Every Best Actor Oscar Movie Winner Of The 21st Century Ranked

Who should have won: Adam Driver - Marriage Story.

In a film that proved divisive before it was even released, Joker's detractors were easily swayed by the central performance of Joaquin Phoenix, who infuses the DC villain with a level of humanity and tragedy never seen before.

Ignoring the revelatory work of Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger, Phoenix takes his own stance on the Clown Prince of Crime, by exploring his what-might-have-been origin story as an horrific fall from grace, as well as a bold portrayal of mental health and insurmountable grief.

Ledger will always be seen as the best Joker by most, but Phoenix easily gives the character more authenticity than any actor before him. It's a haunting performance that stands as one of Phoenix's finest hours, even if he snubbed Adam Driver.