| website=[[Screen International]]| date=December 7, 2000| access-date=December 8, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028205148/http://www.screendaily.com/quills-named-best-film-by-national-board-of-review/404442.article| archive-date=October 28, 2014| url-status=live}}<br />{{Cite web|title=Broadcast Critics Eat Crowe|url=https://www.eonline.com/uk/news/40898/broadcast-critics-eat-crowe|last=Armstrong|first=Mark|date=December 19, 2000|website=|publisher=E!|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506155644/https://www.eonline.com/uk/news/40898/broadcast-critics-eat-crowe|archive-date=May 6, 2020|access-date=May 6, 2020}}</ref>

The following year, Phoenix starred in the satirical film ''[[Buffalo Soldiers (2001 film)|Buffalo Soldiers]]'' as a [[U.S. Army]] soldier. The world premiere was held at the 2001 [[Toronto International Film Festival]] in early September. However, because the film was a satire of the [[Military of the United States|US military]], its wider theatrical run was delayed by approximately two years because of the [[September 11 attacks]]; it was finally released on July 25, 2003.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news| first=A.O.| last=Scott| author-link=A. O. Scott| url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B00E0DB123FF936A15754C0A9659C8B63| title=Buffalo Soldiers (2001) FILM REVIEW; A Portrait of the Army, but Few Heroes in Sight| newspaper=The New York Times| date=July 25, 2003| access-date=February 19, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306220017/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B00E0DB123FF936A15754C0A9659C8B63| archive-date=March 6, 2016| url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[BBC]]''<nowiki/>'s Nev Pierce wrote that "Phoenix is excellent as a Gen X Sergeant Bilko, ensuring his cheerfully amoral character never loses heart—showcasing tenderness, love, grief and fear as his games get out of control"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2003/06/25/buffalo_soldiers_2003_review.shtml|title=Buffalo Soldiers (2003)|work=[[BBC]]|first=Nev|last=Pierce|date=July 16, 2003|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-date=February 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207220549/https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2003/06/25/buffalo_soldiers_2003_review.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> and Phoenix received a nomination for the [[British Independent Film Award for Best Actor]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.screendaily.com/dirty-pretty-things-leads-bifa-nominations/4015163.article| title=Dirty Pretty Things leads BIFA nominations| last=Dams| first=Tim| website=Screen International| date=September 23, 2003| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402090006/http://www.screendaily.com/dirty-pretty-things-leads-bifa-nominations/4015163.article| archive-date=April 2, 2015| url-status=live}}</ref>

The science fiction [[Thriller film|thriller]] ''[[Signs (2002 film)|Signs]]'' (2002) marked Phoenix's first collaboration with director [[M. Night Shyamalan]]. In the film, he played Merrill Hess, a former [[Minor League Baseball|Minor League baseball]] player who, along with his older brother Graham ([[Mel Gibson]]), discovers that Earth has been invaded by [[extraterrestrials in fiction|extraterrestrials]]. The film received mixed reviews from critics, but Phoenix's performance was praised, with critic Peter Travers writing that Phoenix "registers impressively, finding the humor and the pain in this lost boy [...] never making a false move as a helpless Merrill watches his rock of a brother crumble into a despairing crisis of faith."<ref>{{cite magazine| first=Peter| last=Travers| author-link=Peter Travers| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/signs-20020802| title=Signs| magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]| date=August 2, 2002| access-date=May 1, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018200043/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/signs-20020802| archive-date=October 18, 2011| url-status=live}}</ref> The film was a commercial success, grossing {{USD|408.2 million|long=no}} worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=signs.htm|title=Signs|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=March 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416025648/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=signs.htm|archive-date=April 16, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2003, Phoenix played the irresolute husband of a superstar-skater ([[Claire Danes]]) in [[Thomas Vinterberg]]'s romance-drama ''[[It's All About Love]]'',<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/29/movies/29all.html| title=The Limits of Realism and of Absurdity| last=Dargis| first=Manohla| newspaper=The New York Times| date=October 29, 2004| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528071015/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/29/movies/29all.html| archive-date=May 28, 2015| url-status=live}}</ref> and voiced Kenai in the [[Disney]] animated film ''[[Brother Bear]]''. Phoenix expressed immense joy being cast as the lead voice role in a Disney animated feature, stating "The real pinnacle [in my career] is that I'm playing an animated character in a Disney film. Isn't that the greatest?"<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Isaak-Surfing-the-Ironic-For-Phoenix-life-s-a-2943134.php |title=Isaak Surfing the Ironic / For Phoenix, life's a bear |last=Smith |first=Liz |work=[[Newsday]] |publisher=[[San Francisco Gate]] |date=March 13, 2001 |access-date=July 6, 2015 |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207192236/https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Isaak-Surfing-the-Ironic-For-Phoenix-life-s-a-2943134.php |url-status=live }}</ref> The film grossed {{USD|250.4 million|long=no}} worldwide,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=brotherbear.htm| title=Brother Bear| website=Box Office Mojo| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924063145/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=brotherbear.htm| archive-date=September 24, 2015| url-status=live}}</ref> and was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Animated Feature]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3433895.stm| title=Oscars 2004:The winners| work=[[BBC News]]| access-date=March 22, 2015| date=March 1, 2004| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303111329/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3433895.stm| archive-date=March 3, 2011| url-status=live}}</ref> He was replaced by [[Patrick Dempsey]] in the sequel ''[[Brother Bear 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Brother-Bear/Kenai/| website=Behind the Voice Actors| title=Voice of Kenai| access-date=May 22, 2016| archive-date=February 7, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207195216/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Brother-Bear/Kenai/| url-status=live}}</ref> Phoenix reunited with Shyamalan in the period thriller ''[[The Village (2004 film)|The Village]]'' (2004). The film is about a village whose population lives in fear of creatures inhabiting the woods beyond it, referred to as "Those We Don't Speak Of". He played farmer Lucius Hunt, a role which [[Christopher Orr (film critic)|Christopher Orr]] of ''[[The Atlantic]]'' found "underdeveloped".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2005/01/the-movie-review-the-village/69501/|title=The Movie Review: 'The Village'|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Christopher|last=Orr|date=January 11, 2005|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-date=January 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131065924/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2005/01/the-movie-review-the-village/69501/|url-status=live}}</ref> Though initially receiving mixed reviews,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/village| title=Village, The (2004) Movie Reviews| website=Rotten Tomatoes| date=July 30, 2004| access-date=May 5, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525122525/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/village/| archive-date=May 25, 2010| url-status=live}}</ref> the film attracted retrospective reviews years after its release. Several critics deemed it one of Shyamalan's best films, praising Phoenix's "terrific" performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/2015/9/11/9309749/the-village-shyamalan-good|title=M. Night Shyamalan's The Village is an underrated masterpiece|last=VanDerWerff|first=Emily|date=January 23, 2019|work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|access-date=September 2, 2019|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228203645/https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/2015/9/11/9309749/the-village-shyamalan-good|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/the-village-movie-underrated-m-night-shyamalan/|title=In Defense of M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Village'|last=Chitwood|first=Adam|work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=July 30, 2019|access-date=September 2, 2019|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228191250/https://collider.com/the-village-movie-underrated-m-night-shyamalan/|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/the-village-defense/|title=The Unpopular Opinion: 13 Years Later, 'The Village' Stands as One of M. Night Shyamalan's Best Movies|last=Evangelista|first=Chris|date=August 1, 2017|work=[[SlashFilm]]|access-date=September 2, 2019|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726202233/https://www.slashfilm.com/the-village-defense/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was a financial success, grossing {{USD|256.7 million|long=no}} worldwide on its {{USD|60 million|long=no}} budget.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=village.htm| title=The Village| website=Box Office Mojo| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612145045/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=village.htm| archive-date=June 12, 2018| url-status=live}}</ref>

In his next film of the year, he starred opposite [[John Travolta]] in the drama film ''[[Ladder 49]]'' as a [[Baltimore City Fire Department|Baltimore firefighter]]. In preparation for the role, Phoenix trained for two months with the Baltimore Fire Department, putting out actual fires. He admitted that he was afraid of heights before he started making this film, recalling "I got to the pole and I looked down and I couldn't do it. But you go through the training and it exposes your fears and helps you to overcome them. We ended up rappelling off a six-story tower and that really helped."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/real-life-heroes-and-the-stars-of-ladder-49/all|title=Heroes and Stars of Ladder 49|work=[[Oprah Winfrey|Oprah.com]]|date=September 20, 2004|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=January 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131080029/https://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/real-life-heroes-and-the-stars-of-ladder-49/all|url-status=live}}</ref> The film earned {{USD|102.3 million|long=no}} at the box office<ref name="thenumbers">{{cite web |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2004/LAD49.php |title=Ladder 49 |access-date=July 24, 2008 |website=The Numbers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605033825/http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2004/LAD49.php |archive-date=June 5, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> despite receiving generally mixed reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/ladder-49/ |title=Ladder 49(2004) |access-date=February 20, 2024 |website=[[Metacritic]] }}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, praising the performances in the film.<ref>{{cite news| first=Roger| last=Ebert| title=Ladder 49| newspaper=Chicago Sun Times| date=October 1, 2004| url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20041001%2FREVIEWS%2F40920005%2F1023| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-date=March 10, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310113834/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20041001%2FREVIEWS%2F40920005%2F1023| url-status=dead}}</ref> Phoenix's final film of 2004 was [[Terry George]]'s ''[[Hotel Rwanda]]'', playing cameraman Jack Daglish. Based on the [[Rwandan genocide]], the film documents [[Paul Rusesabagina]]'s ([[Don Cheadle]]) efforts to save the lives of his family and more than 1,000 other refugees by providing them with shelter in the besieged [[Hôtel des Mille Collines]]. The film was a moderate financial success<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hotelrwanda.htm| title=Hotel Rwanda| website=Box Office Mojo| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-date=February 7, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207170309/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl240682497/| url-status=live}}</ref> but was a critical success, receiving almost exclusively positive reviews from critics.<ref name="meta">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/hotel-rwanda/ |title=Hotel Rwanda] |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=February 20, 2024}}</ref> For his performance in the film, Phoenix was nominated for a [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture|Screen Actors Guild Award]] along with the cast.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/11th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards| title=The 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards| website=[[Screen Actors Guild]]| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825224547/http://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/11th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards| archive-date=August 25, 2013| url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Joaquin Phoenix 2005.jpg|thumb|upright|Phoenix attending the premiere of ''[[Walk the Line]]'' at the [[2005 Toronto International Film Festival]]]]

In 2005, Phoenix co-starred alongside [[Reese Witherspoon]] in the [[James Mangold]] directed film ''[[Walk the Line]],'' a [[Johnny Cash]] biopic, after Cash himself approved of Phoenix.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1513769/johnny-cash-was-thrilled-joaquin-phoenix-would-play-him-line-director-says/| title=Johnny Cash Was 'Thrilled' Joaquin Phoenix Would Play Him, 'Line' Director Says| work=[[MTV News]]| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403201820/http://www.mtv.com/news/1513769/johnny-cash-was-thrilled-joaquin-phoenix-would-play-him-line-director-says/| archive-date=April 3, 2015| url-status=dead}}</ref> All of Cash's vocal tracks in the film and on the accompanying soundtrack are played and sung by Phoenix.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movies/11/17/joaquin.phoenix/| title=Finding the voice, spirit of Johnny Cash| work=[[CNN]]| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151424/http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movies/11/17/joaquin.phoenix/| archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The film premiered at the [[Telluride Film Festival]], eventually grossing {{USD|186 million|long=no}} worldwide.<ref name="boxoffice">{{cite news| title=Walk the Line| website=Box Office Mojo| url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=walktheline.htm| access-date=January 27, 2009| archive-date=February 7, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207222038/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3665397249/| url-status=live}}</ref> Phoenix's performance received rave reviews from critics and it inspired film critic Roger Ebert to write, "Knowing Johnny Cash's albums more or less by heart, I closed my eyes to focus on the soundtrack and decided that, yes, that was the voice of Johnny Cash I was listening to. The closing credits make it clear it's Joaquin Phoenix doing the singing, and I was gob-smacked".<ref name="ebert">{{cite news| last=Ebert| first=Roger| title=Walk the Line| newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times| date=November 18, 2005| url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051117/REVIEWS/51107006/1023| access-date=January 27, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212120132/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20051117%2FREVIEWS%2F51107006%2F1023| archive-date=December 12, 2007| url-status=live }}</ref> For his portrayal of Johnny Cash, he won the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy]] and the [[Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media]] for the film's soundtrack.<ref name="Joaquin Phoenix">{{cite web| url=http://www.goldenglobes.com/person/joaquin-phoenix|title=Joaquin Phoenix| website=[[Golden Globes]]| access-date=June 16, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529162219/http://www.goldenglobes.com/person/joaquin-phoenix| archive-date=May 29, 2017|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite magazine| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/20-people-you-wont-believe-have-grammys-20150204/joaquin-phoenix-20150129/| title=20 People You Won't Believe Have Grammys| magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]| date=February 4, 2015| access-date=February 22, 2021| last=Harris| first=Keith| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403121249/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/20-people-you-wont-believe-have-grammys-20150204/joaquin-phoenix-20150129| archive-date=April 3, 2015| url-status=live}}</ref> Phoenix also received a second [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Academy Award]] nomination as well as a second [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|BAFTA]] nomination, this time in the Best Lead Actor category.<ref name="movies.about.com">{{cite news |url=http://movies.about.com/od/awards/a/oscars013106.htm |title=Oscars 2006 – Academy Award Winners, Nominees, Movies Released in 2005 |newspaper=About.com Entertainment |access-date=April 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701050908/http://movies.about.com/od/awards/a/oscars013106.htm |archive-date=July 1, 2015 |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite web |title=Film in 2006 |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2006/film |publisher=British Academy of Film and Television Arts |access-date=June 21, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130906104051/http://awards.bafta.org/award/2006/film |archive-date = September 6, 2013 |url-status = live}}</ref> Earlier that year, he narrated ''[[Earthlings (film)|Earthlings]]'' (2005), a documentary about the investigation of animal abuse in [[intensive animal farming|factory farms]], and pet mills, and for scientific research. He was awarded the Humanitarian Award at the [[San Diego Film Festival]] in 2005, for his work and contribution to ''Earthlings''.<ref name="I Saw Earthlings.com Cast and Crew">{{cite web |url=http://isawearthlings.com/ |title=I Saw Earthlings.com Cast and Crew |website=Isawearthlings.com |access-date=March 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727004621/http://www.isawearthlings.com/ |archive-date=July 27, 2018 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> [[Animal rights]] philosopher [[Tom Regan]] remarked that "for those who watch ''Earthlings'', the world will never be the same".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.earthlings.com/earthlings/review-press.php |title=EARTHLINGS is Single Informative Movie in Treatment and Protection of Animals|work=Earthlings.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818211200/http://www.earthlings.com/earthlings/review-press.php |archive-date=August 18, 2010}}</ref>

