The drama genre dominates new releases hitting theaters near you this weekend.

In the crime drama “Joker,” Joaquin Phoenix stars as a man-in-crisis who longs to belong and fit in. As his quest for a meaningful life unfolds, he will devolve into a clown prince of violence and darkness.

Meanwhile, in the sci-fi drama”Lucy in the Sky,” Natalie Portman stars as an astronaut who appears to have lost her grip on reality upon her return home from a space mission.

Here’s what to see and what to skip this weekend:

Movies Out This Weekend

“Joker” — Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro; directed by Todd Phillips

A gritty, allegorical character study and a wide-ranging cautionary tale, “Joker” is writer-director Todd Phillips’ original vision of the infamous DC Comics antihero. In other words, it is a standalone origins story that owes no allegiance to the character’s traditional mythologies.

So, comics fans, beware! This is not your typical Joker film. Rather, it is an exploration of one man’s personal struggles to belong and fit in. And when he finally does find his rightful place, he becomes the “Joker,” the clown prince of darkness and violence.

Embodied by Joaquin Phoenix, that man is Arthur Fleck, a clown-for-hire who loves to make people laugh — and who aspires to become a successful stand-up comic like his idol, Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro).

Arthur’s best friend is his mom (Frances Conroy), who always tells him to “smile and put on a happy face.” And he does it with great bravado, despite his struggles with mental illness — and his bouts with uncontrollable laugh syndrome, which can erupt anytime, anywhere.

As Arthur tries to forge his own destiny in 1980s’ Gotham City, he will cross paths with bullies who lack empathy and compassion, leaving him in the throes of despair. Then, one day, suddenly, the man in crisis snaps! It appears Arthur has finally found his crowning moment — albeit dark!

See it. Phoenix deserves an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. His “Joker” is hypnotic from beginning to end. If you think you knew the Joker, think again!

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Watch the trailer:

“Lucy in the Sky” — Natalie Portman, Jon Hamm; directed by Noah Hawley

Based on Lisa Nowak’s story, Noah Hawley’s feature directorial debut is a loose retelling of the former astronaut’s torrid love affair gone sour. Many will recall that in February 2007, Nowak captured national headlines by driving 900 miles from Houston to Orlando to confront and kidnap her lover’s other girlfriend.

But “Lucy in the Sky” does not focus on the crime angle. Instead, it aims to offer some insights into the unraveling of Nowak, who was then 34, married and highly accomplished. Was it really jealousy that drove her to madness? Or, what if Nowak had completely lost her grip on reality because of the enormity of her space travel experience?

In the film, Natalie Portman plays Lucy Cola, an astronaut we first meet in the movie’s opening sequence as she floats alone in the immensity of space, overcome with excitement, joy and happiness. Then, within seconds, Lucy is back on Earth, feeling the mundanity of it all, where everything around her is relatively insignificant, including her husband Drew (Dan Stevens). What is she to do now in order to gain that spark back in her life?

Well, Lucy soon starts an extramarital affair with a fellow astronaut named Mark Goodwin (Jon Hamm), who eventually will have a new girlfriend named Erin (Zazie Beetz). In the end, it becomes a love triangle that Lucy can’t accept.

And so begins Lucy’s unhinged plan to kidnap Erin!

Skip it. Portman’s impressive performance can’t save a screenplay that seems to meander aimlessly. By the end, it feels empty and devoid of meaning.