Phoenix's first producing task was the action thriller ''[[We Own the Night (film)|We Own the Night]]'' (2007), in which he played nightclub manager Bobby Green/Grusinsky who tries to save his brother ([[Mark Wahlberg]]) and father ([[Robert Duvall]]) from [[Russian mafia]] hitmen. The James Gray-directed film premiered at the [[2007 Cannes Film Festival]] to mixed reviews;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/4430729/year/2007.html |title=Festival de Cannes: We Own the Night |newspaper=Festival de Cannes |access-date=December 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805022217/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/4430729/year/2007.html |archive-date=August 5, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Roger Ebert praised Gray's direction and the acting, but criticized its screenplay for lack of originality.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/we-own-the-night-2007|title=But we have to share custody|work=[[RogerEbert.com]]|first=Roger|last=Ebert|date=October 11, 2007|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028193023/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/we-own-the-night-2007|url-status=live}}</ref> [[David Edelstein]] of ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine commended Phoenix for elevating the film's conflict, writing that it "might be heavy-handed without Phoenix's face—his irresolution somehow more powerful than other actors' resolve. There is no artifice. He's not an actor disappearing into a role but a man disappearing into himself [...] Phoenix homes in on the truth of this person. It's the paradox of the greatest acting".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nymag.com/movies/reviews/38963/|title=What's It All About, Anyway?|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|first=David|last=Edelstein|date=October 5, 2007|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=February 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205044740/https://nymag.com/movies/reviews/38963/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Later that year, he played a father obsessed with finding out who killed his son in a [[Hit and run|hit-and-run accident]] in his second feature with Terry George, the crime drama film ''[[Reservation Road]]''. The film received mixed reviews from critics;<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/reservation_road/| title=Reservation Road| website=Rotten Tomatoes| date=October 19, 2007| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401021537/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/reservation_road/| archive-date=April 1, 2015| url-status=live}}</ref> Peter Travers praised Phoenix's acting stating "Even the best actors—and I'd rank Joaquin Phoenix and [[Mark Ruffalo]] among their generation's finest—can't save a movie that aims for tragedy but stalls at soap opera."<ref>{{cite magazine| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/reservation-road-20071018| title=Reservation Road| last=Travers| first=Peter| magazine=Rolling Stone| date=October 18, 2007| access-date=May 1, 2015| archive-date=February 7, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207194537/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/reservation-road-118237/| url-status=dead}}</ref> Phoenix also executive produced the television show ''[[4Real]]'', a half-hour program which began airing in 2007. The series showcased celebrity guests on global adventures "in order to connect with young leaders who are creating social and economic change".<ref>{{cite web| title=4 Real| url=http://www.directcurrentmedia.com/| website=Direct Current Media| access-date=August 22, 2007| archive-date=February 23, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223190852/https://directcurrentmedia.com/| url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2008, Phoenix starred as a suicidal bachelor torn between the family friend his parents wish he would marry and his beautiful but volatile new neighbor in Gray's ''[[Two Lovers (2008 film)|Two Lovers]]''. The romantic drama premiered at the [[2008 Cannes Film Festival]]. Reviews for the film and Phoenix's performance were positive; ''The New York Times Magazine''{{'}}s chief critic called it his best performance to date<ref>{{cite news| url=https://nymag.com/movies/reviews/54067/| title=Debt Collection| last=Edelstein| first=David| newspaper=[[The New York Times Magazine]]| date=February 8, 2009| access-date=May 1, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114005951/http://nymag.com/movies/reviews/54067/|archive-date=January 14, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> and Ray Bennett of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' felt that Phoenix led the film with "great intelligence and enormous charm, making his character's conflict utterly believable".<ref name="thr">{{cite journal |last=Bennett |first=Ray |title=Reviews: ''Two Lovers'' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/two-lovers-126111 |journal=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=May 19, 2008 |access-date=February 23, 2021 |archive-date=September 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915102303/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/two-lovers-126111/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During the promotion of ''Two Lovers'', Phoenix had started to film his next performance for the [[mockumentary]] film ''[[I'm Still Here (2010 film)|I'm Still Here]]'' (2010), which the media felt overshadowed the former's theatrical release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://observer.com/2009/06/two-lovers-movie/|title=A good movie that didn't get its proper due|work=[[observer.com|The Observer]]|date=June 16, 2009|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516102958/https://observer.com/2009/06/two-lovers-movie/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''I'm Still Here'' purports to follow the life of Phoenix, from the announcement of his retirement from acting, through his transition into a career as a [[hip hop music|hip hop]] artist managed by rap icon [[Sean Combs|Sean "Diddy" Combs]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Casey Affleck |url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b79439_casey_affleck_joaquins_line_with.html |title=Casey Affleck Joaquins the Line With Phoenix Doc |publisher=E! Online |date=September 2, 2010 |access-date=March 17, 2010 |archive-date=April 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402172441/http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b79439_casey_affleck_joaquins_line_with.html |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite web |title=I'm Still Here |url=http://www.magpictures.com/profile.aspx?id=c710ff64-f3eb-42e4-bda1-b8e811cf4301 |website=[[Magnolia Pictures]] |access-date=August 27, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820193853/http://www.magpictures.com/profile.aspx?id=c710ff64-f3eb-42e4-bda1-b8e811cf4301 |archive-date=August 20, 2010 }}</ref> Directed by Phoenix's then brother-in-law [[Casey Affleck]] and co-written by Affleck and Phoenix, the little-seen film premiered at the [[67th Venice International Film Festival]] to mixed reviews;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/im_still_here_the_lost_year_of_joaquin_phoenix/ |title=I'm Still Here Movie Reviews, Pictures |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=September 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909182229/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/im_still_here_the_lost_year_of_joaquin_phoenix/ |archive-date=September 9, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> critics were divided on whether to interpret the film as documentary or performance art.<ref name="AffleckSpeaks">{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/17/movies/17affleck.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908083325/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/17/movies/17affleck.html| url-status=live| title=Documentary? Better Call It Performance Art| first=Michael| last=Cieply| date=September 16, 2010| archive-date=September 8, 2015| newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url-access=registration}}</ref> After its release, Phoenix explained that the idea for the feature arose from his amazement that people believed reality television shows' claims of being unscripted. By claiming to retire from acting, he and Affleck planned to make a film that "explored celebrity, and explored the relationship between the media and the consumers and the celebrities themselves" through their film.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/97pPMzESi6s Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20100927014158/http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=97pPMzESi6s Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97pPMzESi6s|title=Joaquin Phoenix Return visit on David Letterman show (sept 22 - 2010) HD 1080p|work=YouTube|date=September 23, 2010 |access-date=May 16, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jan/22/joaquin-phoenix-real-life-evil-seduces-inherent-vice| title=Joaquin Phoenix: 'In real life, evil seduces'| newspaper=The Guardian| location=London| date=January 22, 2015| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320190600/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jan/22/joaquin-phoenix-real-life-evil-seduces-inherent-vice| archive-date=March 20, 2015| url-status=live}}</ref>

===2011–2019: Established career and continued acclaim===
In 2011, it was announced that Phoenix would star in [[Paul Thomas Anderson]]'s drama film ''[[The Master (2012 film)|The Master]]'', which traces the relationship between Freddie Quell (Phoenix), a [[World War II]] navy veteran struggling to adjust to a post-war society and Lancaster Dodd ([[Philip Seymour Hoffman]]), a leader of a religious movement known as "The Cause". To create the character, Phoenix lost a significant amount of weight and went to a dentist to help force his jaw shut on one side; a trait his own father had.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/01/21/264524233/phoenix-to-self-why-am-i-talking-about-this-joaquin-shut-up|title=Phoenix To Self: 'Why Am I Talking About This? ... Joaquin, Shut Up'|work=[[NPR]]|date=January 21, 2014|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516115528/https://www.npr.org/2014/01/21/264524233/phoenix-to-self-why-am-i-talking-about-this-joaquin-shut-up|url-status=live}}</ref> The film premiered at the [[69th Venice International Film Festival|2012 Venice Film Festival]] where he won the [[Volpi Cup for Best Actor]].<ref>{{cite journal| last=Waxman| first=Sharon| url=https://www.thewrap.com/awards/article/pieta-master-win-top-venice-prizes-55486| title='Pieta,' 'The Master' Win Top Venice Prizes&nbsp;– Jury Shifts Votes| journal=[[TheWrap]]| date=September 8, 2012| access-date=September 9, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910232809/http://www.thewrap.com/awards/article/pieta-master-win-top-venice-prizes-55486| archive-date=September 10, 2012| url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Art film|arthouse film]] only grossed {{USD|28 million|long=no}}<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=themaster.htm| title=The Master| website=Box Office Mojo| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326091101/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=themaster.htm| archive-date=March 26, 2015| url-status=live}}</ref> but was received with critical acclaim, with Phoenix's performance receiving high praise.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_master_2011 |title=The Master |website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=September 14, 2012 |access-date=March 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328011854/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_master_2011/ |archive-date=March 28, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Peter Travers called it the performance of his career writing "Acting doesn't get better or go deeper[...]Phoenix wears the role like a second skin. You can't take your eyes off him." His performance as Freddie was described as "career-defining" by [[Todd McCarthy]] of ''The Hollywood Reporter'', who was impressed that Anderson and Phoenix collaboratively were able to build such complex work around such a derelict figure.<ref name="McCarthy">{{cite web |author=McCarthy, Todd |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/master-philip-seymour-hoffman-joaquin-phoenix-367129 |title='The Master': Venice Review |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 1, 2012 |access-date=September 20, 2012 |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025162012/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/master-philip-seymour-hoffman-joaquin-phoenix-367129 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/the-master-20120910| title=The Master| magazine=Rolling Stone| last=Travers| first=Peter| date=September 10, 2012| access-date=May 2, 2015| archive-date=October 16, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016175819/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/the-master-20120910| url-status=dead}}</ref> Fellow actor [[Daniel Day-Lewis]] publicly lauded the "remarkable" Phoenix while accepting the Screen Actors Guild Award, apologizing for the fact that Phoenix hadn't been nominated for the same award.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-xpm-2013-jan-28-la-et-mn-sag-awards-2013-jennifer-lawrence-joaquin-phoenix-tommy-lee-jones-tina-fey-20130127-story.html| title=SAG Awards 2013: The big moments, from Fey quips to Lawrence rippage| last=Zeitchik| first=Steven| newspaper=Los Angeles Times| date=January 28, 2013| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402192656/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jan/28/entertainment/la-et-mn-sag-awards-2013-jennifer-lawrence-joaquin-phoenix-tommy-lee-jones-tina-fey-20130127| archive-date=April 2, 2015| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a454175/daniel-day-lewis-credits-dicaprio-neeson-with-lincoln-encouragement/|title=Daniel Day-Lewis credits DiCaprio, Neeson with 'Lincoln' encouragement|work=[[Digital Spy]]|first=Kate|last=Goodacre|date=January 28, 2013|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516115529/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a454175/daniel-day-lewis-credits-dicaprio-neeson-with-lincoln-encouragement/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite this, Phoenix received his third Academy, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for his leading role.<ref>{{cite magazine| url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/01/10/oscar-nominations2013/|title=Oscar 2013: The nominations revealed...| magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]| date=January 10, 2013| access-date=January 10, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112012704/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/01/10/oscar-nominations2013/| archive-date=January 12, 2013| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jan/09/baftas-2013-nominations-list| title=Baftas 2013: full list of nominations| newspaper=The Guardian| location=London| date=January 9, 2013| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304220811/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jan/09/baftas-2013-nominations-list| archive-date=March 4, 2016| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/dec/13/golden-globes-2013-nominations-list| title=Golden Globes 2013: full list of nominations| newspaper=The Guardian| location=London| date=December 13, 2012| access-date=March 22, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425065837/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/dec/13/golden-globes-2013-nominations-list| archive-date=April 25, 2019| url-status=live}}</ref>

Phoenix and Gray's fourth collaboration came with ''[[The Immigrant (2013 film)|The Immigrant]]'' (2013), a drama film in which he played the supporting role of a [[pimp]] who prostitutes [[Polish people|Polish]] immigrant Ewa ([[Marion Cotillard]]) and ends up falling for her. ''The Immigrant'' and his performance premiered to highly positive reviews at the [[2013 Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-immigrant|title=The Immigrant Reviews|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=May 15, 2014|archive-date=May 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516173400/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-immigrant|url-status=live}}</ref> In his review, [[Ignatiy Vishnevetsky]] of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' thought the film featured one of his best performances and commended Phoenix's and Gray's developing work, writing of that "the two are so perfectly in sync, that it's hard to tell where Phoenix's performance ends and Gray's visual style[...]—begins", further lauding their development of Bruno into "a fully fledged tragic character, even though he is neither the protagonist of ''The Immigrant'' nor the main driving force behind its plot".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/review/james-grays-immigrant-american-masterpiece-204576|title=James Gray's The Immigrant is an American masterpiece|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|first=Ignatiy|last=Vishnevetsky|date=May 15, 2014|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=August 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815184359/http://www.avclub.com/review/james-grays-immigrant-american-masterpiece-204576|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Her Premiere NYFF 2013.jpg|thumb|left|Phoenix (far left) with director [[Spike Jonze]] and the cast of ''[[Her (2013 film)|Her]]'' at the [[2013 New York Film Festival]]]]

His next feature film of that year was the [[Spike Jonze]]-directed romantic science-fiction drama ''[[Her (2013 film)|Her]]''. He played Theodore Twombly, a man who develops a relationship with Samantha ([[Scarlett Johansson]]), an intelligent computer operating system personified through a female voice. Released to critical acclaim, critic A.A. Dowd of ''The A.V. Club'' labeled Phoenix as "one of the most emotionally honest actors in Hollywood", impressed at how he effortlessly unleashes waves of vulnerability in the film's many tight, invasive close-up images, calling it a "tremendous performance, one that rescues this character—a mess of insecurities, regrets, and desires—from the walking pity party he could have been".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/joaquin-phoenix-courts-his-computer-in-the-beguiling-he-1798179030|title=Joaquin Phoenix courts his computer in the beguiling Her|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|first=A.A.|last=Dowd|date=December 18, 2013|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=March 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321195343/https://film.avclub.com/joaquin-phoenix-courts-his-computer-in-the-beguiling-he-1798179030|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Her'' earned more than double of its production budget,<ref name="mojo">{{cite web |title=Her (2013) |url= https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=her2013.htm |work= [[Box Office Mojo]] |publisher= [[Internet Movie Database]] |access-date= June 6, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140530232053/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=her2013.htm |archive-date= May 30, 2014 |url-status= live }}</ref> and Phoenix received his fourth nomination at the Golden Globes.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.goldenglobes.com/joaquin-phoenix| title=Joaquin Phoenix Biography| website=The Golden Globes| access-date=May 3, 2015| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226233313/http://www.goldenglobes.com/joaquin-phoenix| archive-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref> Several journalists expressed disappointment over his failure to receive an Oscar nomination for it,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/oscar-snubs-nominations-2014|title=Oscar Snubs We May Never Get Over|work=[[GQ]]|date=January 16, 2014|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516141415/https://www.gq.com/story/oscar-snubs-nominations-2014|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/oscar-snubs-nominations-2014|title=Oscar Snubs We May Never Get Over|work=[[GQ]]|date=January 16, 2014|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516141415/https://www.gq.com/story/oscar-snubs-nominations-2014|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/2014-oscar-snubs-tom-hanks-671492/8-joaquin-phoenix-her/|title=Joaquin Phoenix, 'Her'|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=January 16, 2014|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516141414/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/2014-oscar-snubs-tom-hanks-671492/8-joaquin-phoenix-her/|url-status=live}}</ref> with [[Peter Knegt]] of ''IndieWire'' naming it of one of ten worst Oscar acting [[snub]]s of the last decade in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2015/01/the-10-worst-oscar-acting-snubs-of-the-last-10-years-66251/|title=The 10 Worst Oscar Acting Snubs of the Last 10 Years|work=[[IndieWire]]|first=Peter|last=Knegt|date=January 15, 2015|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516141414/https://www.indiewire.com/2015/01/the-10-worst-oscar-acting-snubs-of-the-last-10-years-66251/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014, Phoenix took on the role of Doc Sportello, a [[private investigator]] and [[hippie]]/[[Drug addict|dope head]] trying to help his ex-girlfriend solve a crime in the crime comedy-drama ''[[Inherent Vice (film)|Inherent Vice]]'', based on [[Thomas Pynchon]]'s detective [[Inherent Vice|novel of the same name]]. Reviews toward the film were positive; critics praised Phoenix's performance and Paul Thomas Anderson's direction, while some were frustrated by its complicated plot.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/inherent_vice/ |title=Inherent Vice (2015) |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |date=January 9, 2015 |publisher=[[Fandango Media]] |access-date=June 7, 2020 |archive-date=November 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115080707/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/inherent_vice/ |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/inherent-vice |title=Inherent Vice Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=February 13, 2015 |archive-date=February 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217061339/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/inherent-vice |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Robbie Collin]] of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' termed Phoenix as Anderson's "perfect leading man" and his work as "the kind of quietly dazzling performance that rarely wins awards but will be adoringly dissected and quoted for decades".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/inherent-vice/review/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/inherent-vice/review/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Inherent Vice: 'stupendous'|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|first=Robbie|last=Collin|date=February 19, 2015|access-date=May 16, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Phoenix earned his fifth Golden Globe nomination for the film.<ref>{{cite web |title=Winners & Nominees 2015 |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/2015?page=1 |publisher=Hollywood Foreign Press Association |access-date=June 21, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160826152602/http://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/2015?page=1 |archive-date = August 26, 2016 |url-status = live}}</ref>

After narrating the sequel to ''Earthlings'', the 2015 [[animal rights]]' documentary ''[[Unity (film)|Unity]]'',<ref name="McNary">{{cite news| url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/documentary-unity-set-for-aug-12-release-with-100-star-narrators-1201477200/| title=Documentary 'Unity' Set for Aug. 12 Release with 100 Star Narrators| last=McNary| first=Dave| date=April 22, 2015| newspaper=Variety| access-date=May 12, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901112039/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/documentary-unity-set-for-aug-12-release-with-100-star-narrators-1201477200/| archive-date=September 1, 2015| url-status=live}}</ref> Phoenix teamed with director [[Woody Allen]] and [[Emma Stone]] in the crime mystery film ''[[Irrational Man (film)|Irrational Man]]''. He played Abe Lucas, a philosophy professor experiencing an [[existential crisis]]. The film was released to mixed reviews at the [[2015 Cannes Film Festival]]; ''The Hollywood Reporter'' felt that the film was too similar to Allen's previous films, but praised Phoenix's chemistry with Stone and Phoenix for playing the character "with a wonderful baggy, lived-in quality that makes us want to climb inside the character's whiskey-sozzled head".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/joaquin-phoenix-emma-stone-woody-795347/|title='Irrational Man': Cannes Review|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|first=David|last=Rooney|date=May 15, 2015|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516155257/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/joaquin-phoenix-emma-stone-woody-795347/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Joaquin Phoenix Cannes 2017.jpg|thumb|upright|Phoenix attending the premiere of ''[[You Were Never Really Here]]'' at the [[2017 Cannes Film Festival]]]]

The thriller ''[[You Were Never Really Here]]'', written and directed by [[Lynne Ramsay]] and based on the novella of the same name by [[Jonathan Ames]], ranks among the most acclaimed films of Phoenix's career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/you_were_never_really_here|title=You Were Never Really Here (2018)|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=April 6, 2018|access-date=December 6, 2019|archive-date=May 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523144852/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/you_were_never_really_here/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film is about Joe (played by Phoenix), a traumatized former [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI agent]] and [[Gulf War]] veteran who tracks down missing girls for a living. To prepare for the film, Phoenix was advised by a former bodyguard who goes on international missions to rescue children suffering sexual exploitation and abuse by human traffickers; he gained a significant amount of weight and muscle for the part.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/05/joaquin-phoenix-lynne-ramsay-you-were-never-really-here-cannes|title=Here's How Much Joaquin Phoenix Trusted Lynne Ramsay|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|first=Julie|last=Miller|date=May 25, 2017|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=December 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224074849/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/05/joaquin-phoenix-lynne-ramsay-you-were-never-really-here-cannes|url-status=live}}</ref> Phoenix was Ramsay's first and only choice to play the veteran, with Ramsay calling him "my soulmate in making movies".<ref name="Esquire">{{cite web|url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/film/a16799753/joaquin-phoenix-interview/|title=Joaquin Phoenix: A Man Apart|work=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]|first=Sanjiv|last=Bhattacharya|date=February 12, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818144422/https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/film/a16799753/joaquin-phoenix-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film premiered at the [[2017 Cannes Film Festival]], where earned Phoenix the [[Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.metacritic.com/movie/you-were-never-really-here |title= You Were Never Really Here Reviews |publisher= [[CBS Interactive]] |work= [[Metacritic]] |access-date= December 29, 2018 |archive-date= August 18, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180818145315/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/you-were-never-really-here |url-status= live }}<br />{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/festivals/cannes-film-festival-2017-award-winners-palme-d-or-1202446856/ |title=2017 Cannes Film Festival Award Winners Announced |first=Peter |last=Debruge |date=May 28, 2017 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |work=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528204621/http://variety.com/2017/film/festivals/cannes-film-festival-2017-award-winners-palme-d-or-1202446856/ |archive-date=May 28, 2017 |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-40077490 |title=Cannes Film Festival: The Square wins Palme d'Or |date=May 28, 2017 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528182002/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-40077490 |archive-date=May 28, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Justin Chang]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' described Phoenix's performance as "the most rivetingly contained" work of his career<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-you-were-never-really-here-review-20180405-story.html| title=Joaquin Phoenix descends into a hellish New York underworld in the haunting 'You Were Never Really Here'| newspaper=Los Angeles Times| first=Justin| last=Chang| date=April 5, 2018| access-date=April 7, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407095859/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-you-were-never-really-here-review-20180405-story.html| archive-date=April 7, 2018| url-status=live}}</ref> and Dominick Suzanne-Mayer of ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]'' noted that his evocative manners in the film, led to him giving career-high work and "the kind of haunting turn that only comes around a few times every decade or so".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2018/04/film-review-you-were-never-really-here-is-brutal-hypnotic-and-absolutely-must-see/|title=Film Review: You Were Never Really Here is Brutal, Hypnotic, and Absolutely Must-See|work=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]|first=Dominick|last=Suzanne-Mayer|date=April 7, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516165003/https://consequence.net/2018/04/film-review-you-were-never-really-here-is-brutal-hypnotic-and-absolutely-must-see/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2018, Phoenix portrayed Jesus in the biblical drama ''[[Mary Magdalene (2018 film)|Mary Magdalene]]'', written by [[Helen Edmundson]] and directed by [[Garth Davis]]. The film, and his performance, received mixed reviews; a reviewer for ''Entertainment Weekly'' thought that Phoenix lacked the quiet compassion and grace that was required for the role, while Nick Allen of Roger Ebert's website described his performance as "a human being who is visibly tormented by the power and wisdom that works through him", deeming it one of the best portrayals of Jesus ever.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movie-reviews/2019/04/12/mary-magdalene/|title=Rooney Mara gives the gospels a feminist spin in Mary Magdalene: EW review|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|first=Chris|last=Nashawaty|date=April 12, 2019|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516175432/https://ew.com/movie-reviews/2019/04/12/mary-magdalene/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mary-magdalene-2019|title=Mary Magdalene|first=Nick|last=Allen|date=April 12, 2019|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516175432/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mary-magdalene-2019|url-status=live}}</ref> His next two features {{mdash}} the biopic ''[[Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot]]'' and the crime drama ''[[The Sisters Brothers (film)|The Sisters Brothers]]'' {{mdash}} were much better received. In the former, Phoenix reunited with his ''To Die For'' director Gus Van Sant to portray [[quadriplegic]] cartoonist [[John Callahan (cartoonist)|John Callahan]]. Barry Hertz of ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' wrote that there's no better leading actor producing better work than Phoenix, stating "The actor—never a simple chameleon, but someone who disappears into a role entirely with a frightening conviction—continues to display new and tremendous range here" and David Hughes of ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' thought that in a more conventional film, Phoenix would be the favorite to win an Academy Award.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/reviews/article-review-joaquin-phoenix-rises-from-gus-van-sants-ambivalence-in-dont/|title=Review: Joaquin Phoenix rises from Gus Van Sant's ambivalence in Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|first=Barry|last=Hertz|date=July 18, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818144423/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/reviews/article-review-joaquin-phoenix-rises-from-gus-van-sants-ambivalence-in-dont/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/worry-get-far-foot-review/|title=Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot Review|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|first=David|last=Hughes|date=October 22, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516175437/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/worry-get-far-foot-review/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The third film of 2018 was ''The Sisters Brothers'', [[Jacques Audiard]]'s adaptation of the [[The Sisters Brothers|novel of the same name]] by [[Patrick deWitt]]. The film starred [[John C. Reilly]] and Phoenix as the notorious assassin brothers Eli and Charlie Sisters respectively and chronicles their chase after two men who have banded together to search for gold. Writing for Roger Ebert's website, Tomris Laffly commented on Phoenix's and Reilly's "tremendous chemistry" and Lindsey Behr of the ''[[Associated Press]]'' opined that the duo "excellently manage all the various tones in the film".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/3fbe977f7d61451fb1d5957221a5ab89|title=Review: Phoenix and Reilly excel as 'The Sisters Brothers'|work=[[Associated Press]]|first=Lindsey|last=Behr|date=September 26, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516183217/https://apnews.com/article/3fbe977f7d61451fb1d5957221a5ab89|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-sisters-brothers-2018|title=The Sisters Brothers|work=[[RogerEbert.com]]|first=Tomris|last=Laffly|date=September 21, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516182651/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-sisters-brothers-2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
Also in 2018, he collaborated with Rooney Mara and [[Sia]] to narrate Chris Delforce's documentary [[Dominion (documentary)|''Dominion'']].<ref>{{cite journal| url=https://www.plantbasednews.org/post/exclusive-joaquin-pheonix-and-rooney-mara-join-all-star-team-behind-vegan-documentary-dominion| title=BREAKING: New Vegan Documentary 'Dominion' To Feature Joaquin Phoenix And Rooney Mara| journal=Plant Based News| first=Emily| last=Court| date=March 22, 2018| access-date=April 24, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095656/https://www.plantbasednews.org/post/exclusive-joaquin-pheonix-and-rooney-mara-join-all-star-team-behind-vegan-documentary-dominion| archive-date=March 31, 2018| url-status=live}}</ref> Animal rights activists have called it one of the most powerful documentaries ever made.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.plantbasednews.org/culture/james-aspey-documentary-dominion-most-powerful-ever-created|title=Vegan Activist James Aspey Says 'Documentary Dominion Is One Of The Most Powerful Ever Created'|last=Maria|first=Chiorando|date=March 26, 2018|website=Plant Based News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808123356/https://www.plantbasednews.org/culture/james-aspey-documentary-dominion-most-powerful-ever-created|archive-date=August 8, 2019|access-date=February 12, 2020}}</ref> For his contribution to the documentary, Phoenix was granted the 2018 Award of Excellence for Narration by Hollywood International Independent Documentary Awards.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://hiida.com/july-2018-winners.html| title=July 2018 Winners| website=Hollywood International Independent Documentary Awards| access-date=August 3, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213041526/https://hiida.com/july-2018-winners.html| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=usurped}}</ref>

[[File:Joaquin Phoenix red carpet at 76. Venice Film Festival.jpg|thumb|left|Phoenix signing autographs at the premiere of ''[[Joker (2019 film)|Joker]]'' at the [[2019 Venice International Film Festival]]]]
In 2019, Phoenix starred as the [[DC Comics]] character [[Joker (character)|Joker]] in [[Todd Phillips]]'s psychological thriller ''[[Joker (2019 film)|Joker]]''; an alternative [[origin story]] for the character. Set in 1981, the film follows Arthur Fleck, a failed clown and stand-up comedian whose descent into insanity and nihilism inspires a violent counter-cultural revolution against the wealthy in a decaying [[Gotham City]]. Phoenix lost {{convert|52|lbs}} in preparation,<ref name="LAT: Stakes">{{Cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-08-27/joker-todd-phillips-joaquin-phoenix |url-access=limited|title=In 'Joker' the stakes are life and death, and comic book movies may never be the same |last=Rottenberg |first=Josh |date=August 28, 2019 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=August 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828143837/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-08-27/joker-todd-phillips-joaquin-phoenix |archive-date=August 28, 2019 |url-status=live }}<br />{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/joaquin-phoenix-sheds-weight-joker/ |title=Joaquin Phoenix Sheds Weight Ahead of Joker Movie Role |last=Stone |first=Sam |date=September 1, 2018 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |access-date=September 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918160703/https://www.cbr.com/joaquin-phoenix-sheds-weight-joker/ |archive-date=September 18, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and based his laugh on "videos of people suffering from [[Pseudobulbar affect|pathological laughter]]".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/joaquin-phoenix-origin-joker-laugh/ |title=Joaquin Phoenix Reveals the Dark, Real World Origin of His Joker's Laugh |last=Stone |first=Sam |date=August 14, 2019 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |access-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814222213/https://www.cbr.com/joaquin-phoenix-origin-joker-laugh/ |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Released to critical acclaim at the [[76th Venice International Film Festival]],<ref>{{cite news| last1=Anderson| first1=Ariston| title=Venice: Todd Phillips' 'Joker' Wins Golden Lion, Roman Polanski Wins Silver Lion| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/venice-film-festival-awards-revealed-1237684| access-date=September 7, 2019| newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter| date=September 7, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907190057/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/venice-film-festival-awards-revealed-1237684| archive-date=September 7, 2019| url-status=live}}</ref> the film experienced a polarized critical reception after its theatrical release. While Phoenix's performance received rave reviews, the dark tone, portrayal of mental illness, and handling of violence divided opinions and generated concerns of inspiring real-life violence; the movie theater where the [[2012 Aurora, Colorado shooting|2012 Aurora, Colorado, mass shooting]] occurred during a screening of ''[[The Dark Knight Rises]]'' refused to show it.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/10/03/why-joker-became-one-most-divisive-movies-year/|url-access=limited|title=Why 'Joker' became one of the most divisive movies of the year|last=Cavna|first=Michael|date=October 3, 2019|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|language=en|url-status=live|access-date=October 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003213559/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/10/03/why-joker-became-one-most-divisive-movies-year/|archive-date=October 3, 2019}}</ref> Despite this, ''Joker'' became a box office success grossing over {{USD|1 billion|long=no}} (against its {{USD|55 million|long=no}} production budget), the first [[List of highest-grossing R-rated films|R-rated film]] to do so, becoming Phoenix's highest-grossing film.<ref>{{Cite Box Office Mojo |id=7286456 |title=Joker (2019) |access-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213033325/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt7286456/ |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |url-status=live }}<br />{{Cite the numbers |id=Joker-(2019) |title=Joker (2019) |access-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109195928/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Joker-(2019) |archive-date=November 9, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Pete Hammond of ''[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]'' wrote of Phoenix's "extraordinary" performance, describing it as "dazzling risky and original"<ref name="DL: Review">{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/video/joker-review-joaquin-phoenix-robert-de-niro-dc-comics-venice-film-festival/ |title='Joker' Review: Joaquin Phoenix Kills It In Dark, Timely DC Origin Movie That Is No Laughing Matter&nbsp;– Venice Film Festival |last=Hammond |first=Pete |date=August 31, 2019 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=September 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901185321/https://deadline.com/video/joker-review-joaquin-phoenix-robert-de-niro-dc-comics-venice-film-festival/ |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> and ''The Hollywood Reporter'''s David Rooney called his performance the "must-see factor" of the film, writing "he inhabits [the character] with an insanity by turns pitiful and fearsome in an out-there performance that's no laughing matter[...]Phoenix is the prime force that makes Joker such a distinctively edgy entry in the Hollywood comics industrial complex."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/joker-review-1235309/|title='Joker': Film Review Venice 2019|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|first=David|last=Rooney|date=August 31, 2019|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518103732/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/joker-review-1235309/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film earned him numerous awards, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, a [[Screen Actors Guild Awards|SAG]] and a [[Critic's Choice Award]] for Best Actor.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/2020-golden-globes-nominations-list-nominees-1203426905/| title=Golden Globes 2020: The Complete Nominations List| work=Variety| date=December 9, 2019| access-date=December 9, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209155211/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/2020-golden-globes-nominations-list-nominees-1203426905/| archive-date=December 9, 2019}}<br />{{cite news| url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/05/entertainment/golden-globes-winners-2020/index.html| title=See the full list of Golden Globe winners| first=Sandra| last=Gonzalez| work=CNN| access-date=January 6, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106025029/https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/05/entertainment/golden-globes-winners-2020/index.html| archive-date=January 6, 2020| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite news| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bafta-awards-2020-nominations-unveiled-1267114| title='Joker' Leads BAFTA 2020 Nominations| newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter| access-date=January 7, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107092213/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bafta-awards-2020-nominations-unveiled-1267114| archive-date=January 7, 2020| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite news| url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/2020-oscar-nominations-list-academy-awards-nominees-1203461985/| title=Oscar Nominations 2020: The Complete List| newspaper=Variety| date=January 13, 2020| access-date=January 13, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113151810/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/2020-oscar-nominations-list-academy-awards-nominees-1203461985/| archive-date=January 13, 2020| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite news| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2020-critics-choice-awards-winners-list-full-1267901| title=Critics' Choice Awards: 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' Named Best Picture; Full Winners List| newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter| date=January 12, 2020| access-date=January 13, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113110226/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2020-critics-choice-awards-winners-list-full-1267901| archive-date=January 13, 2020| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite magazine| url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/01/sag-awards-2020-joaquin-phoenix-acceptance-speech| title=SAG Awards 2020: Joaquin Phoenix Pays Joker Tribute to "My Favorite Actor, Heath Ledger"| magazine=Vanity Fair| first=Yohana| last=Desta| date=January 20, 2020| access-date=January 20, 2020| archive-date=October 21, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021115000/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/01/sag-awards-2020-joaquin-phoenix-acceptance-speech| url-status=live}}</ref>

===2020–present: Frequent A24 collaborations ===
[[File:Joaquin Phoenix-65066.jpg|thumb|right|Phoenix at the [[81st Venice International Film Festival]] in 2024.]]
In 2020, Phoenix served as an executive producer on ''[[Gunda (2020 film)|Gunda]]'', directed by [[Viktor Kossakovsky]]. The acclaimed documentary follows the daily life of a pig, two cows, and a one-legged chicken.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/02/berlinale-2020-gunda-director-victor-kossakovsky-joaquin-phoenix-1202212995/| title=How 'Gunda' Director Victor Kossakovsky Found Joaquin Phoenix – and the 'Meryl Streep' of Pigs| website=[[IndieWire]]| first=Anne| last=Thompson| date=February 23, 2020| access-date=August 13, 2020| archive-date=August 17, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817121013/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/02/berlinale-2020-gunda-director-victor-kossakovsky-joaquin-phoenix-1202212995/| url-status=live}}</ref> That same year, Phoenix was named on the list of the 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century by ''[[The New York Times]]''. The list was compiled by famed critics [[Manohla Dargis]] and [[A.O. Scott]] and Phoenix's paragraph was written by his frequent collaborator, director James Gray.<ref name="NYT25GA">{{cite news |date=November 25, 2020 |title=The 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century (So Far) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/movies/greatest-actors-actresses.html#joaquin-phoenix |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201234221/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/movies/greatest-actors-actresses.html#joaquin-phoenix |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |newspaper=The New York Times |author1-first=Manhola |author1-last=Dargis |author2-first=A.O. |author2-last=Scott}}</ref> In 2021, he starred in [[Mike Mills (director)|Mike Mills]]' drama ''[[C'mon C'mon (film)|''C'mon C'mon'']]'', as Johnny, a radio journalist who embarks on a cross-country trip with his young nephew. The [[A24]] film premiered at the [[48th Telluride Film Festival]] where it scored the best per-venue average for a limited release since the start of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] upon its release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=November 20, 2021 |title='Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Calls Up $44M Opening Weekend – Sunday AM Update |url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/ghostbusters-afterlife-opening-weekend-1234877444/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120003614/https://deadline.com/2021/11/ghostbusters-afterlife-opening-weekend-1234877444/ |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |access-date=November 21, 2021 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite Metacritic |id=cmon-cmon |type=movie |title=C'mon C'mon |access-date=November 23, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Angelica Jade Bastién of ''[[New York (magazine)|Vulture]]'' praised Phoenix, writing "a tremendous showing from Joaquin Phoenix, operating at a register he's rarely found before. It's a career best for him—lovely, empathetic, humane[...]He possesses a warmth that glows from beginning to end. As Johnny, Phoenix listens to people and the world around him with full-bodied curiosity. This is where the bravura lies in the performance: his ability to seemingly just be."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/cmon-cmon-movie-review-joaquin-phoenix-at-career-best.html|title=Joaquin Phoenix Gives a Career-Best Performance in C'mon C'mon|work=[[New York (magazine)|Vulture]]|first=Angelica Jade|last=Bastién|date=November 24, 2021|access-date=November 24, 2021|archive-date=November 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124135709/https://www.vulture.com/article/cmon-cmon-movie-review-joaquin-phoenix-at-career-best.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Phoenix starred as Beau Wassermann, the [[title character]] in [[Ari Aster]]'s [[surrealist cinema|surrealist]] [[black comedy|black]] [[tragicomedy]] ''[[Beau Is Afraid]]'' (2023), which was released on April 14, 2023, before a wide release the following week. In it, he portrays a mild-mannered but [[paranoia]]-ridden man who embarks on a surreal odyssey to get home to his mother, confronting his greatest fears along the way.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/beau-is-afraid-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdeyndgy|title=Beau Is Afraid|website=www.bbfc.co.uk|access-date=April 24, 2023|archive-date=May 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510064838/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/beau-is-afraid-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdeyndgy|url-status=live}}</ref> The actor shared the cast with [[Amy Ryan]], [[Nathan Lane]] and [[Patti LuPone]]. The film received generally favorable reviews, with critics crediting Aster's direction and Phoenix and his "sheer commitment" to the role, for giving the film its "undeniable power".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/beau_is_afraid|title=Beau Is Afraid|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=April 21, 2023|accessdate=April 24, 2023|archive-date=April 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421223134/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/beau_is_afraid|url-status=live}}</ref> Tomris Laffly of ''[[TheWrap]]'' called his performance as Beau "one of his best performances", praising his ability to act with "a startling level of vulnerability[...]both enigmatic and translucently bare".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/beau-is-afraid-review-ari-aster-joaquin-phoenix/|title='Beau Is Afraid' Review: Ari Aster's Stunning, Unknowable and Fearless Opus|work=[[TheWrap]]|first=Tomris|last=Laffly|date=April 10, 2023|accessdate=April 24, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424152348/https://www.thewrap.com/beau-is-afraid-review-ari-aster-joaquin-phoenix/|url-status=live}}</ref> Phoenix received his seventh Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/golden-globe-nominations-2024-1235660995/|title=Golden Globe Nominations: 'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer' Top Movie List; 'Succession' Leads Way In TV|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|date=December 11, 2023|access-date=December 11, 2023}}</ref>

Phoenix portrayed [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] in ''[[Napoleon (2023 film)|Napoleon]]'', his second collaboration with director Ridley Scott, released in November 2023, with [[Vanessa Kirby]] as [[Joséphine de Beauharnais]]. The film grossed over {{USD|200 million|long=no}} and received mixed reviews (though mostly negative reviews in France), mostly criticized for its pacing and historical inaccuracies. For example, the French GQ magazine called the film "deeply clumsy, unnatural, and unintentionally awkward."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frost |first=Caroline |date=2023-11-19 |title='Napoleon' Director Ridley Scott Dismisses Critics: "The French Don't Even Like Themselves' |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/napoleon-director-ridley-scott-dismisses-critics-epic-film-joaquin-phoenix-1235627199/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2024, Phoenix reprised his role as Joker in Phillips' sequel ''[[Joker: Folie à Deux]]'' with [[Lady Gaga]] as [[Harley Quinn]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vary |first=Adam B. |date=June 7, 2022 |title='Joker' Sequel: Todd Phillips Reveals Working Title, Joaquin Phoenix Reading Script in New Pics |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/joker-sequel-todd-phillips-joaquin-phoenix-folie-a-deux-1235287471/ |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=June 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607230935/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/joker-sequel-todd-phillips-joaquin-phoenix-folie-a-deux-1235287471/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike the first film, it emerged as a critical and commercial failure.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/joker-folie-a-deux-lose-warner-bros-millions-box-office-flop-1236176479/ |title=''Joker: Folie à Deux'' to Lose $150 Million to $200 Million in Theatrical Run After Bombing at Box Office |first=Rebecca |last=Rubin |magazine=Variety|date=October 14, 2024 |access-date=October 14, 2024}}</ref> Phoenix was originally set to star alongside [[Danny Ramirez]] in a film by [[Todd Haynes]], a sexually explicit "love story between two men" set in 1930s Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/global/todd-haynes-sexually-explicit-joaquin-phoenix-film-may-december-julianne-moore-natalie-portman-1235718586/|title=Todd Haynes Teases 'Sexually Explicit' Project With Joaquin Phoenix, Talks About New Oscar Contender 'May December' |work=Variety|date=September 9, 2023|access-date=September 29, 2023}}</ref> Phoenix had co-written it with Haynes, advising him to "go further" with the explicit material, which Haynes said would have likely made it an [[NC-17]] rated film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/todd-haynes-next-movie-nc-17-gay-romance-joaquin-phoenix-1234866179/|title=Todd Haynes Says His Gay Romance Starring Joaquin Phoenix 'Will Be an NC-17 Film'|date=May 22, 2023|first=Christian|last=Zilko|website=[[IndieWire]]|access-date=August 13, 2024}}</ref> The project was cancelled when Phoenix abruptly exited five days before filming began.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/todd-haynes-gay-romance-movie-hold-after-joaquin-phoenix-drops-out-1235034412/|title=Joaquin Phoenix Drops Out of Todd Haynes' Gay Romance, 5 Days Before Production|work=[[IndieWire]]|date=August 9, 2024|access-date=August 9, 2024|first=Ryan|last=Lattanzio}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/joaquin-phoenix-exits-todd-haynes-movie-1236035685/|title=Todd Haynes' Joaquin Phoenix Gay Romance Pic Not Moving Forward As Actor Exits Set|date=August 9, 2024|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- He will also co-star with Mara in [[Pawel Pawlikowski]]'s dramatic thriller ''The Island''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/joaquin-phoenix-and-rooney-mara-board-pawel-pawlikowskis-the-island-1235153301/|title=Joaquin Phoenix And Rooney Mara Board Pawel Pawlikowski's New Film 'The Island,' FilmNation Entertainment To Launch Sales At AFM, WME Independent To Handle US|first=Zac|last=Ntim|date=October 24, 2022|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=October 25, 2022|archive-date=October 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025195122/https://deadline.com/2022/10/joaquin-phoenix-and-rooney-mara-board-pawel-pawlikowskis-the-island-1235153301/|url-status=live}}</ref>-->

Phoenix reunited with [[Ari Aster]] in the [[A24]] contemporary Western film ''[[Eddington (film)|Eddington]]'' (2025) which received positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eddington|title= Eddington (2025)|website= [[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate= August 30, 2025}}</ref> He will next reunite with Lynne Ramsay in ''Polaris'', co-starring Rooney Mara.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/06/lynne-ramsay-joaquin-phoenix-rooney-mara-polaris-1234645733/|title=Lynne Ramsay Sets Joaquin Phoenix Reunion with 'Polaris,' Also Starring Rooney Mara|work=[[IndieWire]]|first=Zack|last=Sharf|date=June 21, 2021|access-date=June 21, 2021|archive-date=June 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621173041/https://www.indiewire.com/2021/06/lynne-ramsay-joaquin-phoenix-rooney-mara-polaris-1234645733/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://theplaylist.net/ari-aster-eddington-dark-western-joaquin-phoenix-20230419/|title='Eddington': Ari Aster May Start Shooting His "Western-Noir Dark Ensemble Comedy" With Joaquin Phoenix This Summer|work=The Playlist|first=Ned|last=Booth|date=April 19, 2023|access-date=June 22, 2023|archive-date=June 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617044302/https://theplaylist.net/ari-aster-eddington-dark-western-joaquin-phoenix-20230419/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Phoenix is a signatory of the [[Film Workers for Palestine]] boycott pledge that was published in September 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Betts |first=Anna |date=2025-09-10 |title=Actors and directors pledge not to work with Israeli film groups 'implicated in genocide' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/sep/08/film-pledge-israeli-institutions-palestinians |access-date=2025-09-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

==Reception and acting style==
{{Quote box
| width = 25%
| align = right
| bgcolor = #E0E6F8
| quote = "When I was 15 or 16 my brother River [Phoenix] came home from work and he had a VHS copy of a movie called ''[[Raging Bull]]'' and he sat me down and made me watch it. And the next day he woke me up, and he made me watch it again. And he said, "You're going to start acting again, this is what you're going to do." He didn't ask me, he just told me. And I am indebted to him for that because acting has given me such an incredible life".
| source = {{mdash}}Phoenix credits his brother [[River Phoenix]] for his acting career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/joaquin-phoenix-river-phoenix-toronto-international-film-festival-1203330067/|title=Joaquin Phoenix Credits River Phoenix For Acting Career in Emotional Speech (Watch)|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Nate|last=Nickolai|date=September 9, 2019|access-date=May 29, 2021|archive-date=April 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419011045/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/joaquin-phoenix-river-phoenix-toronto-international-film-festival-1203330067/|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

At the beginning of his career, Phoenix was often referred to as "the second most famous Phoenix", his name associated most closely with the death of his brother [[River Phoenix]].<ref name="Hagan"/> The media would often compare the two, with ''[[The New York Times]]'' describing Joaquin as "sweetly unsettling and endlessly vulnerable" compared to his brother's "pure all-American blond boyishness".<ref name="Ellis">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/06/t-magazine/joaquin-phoenix.html|title=The Weird Brilliance of Joaquin Phoenix|work=[[The New York Times]]|first=Bret Easton|last=Ellis|authorlink=Bret Easton Ellis|date=September 6, 2017|access-date=May 19, 2021|archive-date=August 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829075814/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/06/t-magazine/joaquin-phoenix.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After his brother died, Phoenix gained a reputation for his distrust of the media, with many speculating that it is derived from how River's death was covered by the press. He was often asked about the day River died, and still is to this date, Phoenix has described these interviews as "insincere" and has felt that they impeded on the mourning process.<ref name="Hagan"/><ref name="Cooper">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joker-joaquin-phoenix-grants-anderson-cooper-rare-60-minutes-interview-2020-09-13/|title=Joaquin Phoenix: A three-decade career filled with dark, complicated characters|work=[[CBS News]]|first=Anderson|last=Cooper|date=September 13, 2020|access-date=May 21, 2021|archive-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521223748/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joker-joaquin-phoenix-grants-anderson-cooper-rare-60-minutes-interview-2020-09-13/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Caroline Frost of ''[[The Huffington Post]]'' has said that Phoenix is "engaging, engaged, mischievous, honest" in person and [[Anderson Cooper]] of ''[[60 Minutes]]'' thought that he was "wry, shy and couldn't be any more friendlier" adding that Phoenix "just doesn't like to talk about himself".<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/SIsPwqympyM Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210306052030/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIsPwqympyM Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIsPwqympyM|title=EL UNO JOAQUIN PHOENIX 60 MINUTES|work=YouTube|date=January 14, 2020|access-date=May 28, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Although known for his intensity and darkness on-screen, director [[James Gray (director)|James Gray]] who worked with Phoenix in four feature films, says that Phoenix is very different off-screen saying "He's actually very tender and sweet and sensitive. It's almost as if he channels his intensity into the characters. Like the work is an outlet for his darker side."<ref name="Esquire"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/02/10/joaquin-phoenix_n_4761327.html|title='Her' Star Joaquin Phoenix Interview: 'You Hit Your Forties, You Get Soft. I'm So Scared Of That'|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|first=Caroline|last=Frost|date=November 2, 2014|access-date=May 28, 2021|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818144422/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/02/10/joaquin-phoenix_n_4761327.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Phoenix has been described as one of the finest actors of his generation.{{efn|1=Attributed to multiple sources.<ref name="Ellis2">{{cite web |last=Ellis |first=Bret Easton |authorlink=Bret Easton Ellis |date=September 6, 2017 |title=The Weird Brilliance of Joaquin Phoenix |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/06/t-magazine/joaquin-phoenix.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829075814/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/06/t-magazine/joaquin-phoenix.html |archive-date=August 29, 2021 |access-date=May 19, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="Lodge2">{{cite web |last=Lodge |first=Guy |date=July 11, 2018 |title=Is Joaquin Phoenix set to be the greatest actor of his generation? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jul/11/joaquin-phoenix-best-roles-film |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818144422/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jul/11/joaquin-phoenix-best-roles-film |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |access-date=May 28, 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref name="Chang2">{{cite web |last=Chang |first=Justin |date=February 9, 2020 |title=Yes, Joaquin Phoenix deserved his best actor Oscar{{mdash}} but not for 'Joker' alone |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-02-09/joaquin-phoenix-wins-oscar-best-actor-joker |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626095701/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-02-09/joaquin-phoenix-wins-oscar-best-actor-joker |archive-date=June 26, 2021 |access-date=May 28, 2021 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref name="NYT25GA22">{{cite news |date=November 25, 2020 |title=The 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century (So Far) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/movies/greatest-actors-actresses.html#joaquin-phoenix |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201234221/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/movies/greatest-actors-actresses.html#joaquin-phoenix |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |newspaper=The New York Times |author1-first=Manhola |author1-last=Dargis |author2-first=A.O. |author2-last=Scott}}</ref><ref name="Macnab" /><ref name="Campbell" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=Empire's 50 Greatest Actors Of All Time List, Revealed |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-actors/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Empire |language=en}}</ref>}} As he achieved stardom after ''Gladiator'' (2000), he was conveniently ruled out of [[teen-idol]] roles because of his hard gaze and scarred lip.<ref name="Lodge">{{cite web |last=Lodge |first=Guy |date=July 11, 2018 |title=Is Joaquin Phoenix set to be the greatest actor of his generation? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jul/11/joaquin-phoenix-best-roles-film |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818144422/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jul/11/joaquin-phoenix-best-roles-film |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |access-date=May 28, 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> [[Justin Chang]], analyzing his career in ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' in 2020, remarked that filmmakers immediately seemed to recognize that Phoenix was more than a heartthrob, and that there was "something more tortured, more vulnerable and infinitely more interesting at play beneath the surface". He noted that through his work, Phoenix is challenging and redefining cinematic manhood and that this quality sets him apart from most of his contemporaries.<ref name="Chang">{{cite web |last=Chang |first=Justin |date=February 9, 2020 |title=Yes, Joaquin Phoenix deserved his best actor Oscar{{mdash}} but not for 'Joker' alone |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-02-09/joaquin-phoenix-wins-oscar-best-actor-joker |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626095701/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-02-09/joaquin-phoenix-wins-oscar-best-actor-joker |archive-date=June 26, 2021 |access-date=May 28, 2021 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> [[Film criticism|Film critic]] and [[History of film|film historian]] [[Leonard Maltin]] has called Phoenix "a true chameleon", writing 
"[Phoenix] commands the screen and breaks your heart; he makes us feel it all vicariously."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://leonardmaltin.com/dont-worry-he-wont-get-far-on-foot/|title=Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot|work=[[Leonard Maltin]]|first=Leonard|last=Matlin|date=July 12, 2018|access-date=May 28, 2021|archive-date=April 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419090621/https://leonardmaltin.com/dont-worry-he-wont-get-far-on-foot/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Phoenix is particularly known for his ability to heavily commit to each role he plays and his intense preparations, deeply immersing himself in the characters, often blurring the lines between fiction and reality.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/best-joaquin-phoenix-movies/|title=The 11 Best Joaquin Phoenix Performances, Ranked|work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|first=Phil|last=Pirrello|date=September 24, 2019|access-date=May 28, 2021|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818144424/https://collider.com/best-joaquin-phoenix-movies/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Hagan"/> That immersion was particularly evident during the filming of the [[mockumentary]] ''I'm Still Here'' (2010), when Phoenix announced to the world that he was retiring from acting to become a rapper. Throughout the filming period, Phoenix remained in character for public appearances, giving many the impression that he was genuinely pursuing a new career. Media outlets worldwide believed that Phoenix was having a [[mental breakdown]] after his infamous appearance on ''[[The Late Show with David Letterman]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/joaquin-phoenix-great-practical-joke|title=Joaquin Phoenix Great Practical Joke|newspaper=[[The Daily Beast]]|first=Gina|last=Piccalo|date=August 22, 2010|access-date=May 28, 2021|archive-date=June 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612143409/https://www.thedailybeast.com/joaquin-phoenix-great-practical-joke|url-status=live}}</ref> Confusion from the media turned to concern as the seemingly drug-addled Phoenix continued his attempts to convince crowds he was serious about a rap career. Many worried his erratic behavior was a sign he was stuck in a downward spiral, and headed down the same self-destructive path that took the life of his older brother. Although widely suspected to be a mockumentary, the fact that the events of the film had been deliberately staged was not disclosed until after the film had been released.<ref name="AffleckSpeaks"/> To this day, some people believe he went through a personal meltdown during the filming period.<ref name="Hagan"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/joaquin-phoenixs-huge-prank-on-the-world/news-story/2909626df4002687b950a58a7ee5cad2|title=Joaquin Phoenix's huge prank on the world|work=[[News.com.au]]|first=Bella|last=Fowler|date=September 8, 2019|access-date=May 28, 2021|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818144423/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/joaquin-phoenixs-huge-prank-on-the-world/news-story/2909626df4002687b950a58a7ee5cad2|url-status=live}}</ref> Phoenix has credited the making of ''I'm Still Here'' for allowing him to make bolder choices in acting.<ref name="Ellis"/>

Phoenix contends there's no real methodology to the roles he chooses, but has said that he is drawn to complex characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/lifestyle/3811678-actor-joaquin-phoenix-drawn-complex-characters|title=Actor Joaquin Phoenix drawn to complex characters|work=[[Duluth News Tribune]]|first=Lorraine|last=Ali|date=August 6, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2021|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818144433/https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/lifestyle/3811678-actor-joaquin-phoenix-drawn-complex-characters|url-status=dead}}</ref> He speculates that his affinity for dark roles derives from something more ineffable, possibly [[prenatal]] saying that "I think there is a combination of nature and nurture[...]—and some of it is my upbringing." Even so, Phoenix remains reluctant to draw a line between his unusual childhood, his private tragedy and his talent for "inhabiting the morose, damaged, violent, and otherwise anxiety-riddled characters".<ref name="Hagan"/> James Gray has described Phoenix as "one of the most incorruptible people I've ever known, and the least superficial", and has spoken of his acting, saying that he admires Phoenix's "limitless ability to surprise you in the best ways and inspire you to move in a direction that you haven't thought of originally, better than what you have in mind".<ref name="NYT25GA"/><ref name="Esquire"/>

[[Garth Davis]], who directed Phoenix in ''Mary Magdalene'' (2018), has remarked that he does not apply [[method acting]], but said that working with Phoenix is like "working with this beautiful wild animal, where you have to give him the space to be free, so his performance can roam freely: raw, uncontrived and truly natural. If he smells the design of the scene, you lose his free spirit; if the script is weak, he will expose its flaws. He is fiercely intelligent and almost completely instinctual. And he has this immense sensitivity that can be both his curse and his gift, but for me, that is what it means to be human".<ref name="Esquire"/> In an interview with ''[[The Guardian]]'' in 2015, Phoenix said that he prefers [[independent film]] over [[major film studio|major studio film]], citing that "the quality of acting suffers".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carroll |first1=Rory |title=Joaquin Phoenix: 'In real life, evil seduces' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jan/22/joaquin-phoenix-real-life-evil-seduces-inherent-vice |website=[[The Guardian]] |date=January 22, 2015 |access-date=January 22, 2015 |archive-date=March 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320190600/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jan/22/joaquin-phoenix-real-life-evil-seduces-inherent-vice |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2019, Phoenix stated that in choosing films, he solely relies on the director, "I don't really care about genre or budget size, anything like that. It's just whether there is a filmmaker that has a unique vision, has a voice, and the ability to make the film."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/10/movies/joaquin-phoenix-joker.html|title=Joaquin Phoenix,the Wild Card of 'Joker'|work=[[The New York Times]]|first=Dave|last=Itzkoff|date=September 10, 2019|access-date=May 29, 2021|archive-date=September 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912102511/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/10/movies/joaquin-phoenix-joker.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For Phoenix, a great performance is in the director's hands — it's ultimately the director's world he's entering. He maintains that the director creates the character's arc and that the best directors adjust to what is happening with the actor in the moment.<ref name="Ellis"/>

Phoenix has cited [[Robert De Niro]] as one of his favorite actors and strongest acting influences. Phoenix recalled watching ''[[Raging Bull]]'' for the first time in an interview, "I think it just… awakened something in me. And I could suddenly see it through his eyes. There's a part in ''Raging Bull'' where De Niro meets a girl in between a chain-link fence. And he, you know, shakes her pinky and it's like this just beautiful little detail, it's this wonderful moment. And I think that in some ways is what I'm always looking for."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joaquin-phoenix-and-family-on-river-phoenixs-legacy-and-influence-60-minutes-2020-01-12/|title=Joaquin Phoenix and family on River Phoenix's legacy and influence|work=[[CBS News]]|first=Will|last=Croxton|date=January 12, 2020|access-date=May 29, 2021|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818144422/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joaquin-phoenix-and-family-on-river-phoenixs-legacy-and-influence-60-minutes-2020-01-12/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Other ventures==
===Music===
Phoenix has directed music videos for [[Ringside (band)|Ringside]],<ref>{{cite web| title=Tired of Feeling Sorry| url=https://www.myspace.com/ringside| publisher=Ringside| access-date=August 22, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928194515/http://www.myspace.com/ringside| archive-date=September 28, 2008| url-status=live}}</ref> [[She Wants Revenge]],<ref>{{cite web| title=Tear You Apart| url=https://www.myspace.com/shewantsrevenge| publisher=She Wants Revenge| access-date=August 22, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002094718/http://myspace.com/shewantsrevenge| archive-date=October 2, 2007| url-status=live}}</ref> [[People in Planes]],<ref>{{cite web| title=If you Talk Too Much (My Head Will Explode)| url=https://www.myspace.com/peopleinplanes| publisher=People in Planes| access-date=August 22, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012233419/http://myspace.com/peopleinplanes| archive-date=October 12, 2007| url-status=live}}</ref> [[Arckid]],<ref>{{cite web| title=I'll Stick Around| url=https://www.myspace.com/arckid| publisher=Arckid| access-date=August 22, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706172614/http://www.myspace.com/arckid| archive-date=July 6, 2008| url-status=live}}</ref> [[Albert Hammond Jr.]],<ref>{{cite web| title=In Transit| url=https://www.myspace.com/alberthammondjr| publisher=Albert Hammond Jr| access-date=August 22, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070903051204/http://myspace.com/alberthammondjr| archive-date=September 3, 2007| url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Silversun Pickups]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Little Lovers so Polite| url=https://www.myspace.com/silversunpickups| website=Silversun Pickups| access-date=March 10, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516175947/http://myspace.com/silversunpickups| archive-date=May 16, 2008| url-status=live}}</ref> He was said to have produced the opening track for [[Pusha T]]'s ''[[My Name Is My Name]]'' album alongside [[Kanye West]]. The track is called "King Push". Phoenix then denied in a statement to ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' having produced the record, saying, "While it was widely reported that Pusha T used my beat and that I produced his song, I can't take any credit. A friend's son played me his music, and all I did was make an introduction to Kanye [West]'s camp."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25638/joaquin-phoenix-denies-producing-pusha-t-s-king-push-|title=Joaquin Phoenix denies producing Pusha T's King Push| access-date=May 1, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230033511/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25638/joaquin-phoenix-denies-producing-pusha-t-s-king-push-|archive-date=December 30, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Animal rights activism===
Phoenix is identified as one of the most active celebrities in the [[animal rights movement]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/pbn-interview-vegan-oscar-winner-joaquin-phoenix/|title=EXCLUSIVE: PBN Interview With Vegan Oscar-Winner Joaquin Phoenix|work=Plant Based News|first=Klaus|last=Mitchell|date=December 7, 2020|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614082432/https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/pbn-interview-vegan-oscar-winner-joaquin-phoenix/|url-status=live}}</ref> A vegan since age three, he does not wear any clothes made out of animal skin; he requests that all of his leather costumes in films are made from synthetic materials.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.peta.org/features/joaquin-phoenix-is-beautifully-suited/|title=Joaquin Phoenix Brings Anti-Wool Message to Columbus|work=[[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]]|date=September 23, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512175450/https://www.peta.org/features/joaquin-phoenix-is-beautifully-suited/|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web| url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/vegan/joaquin-phoenix-vegan-ambassador-1003699.html| title=10 Times Joaquin Phoenix has been a fine ambassador for veganism| website=Female First| date=October 28, 2016| access-date=June 13, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718153836/http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/vegan/joaquin-phoenix-vegan-ambassador-1003699.html| archive-date=July 18, 2017| url-status=live}}</ref> Phoenix has said that animal rights are one of the most important pillars in his life, and maintains that "climate change is imminent if we do not adopt a plant-based lifestyle".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://plantbasednews.org/culture/film/joaquin-phoenix-discusses-cow-rescue-and-reunion-in-short-film/|title=Joaquin Phoenix Documentary Details Slaughterhouse Cow Rescue And Impact Of Animal Agriculture|work=Plant Based News|first=Emily|last=Baker|date=April 21, 2021|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428030943/https://plantbasednews.org/culture/film/joaquin-phoenix-discusses-cow-rescue-and-reunion-in-short-film/|url-status=live}}</ref> He has helped raise awareness of the correlation between animal rights, climate change and health issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vegnews.com/2020/10/joaquin-phoenix-on-veganism-the-environment-and-social-justice-a-vegnews-exclusive-interview|title=JOAQUIN PHOENIX ON VEGANISM, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE: A VEGNEWS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW|work=[[VegNews]]|first=Jasmin|last=Singer|date=October 15, 2020|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=July 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718123938/https://vegnews.com/2020/10/joaquin-phoenix-on-veganism-the-environment-and-social-justice-a-vegnews-exclusive-interview|url-status=live}}</ref>

Phoenix has received praise and accolades from animal rights groups, with [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]] naming him "Person of the Year" in 2019. PETA's president, [[Ingrid Newkirk]] said in a statement: "Joaquin Phoenix never misses an opportunity to turn the spotlight away from himself and onto animals' plight and to set a great example of walking the vegan walk".<ref name=petapersonoftheyear>{{cite news| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/joaquin-phoenix-named-peta-person-year-1258635| title=Joaquin Phoenix Named PETA Person of the Year (Exclusive)| first=Etan| last=Vlessing| newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter| language=en| date=December 2, 2019| access-date=December 2, 2019| archive-date=September 22, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922153132/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/joaquin-phoenix-named-peta-person-year-1258635| url-status=live}}</ref> He has been an active supporter of numerous animal rights organizations, including PETA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.peta.org/features/joaquin-phoenix-is-beautifully-suited/|title=Joaquin Phoenix Brings Anti-Wool Message to Columbus|work=[[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]]|date=September 23, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512175450/https://www.peta.org/features/joaquin-phoenix-is-beautifully-suited/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Quote box
| width = 25%
| align = right
| quote = "We go into the natural world, and we plunder it for its resources. We feel entitled to artificially inseminate a cow, and when she gives birth, we steal her baby, even though her cries of anguish are unmistakable. Then we take her milk that's intended for her calf, and we put it in our coffee and our cereal. And I think we fear the idea of personal change because we think that we have to sacrifice something, to give something up, but human beings, at our best, are so inventive and creative and ingenious. And I think that when we use love and compassion as our guiding principles, we can create, develop and implement systems of change that are beneficial to all sentient beings and to the environment."
| source = {{mdash}}Phoenix during his acceptance speech at the [[92nd Academy Awards|2020 Academy Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/transcript-joaquin-phoenixs-speech-at-2020-oscars-1278278/|title=Oscars: Read Joaquin Phoenix's Best Actor Speech|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|first=Christy|last=Piña|date=February 9, 2020|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=September 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904225044/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/transcript-joaquin-phoenixs-speech-at-2020-oscars-1278278/|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
Throughout the years, Phoenix has headlined numerous campaigns for different organizations to help promote veganism and end animal slaughter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/pets/joaquin-phoenix-peta-new-vegan-campaign/|title=Joaquin Phoenix Encourages Animal Lovers to 'Change the World From Your Kitchen' by Going Vegan|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|first=Kelli|last=Bender|date=August 24, 2020|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=August 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803185138/https://people.com/pets/joaquin-phoenix-peta-new-vegan-campaign/|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web|url=https://www.peta.org/media/psa/joaquin-phoenix-drowns/|title=Joaquin Phoenix: Drowns|work=[[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]]|date=February 11, 2013|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=May 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523105316/https://www.peta.org/media/psa/joaquin-phoenix-drowns/|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web|url=https://www.peta.org/features/joaquin-dog-leather-video/|title=Joaquin Phoenix Shares Disturbing Video|work=[[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]]|date=February 23, 2015|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=May 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523105317/https://www.peta.org/features/joaquin-dog-leather-video/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, Phoenix and his partner [[Rooney Mara]] led the National Animal Rights Day demonstration to help spread awareness for animal rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/joaquin-phoenix-and-rooney-mara-carry-dead-animals-in-protest-142315094.html|title=Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara carry dead animals in protest|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]|first=Hanna|last=Flint|date=June 4, 2019|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=May 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523105334/https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/joaquin-phoenix-and-rooney-mara-carry-dead-animals-in-protest-142315094.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 10, 2020, Phoenix was arrested with actress [[Jane Fonda]] at a climate change protest outside the [[United States Capitol]] in Washington, D.C. At the protest, Phoenix spoke about the link between [[Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture|animal agriculture and climate change]].<ref>{{cite magazine| url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/joaquin-phoenix-martin-sheen-among-those-arrested-as-jane-fonda-leads-final-d-c-climate-protest-1202826701/| title=Joaquin Phoenix, Martin Sheen Among Those Arrested As Jane Fonda Leads Final D.C. Climate Protest| last=Johnson| first=Ted| magazine=Deadline Hollywood| date=January 10, 2020| access-date=January 10, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110210319/https://deadline.com/2020/01/joaquin-phoenix-martin-sheen-among-those-arrested-as-jane-fonda-leads-final-d-c-climate-protest-1202826701/| archive-date=January 10, 2020| url-status=live}}</ref>

Phoenix has also been vocal in drawing attention to the suffering of fish, which he sees as a neglected cause in the sphere of animal rights. Fish, says Phoenix, are the "last thing besides insects that people don’t really consider".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vegnews.com/joaquin-phoenix-on-veganism-the-environment-and-social-justice-a-vegnews-exclusive-interview/|title=Joaquin Phoenix on Veganism, the Environment, and Social Justice: A VegNews Exclusive Interview|work=[[VegNews]]|first=Jasmin|last=Singer|date=October 28, 2022|access-date=Dec 22, 2024}}</ref> Phoenix's views were shaped by a childhood incident in which he saw fish brutally flung against the side of the boat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vegnews.com/joaquin-phoenix-on-veganism-the-environment-and-social-justice-a-vegnews-exclusive-interview/|title=Joaquin Phoenix on Veganism, the Environment, and Social Justice: A VegNews Exclusive Interview|work=[[VegNews]]|first=Jasmin|last=Singer|date=October 28, 2022|access-date=Dec 22, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.peta.org/features/joaquin-phoenix-drowning/|title=Joaquin Phoenix is 'Drowning'|work=[[PETA]]|date=2013|access-date=Dec 22, 2024}}</ref> In 2013, he simulated drowning in a 41-second [[PETA]] spot, designed to dramatise how fish suffer in the final moments of their lives. The video was shot by photographer Michael Muller.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.peta.org/features/joaquin-phoenix-drowning/|title=Joaquin Phoenix is 'Drowning'|work=[[PETA]]|date=2013|access-date=Dec 22, 2024}}></ref>     

During the 2019–20 [[Film awards seasons|awards season]], amid protesting for animal rights, Phoenix had been driving a behind-the-scenes movement that transformed five events to meat-free menus, beginning with the [[Golden Globe Awards]]. He acknowledged the [[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]] during his acceptance speech, for its "very bold move making tonight plant-based. It really sends a powerful message." Soon after, [[Critics' Choice Movie Awards|Critics' Choice]] and [[Screen Actors Guild Awards|SAG]] followed suit. Phoenix contacted the presidents of the award ceremonies, accompanied by signatures from the likes of fellow nominees [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] and [[Phoebe Waller-Bridge]]. Phoenix's pitch was that meat agriculture is a leading cause of climate change and that the televised spectacles should use their platforms to address pressing societal issues. The [[Academy Awards]] later announced that all food served at the [[Dolby Theatre]] before the Oscars was going to be vegan. Lisa Lange, Senior Vice President of Communications at PETA, spoke of Phoenix's power saying "He knows what can be done. He knows he's in a good position to push. He enlists friends. And it works. He can have influence in Hollywood and it influences the rest of the world."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/how-joaquin-phoenix-vegan-ized-awards-season-1275760/|title=How Joaquin Phoenix Vegan-ized Awards Season Behind the Scenes|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|first=Gary|last=Baum|date=February 4, 2020|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=July 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722000453/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/how-joaquin-phoenix-vegan-ized-awards-season-1275760/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A day after winning the [[Academy Award for Best Actor]], and subsequently delivering a headlining acceptance speech in which he spoke to the plight of mother cows and their babies used in animal agriculture, Phoenix helped to rescue a cow and her newborn calf from a Los Angeles slaughterhouse. They were taken to [[Farm Sanctuary]], an animal sanctuary and advocacy organization, where they will live out the rest of their lives.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.farmsanctuary.org/news-stories/joaquin-phoenix-rescues-cow-calf/|title=Joaquin Phoenix Rescues Mother Cow and Newborn Calf Day after Academy Awards Win|work=[[Farm Sanctuary]]|date=February 21, 2020|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=August 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814135839/https://www.farmsanctuary.org/news-stories/joaquin-phoenix-rescues-cow-calf/|url-status=live}}</ref> The same month, he starred in ''Guardians of Life'', the first of twelve short films by the environmental organization [[Mobilize Earth]] that highlighted the most pressing issues facing humanity and the natural world. Funds raised by the project went to [[Amazon Watch]] and [[Extinction Rebellion]].<ref name="Reuters 6 Feb 2020">{{cite news| last=Green| first=Matthew| title='Joker' star Phoenix takes aim at climate apathy with film about dying Earth| website=[[Reuters]]| date=February 6, 2020| url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-climate-change-film-phoenix/joker-star-phoenix-takes-aim-at-climate-apathy-with-film-about-dying-earth-idUKKBN2001YU| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207133655/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-climate-change-film-phoenix/joker-star-phoenix-takes-aim-at-climate-apathy-with-film-about-dying-earth-idUKKBN2001YU| archive-date=February 7, 2020| url-status=dead| access-date=February 7, 2020}}</ref> Dávid Szőke and Sándor Kiss in [[Film International]] were highly critical of this move, arguing that "what is rather mind-boggling is that the discourse centers less on the issue of the calf and its mother or the exploitation of our natural world, and more on Phoenix in the leading role as the savior of our planet, raising questions about the narrative’s alignment with his environmental activism."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://filmint.nu/jack-cooper-stimpsons-extinction-and-shaun-monsons-guardians-of-life-2020-david-szoke-and-sandor-kiss/|title=Environmental Action in Opposite Directions: Extinction (2019) and Guardians of Life (2020)|last1=Szőke|first1= Dávid|last2=Kiss|first2=Sándor|date=February 18, 2024|work=Film International|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219065739/http://filmint.nu/jack-cooper-stimpsons-extinction-and-shaun-monsons-guardians-of-life-2020-david-szoke-and-sandor-kiss/|archive-date=February 19, 2024|access-date=February 19, 2024}}</ref>

Two animal species have been named after him. In 2011, a [[trilobite]] species was named ''Gladiatoria phoenix'' for his iconic role in the 2000 film [[Gladiator (2000 film)|''Gladiator'']], and in 2020, a spider species endemic to Iran was named ''[[Loureedia phoenixi]]'' (also known as the Joker spider) due to its color pattern matching the DC Comics character [[Joker (character)|Joker]], for his role in the 2019 film ''[[Joker (2019 film)|Joker]]''.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Adrain|first1=Jonathan M.|last2=McAdams|first2=Neo E.B.|last3=Westrop|first3=Stephen R.|year=2011|title=Affinities of the Lower Ordovician (Tulean; lower Floian) trilobite ''Gladiatoria'', with species from the Great Basin, western United States|journal=Memoirs of the Association of Australasian Palaeontologists|volume=42|pages=321–367|url=https://myweb.uiowa.edu/jadrain/resources/Adrainetal2011b.pdf|access-date=April 16, 2021|archive-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416112718/https://myweb.uiowa.edu/jadrain/resources/Adrainetal2011b.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first1=A. |last1=Zamani |first2=Y.M. |last2=Marusik |year=2020 |title=A new and easternmost species of ''Loureedia'' (Aranei: Eresidae) from Iran |journal=Arthropoda Selecta |volume=29 |issue=2 |pages=239–243 |doi=10.15298/arthsel.29.2.09 |doi-access=free |url=https://kmkjournals.com/upload/PDF/ArthropodaSelecta/29/29_2_239_243_Zamani_Marusik_for_Inet.pdf |access-date=April 24, 2021 |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423222716/https://kmkjournals.com/upload/PDF/ArthropodaSelecta/29/29_2_239_243_Zamani_Marusik_for_Inet.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Weisberger|first=Mindy|date=June 2020|title=Scientists discover spider wearing 'Joker' makeup, name it after Joaquin Phoenix|url=https://www.livescience.com/joker-spider-joaquin-phoenix.html|access-date=June 30, 2020|website=livescience.com|archive-date=June 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629233821/https://www.livescience.com/joker-spider-joaquin-phoenix.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Other activism===
In 2020, Phoenix collaborated with [[JusticeLA]] to create a public service announcement #SuingToSaveLives about the health of people in L.A. County jails amid the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Moniuszko|first=Sara M.|title=Natalie Portman, Gabrielle Union and Joaquin Phoenix join all-star PSA for jail reform amid COVID-19|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/09/24/gabrielle-union-natalie-portman-join-covid-psa-jail-reform/3518083001/|access-date=June 16, 2021|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US|archive-date=June 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628051132/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/09/24/gabrielle-union-natalie-portman-join-covid-psa-jail-reform/3518083001/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Perez|first=Lexy|date=September 24, 2020|title=Natalie Portman, Gabrielle Union, Joaquin Phoenix Lead #SuingToSaveLives PSA for COVID-19 Response Coalition (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/natalie-portman-gabrielle-union-joaquin-phoenix-lead-suingtosavelives-psa-for-covid-19-response-coalition-4066236/|access-date=June 16, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=June 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627194209/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/natalie-portman-gabrielle-union-joaquin-phoenix-lead-suingtosavelives-psa-for-covid-19-response-coalition-4066236/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2023, Phoenix signed an open letter by artists to President [[Joe Biden]] calling for a ceasefire during the [[Gaza war]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Celebrities call for ceasefire, decry civilian deaths: Hollywood reacts to Israel-Hamas war |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2023/10/16/israeli-palestinian-conflict-celebrity-reactions/71206600007/ |work=USA Today |date=October 16, 2023}}</ref> The letter reads: "We believe all life is sacred, no matter faith or ethnicity and we condemn the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians."<ref>{{cite news |title=Hollywood stars urge Biden to push for ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/21/hollywood-stars-urge-biden-to-push-for-ceasefire-in-israel-hamas-war |work=Al Jazeera |date=October 21, 2023}}</ref> In May 2025, Phoenix was one of 370 Hollywood figures to sign an open letter condemning the film industry for its "silence" on the [[Gaza genocide]] and Israel's killing of [[Fatma Hassona]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2025/film/global/joaquin-phoenix-juliette-binoche-riz-ahmed-sign-gaza-leter-1236399215/|title=Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Juliette Binoche, Riz Ahmed and Guillermo del Toro Among Additional Names to Sign Open Letter Condemning Industry Silence Over Gaza (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Ritman|first=Alex|date=May 15, 2025|work=Variety}}</ref>

==Personal life==
===Views and lifestyle===
After reestablishing himself as an actor in the mid-1990s, Phoenix moved back to [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles]].<ref name="Ellis"/> He is known for his disdain of [[celebrity culture]], rarely granting interviews, and being reticent about discussing his private life.<ref name="Esquire"/><ref name="Cooper"/> In 2018, he described himself as a [[Jewish secularism|secular Jew]] who did not affiliate with any organized religion; one of his "core values" is the idea of forgiveness.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/joaquin-phoenix-talks-faith-forgiveness-mary-magdalene-portraying-women-in-positive-way.html|title=Joaquin Phoenix Talks Faith, Forgiveness, 'Mary Magdalene' Portraying Women in 'Positive Way'|work=[[The Christian Post]]|first=Stoyan|last=Zaimov|date=March 19, 2018|access-date=May 22, 2021|archive-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521223752/https://www.christianpost.com/news/joaquin-phoenix-talks-faith-forgiveness-mary-magdalene-portraying-women-in-positive-way.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He has also claimed that his mother believes in Jesus, though his parents were not religious. While portraying Jesus in the 2018 movie ''[[Mary Magdalene (2018 film)|Mary Magdalene]]'', he expressed that the role changed his perspective on the nature of forgiveness.<ref>{{cite news |first=Stoyan |last=Zaimov |date=March 19, 2018 |title=Joaquin Phoenix Talks Faith, Forgiveness, 'Mary Magdalene' Portraying Women in 'Positive Way' |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/joaquin-phoenix-talks-faith-forgiveness-mary-magdalene-portraying-women-in-positive-way.html |newspaper=[[The Christian Post]] |access-date=October 14, 2021 |quote="My parents believed in God. I'm Jewish, my mom's Jewish, but she believes in Jesus, she felt a connection to that{{nbsp}}... But they were never religious. I don't remember going to church, maybe a couple of times." And getting to play Jesus changed his perspective on what forgiveness means. |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028170525/https://www.christianpost.com/amp/joaquin-phoenix-talks-faith-forgiveness-mary-magdalene-portraying-women-in-positive-way.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In early April 2005, Phoenix checked himself into rehab to be treated for alcoholism.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joaquin-phoenix-checks-into-rehab/ |title=Joaquin Phoenix Checks into Rehab |access-date=January 2, 2009 |work=[[CBS News]] |date=April 13, 2005 |archive-date=May 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524022653/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/13/entertainment/main687706.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Twelve years later, he revealed that he did not need an [[Intervention (counseling)|intervention]]: "I really just thought of myself as a [[Hedonism|hedonist]]. I was an actor in L.A. I wanted to have a good time. But I wasn't engaging with the world or myself in the way I wanted to". On January 26, 2006, while driving down a winding canyon road in Hollywood, Phoenix veered off the road and flipped his car.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Celebretainment|first=By|title=Joaquin Phoenix saved from flames by Werner Herzog|url=https://www.celebretainment.com/movies/joaquin-phoenix-saved-from-flames-by-werner-herzog/article_f6190dc0-edb8-58c7-85eb-5b1eec529c61.html|access-date=May 8, 2021|website=Celebretainment|date=April 6, 2017|language=en|archive-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508135423/https://www.celebretainment.com/movies/joaquin-phoenix-saved-from-flames-by-werner-herzog/article_f6190dc0-edb8-58c7-85eb-5b1eec529c61.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The crash was reportedly caused by brake failure. Shaken and confused, he heard someone tapping on his window and telling him to "just relax". Unable to see the man, Phoenix replied, "I'm fine. I am relaxed." The man replied, "No, you're not." The man then stopped Phoenix from lighting a cigarette while gasoline was leaking into the car cabin. Phoenix realized that the man was German filmmaker [[Werner Herzog]]. While Herzog helped Phoenix out of the wreckage by breaking the back window of the car, bystanders called an ambulance. Phoenix later approached Herzog to express his gratitude.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Joaquin-Phoenix-rescued-from-car-crash-by-director-Werner-Herzog-17481.shtml |title=Joaquin Phoenix Rescued from Car Crash by Director Werner Herzog |first=Adina |last=Gheorghe |date=February 3, 2006|work=[[Softpedia]] |access-date=February 22, 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216000511/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Joaquin-Phoenix-rescued-from-car-crash-by-director-Werner-Herzog-17481.shtml |archive-date=February 16, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=August 24, 2010 |title=My Son My Son, What Have Ye Done – Werner Herzog |medium=Video-recorded Interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQzvpnmh4H8 |access-date=February 11, 2020 |publisher=[[Alchemy (company)|Millennium Entertainment]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215071448/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQzvpnmh4H8 |archive-date=February 15, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2012, Phoenix labeled the [[Academy Awards]] "bullshit". He later gave an interview apologizing for his comments and acknowledged that the awards provided an important platform for many deserving filmmakers.<ref>{{cite journal| url=http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/joaquin-phoenix#page2| title=Joaquin Phoenix| journal=[[Interview (magazine)|Interview]]| last=Mitchell| first=Elvis| date=October 10, 2012| access-date=April 30, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416054758/http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/joaquin-phoenix#page2| archive-date=April 16, 2015| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite news| author=Husam Sam Asi| title=Joaquin Phoenix: Actors don't deserve credit for their performance| url=http://ukscreen.com/articles/joaquin-phoenix-actors-dont-deserve-credit-for-their-performance/|access-date=July 3, 2013| website=UK Screen| date=October 27, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429023344/http://ukscreen.com/articles/joaquin-phoenix-actors-dont-deserve-credit-for-their-performance/| archive-date=April 29, 2013| url-status=live}}</ref> He elaborated on the topic while on ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' in 2015, explaining that he was uncomfortable receiving accolades for his work, considering the filmmaking process a collaborative one.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQdJ8C2hfLw| title=Joaquin Phoenix on Awards| date=January 9, 2015|access-date=April 30, 2015| website=YouTube| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115162439/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQdJ8C2hfLw| archive-date=January 15, 2015| url-status=live}}</ref>

A longtime vegan, Phoenix finds [[Animal husbandry|animal agriculture]] "absurd and barbaric". He explained his reasoning behind his [[veganism]]: "To me, it just seems obvious—I don't want to cause pain to another living empathetic creature. I don't want to take its babies away from it, I don't want to force it to be indoors and fattened up just to be slaughtered. Certainly, also, the effect that it has on our environment is devastating. So, for me, it's my life and has always been my life, and it's really one of the most important things to me."<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 24, 2020 |title=Joaquin Phoenix Brands Animal Agriculture 'Absurd And Barbaric' - Vegan News, Plant Based Living, Food, Health & more |newspaper=Plant Based News |url=https://plantbasednews.org/news/joaquin-phoenix-animal-agriculture-absurd-barbaric/ |access-date=April 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924210407/https://plantbasednews.org/news/joaquin-phoenix-animal-agriculture-absurd-barbaric/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |last1=Chiorando |first1=Maria }}</ref>

Phoenix is on the board of directors for [[The Lunchbox Fund]], a non-profit organization which provides daily meals to students of township schools in [[Soweto]], South Africa, founded by [[Topaz Page-Green]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://goldenglobehonors.com/global-honors/golden-globe-honors/joaquin-phoenix|title=JOAQUIN PHOENIX|work=[[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]]|access-date=May 19, 2021|archive-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519193649/https://goldenglobehonors.com/global-honors/golden-globe-honors/joaquin-phoenix|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Relationships and family===
From 1995 to 1998, Phoenix dated his ''[[Inventing the Abbotts]]'' co-star [[Liv Tyler]]. The two remain close friends, with Tyler considering Phoenix and his sisters as her family.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/interviews/a31492/liv-tyler-the-leftovers/|title=Liv Tyler On How To Attend A Party Hosted By Your Ex|work=[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]]|first=FARAN|last=KRENTCIL|date=October 27, 2015|access-date=May 19, 2021|archive-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519195708/https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/interviews/a31492/liv-tyler-the-leftovers/|url-status=live}}</>{{cite journal| url=http://www.people.com/people/liv_tyler/biography/| title=Liv Tyler Biography| journal=[[People (magazine)|People]]| access-date=April 30, 2015| archive-date=August 29, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829181452/http://www.people.com/people/liv_tyler/biography/| url-status=dead}}<br />{{cite web|url=https://www.instyle.com/news/tbt-joaquin-phoenix-liv-tyler-relationship|title=Joaquin Phoenix and Liv Tyler Kept Their Relationship a Secret on the Set of Their 1997 Film|work=[[InStyle]]|first=Isabel|last=Jones|date=October 10, 2019|access-date=May 19, 2021|archive-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519195333/https://www.instyle.com/news/tbt-joaquin-phoenix-liv-tyler-relationship|url-status=live}}</ref> He was romantically involved with South African model [[Topaz Page-Green]] from 2001 to 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/rooney-mara-gives-birth-to-1st-child-with-fiance-joaquin-phoenix/|title=Rooney Mara Gives Birth, Welcomes 1st Child With Fiance Joaquin Phoenix|work=[[Us Weekly]]|first=Riley|last=Cardoza|date=September 27, 2020|access-date=May 19, 2021|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818151111/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/rooney-mara-gives-birth-to-1st-child-with-fiance-joaquin-phoenix/|url-status=live}}</ref> From 2013 to 2015 he was in a relationship with artist [[Allie Teilz]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Takeda |first=Allison |date=2013-11-14 |title=Joaquin Phoenix New Girlfriend: Actor Dating DJ Allie Teilz |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/joaquin-phoenix-39-dating-dj-allie-teilz-20-see-a-picture-20131411/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Us Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref> 

In 2012, Phoenix met ''[[Her (2013 film)|Her]]'' co-star [[Rooney Mara]]. The two remained friends and began a romantic relationship four years later, during the making of ''[[Mary Magdalene (2018 film)|Mary Magdalene]]''.<ref name="Hagan"/><ref>{{cite magazine| url=http://people.com/movies/rooney-mara-joaquin-phoenix-cannes/| title=Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix Go Public as a Couple at Cannes Closing Ceremony| magazine=People| first=Jody| last=Guglielmi| date=May 29, 2017| access-date=May 29, 2017| archive-date=March 1, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301111026/https://people.com/movies/rooney-mara-joaquin-phoenix-cannes/| url-status=live}}</ref> They were engaged to be married in 2019.<ref>{{cite magazine| url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/rooney-mara-joaquin-phoenix| title=Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix Are Engaged| magazine=[[W (magazine)|W]]| last=Silver| first=Jocelyn| date=July 22, 2019| access-date=September 3, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724165012/https://www.wmagazine.com/story/rooney-mara-joaquin-phoenix| archive-date=July 24, 2019| url-status=live}}<br />{{cite magazine| last=Davis| first=Jessica| date=May 19, 2020| title=Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix reportedly expecting first child| url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/celebrities/news/a32593456/rooney-mara-and-joaquin-phoenix-are-having-a-baby/| magazine=[[Harper's Bazaar]]| access-date=March 7, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530202357/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/celebrities/news/a32593456/rooney-mara-and-joaquin-phoenix-are-having-a-baby/| archive-date=May 30, 2020| url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2020, the couple had a son.<ref>{{cite news| last=Pearce| first=Tilly| date=September 27, 2020| title=Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara 'welcome a baby boy named River' after actor's late brother| url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/09/27/joaquin-phoenix-and-rooney-mara-welcome-a-baby-boy-named-river-after-actors-late-brother-13335359/| work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]| access-date=March 7, 2021| archive-date=August 18, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818150159/https://metro.co.uk/2020/09/27/joaquin-phoenix-and-rooney-mara-welcome-a-baby-boy-named-river-after-actors-late-brother-13335359/| url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2024, they welcomed their daughter named Sparrow.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/rooney-mara-is-pregnant-expecting-baby-no-2-with-joaquin-phoenix-8584590|title=Rooney Mara Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby No. 2 with Joaquin Phoenix|first=Nicholas|last=Rice|date=February 18, 2024|accessdate=February 18, 2024}}</ref> They reside in the [[Hollywood Hills]]. In September 2024, Phoenix referred to Mara as his "wife" during an interview on the podcast Talk Easy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://talkeasypod.com/joaquin-phoenix/ |title="The Joaquin Phoenix Interview"|date=2024-09-29}}</ref>

Phoenix has described his family life as simple. He enjoys meditating, watching documentaries, reading scripts, and taking karate classes. He has a [[Black belt (martial arts)|black belt]] in karate.<ref name="Ellis"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.coleman-rayner.com/candids/joaquin-phoenix-goes-from-the-joker-to-karate-kid/|title=From The Joker to Karate Kid! Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix adds karate back belt to his long list of awards|work=Coleman-Rayner|access-date=May 19, 2021|archive-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519200039/https://www.coleman-rayner.com/candids/joaquin-phoenix-goes-from-the-joker-to-karate-kid/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Acting credits and accolades==
{{Main| Joaquin Phoenix filmography|List of awards and nominations received by Joaquin Phoenix}}
Phoenix has been recognized by the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] for the following performances:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/joaquin-phoenix-oscar-best-actor-joker-1203497086/|title=Joaquin Phoenix Thanks Oscar Crowd for 'Second Chance': 'I've Been Selfish, I've Been Cruel'|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first1=J.Kim|last1=Murphy|first2=Adam B.|last2=Vary|date=February 9, 2020|access-date=May 26, 2021|archive-date=May 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526193743/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/joaquin-phoenix-oscar-best-actor-joker-1203497086/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[73rd Academy Awards]] (2001): [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]], nomination, as Commodus in ''Gladiator''
*[[78th Academy Awards]] (2006): [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]], nomination, as John R. "Johnny" Cash in ''Walk the Line''
*[[85th Academy Awards]] (2013): Best Actor, nomination, as Freddie Quell in ''The Master''
*[[92nd Academy Awards]] (2020): Best Actor, win, as [[Joker (Arthur Fleck)|Arthur Fleck / Joker]] in ''Joker''

Phoenix has won two [[Golden Globe Awards]]: [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy|Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy]] for ''Walk the Line'' and [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama|Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama]] for ''Joker'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/joaquin-phoenix|title=Joaquin Phoenix|publisher=[[Golden Globes]]|access-date=May 26, 2021|archive-date=May 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526180446/https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/joaquin-phoenix|url-status=live}}</ref> a [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]] and a [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role]] for ''Joker''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-51324805 |title=Baftas 2020: Sam Mendes film 1917 dominates awards |date=February 2, 2020 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |access-date=February 2, 2020 |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210074855/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-51324805 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/joaquin-phoenix-dedicates-sag-award-win-fellow-joker-actor-heath-ledger-1271063/|title=Joaquin Phoenix Dedicates SAG Award Win to Actor Nominees and Fellow Joker Actor Heath Ledger|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|first=Abbey|last=White|date=January 19, 2020|access-date=May 26, 2021|archive-date=August 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814134800/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/joaquin-phoenix-dedicates-sag-award-win-fellow-joker-actor-heath-ledger-1271063/|url-status=live}}</ref> Phoenix was awarded the [[Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media]] for the ''Walk The Line'' soundtrack.<ref name="Joaquin Phoenix"/> He has also won the [[Volpi Cup for Best Actor]] for ''The Master'' and the [[Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor]] for ''You Were Never Really Here''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/festivals/cannes-film-festival-2017-award-winners-palme-d-or-1202446856/ |title=2017 Cannes Film Festival Award Winners Announced |first=Peter |last=Debruge |date=May 28, 2017 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |work=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528204621/http://variety.com/2017/film/festivals/cannes-film-festival-2017-award-winners-palme-d-or-1202446856/ |archive-date=May 28, 2017 |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite journal| last=Waxman| first=Sharon| url=https://www.thewrap.com/awards/article/pieta-master-win-top-venice-prizes-55486| title='Pieta,' 'The Master' Win Top Venice Prizes&nbsp;– Jury Shifts Votes| journal=[[TheWrap]]| date=September 8, 2012| access-date=September 9, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910232809/http://www.thewrap.com/awards/article/pieta-master-win-top-venice-prizes-55486| archive-date=September 10, 2012| url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Puerto Rico|Film}}
* [[List of actors with Academy Award nominations]]
* [[List of actors with two or more Academy Award nominations in acting categories]]
* [[List of Academy Award–winning families#Siblings with acting nominations|List of siblings with Academy Award acting nominations]]
* [[List of Jewish Academy Award winners and nominees]]
* [[List of Puerto Ricans]]
* [[List of animal rights advocates]]
* [[List of vegans]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|1618}}
* {{tcmdb name|id=152012|name=Joaquin Phoenix}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes person|leaf_phoenix}}

{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Joaquin Phoenix|Awards for Joaquin Phoenix]]
|list =
{{Academy Award Best Actor}}
{{Astra Film Award for Best Actor}}
{{BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role}}
{{Prix d'interprétation masculine 2000–2019}}
{{Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actor}}
{{Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor}}
{{Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor}}
{{Golden Globe Award Best Actor Motion Picture Drama}}
{{GoldenGlobeAwardBestActorMotionPictureMusicalComedy 2001-2020}}
{{Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Combo}}
{{London Film Critics Circle Award for Actor of the Year}}
{{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}
{{National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor}}
{{San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor}}
{{San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor}}
{{ScreenActorsGuildAward MaleLeadMotionPicture}}
{{Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor}}
{{Volpi Cup for Best Actor}}
}}
{{Animal rights|advocates}}
{{Subject bar|auto=y|commons=Category:Joaquin Phoenix|d=y}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Phoenix, Joaquin}}
[[Category:Joaquin Phoenix| ]]
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