Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus in Gladiator is notorious for his chilling presence, but Phoenix’s scariest line was completely improvised in the movie. As Ridley Scott ramps up production on Gladiator 2, what made the first so successful was its brutal combat scenes and an increasingly hostile rivalry between Russell Crowe’s Maximus and Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus. The core of this epic was about two men seeking what was owed to them. Maximus sought justice for his murdered family, while Commodus sought more power. Twenty years later, people continue to quote lines from the film, and one of the most memorable lines was an unscripted moment of passion from Phoenix.


Ridley Scott’s Gladiator revived the historical epic genre of films and became a cultural phenomenon for its populist message of a lowly gladiator challenging a corrupt emperor. While plenty of painful and frightening scenes demonstrate Commodus’ corruption, his most quoted lines can be attributed to Phoenix’s sheer volatile performance. Throughout Joaquin Phoenix’s career, the versatile actor has garnered acclaim for his deep commitment and experimentation within his roles. His equally explosive and vulnerable performances have earned him four Academy Award nominations, the first of which was for his portrayal of Commodus in Gladiator.

Phoenix Improvised The 'Am I Not Merciful?' Scream


One of the most iconic moments in Gladiator is when Emperor Commodus gently approaches his sister, Lucilla, and suddenly screams, “Am I not merciful?” This signature line wasn’t in the script. The scene is an explosion of bubbling tension between the two as Commodus holds Lucilla’s chin in his hand and as she carries tears in her eyes. Joaquin Phoenix improvised his scream within the scene, and actor Connie Nielsen’s jump of terror was genuine for the character Lucilla and for the actor herself. Phoenix’s delivery instills more than fear into the scene, it also reveals Commodus’ delusion of himself as a beloved emperor that rules by threatening force.

Phoenix epitomizes Commodus as his most powerful and terrifying. Commodus is a man with his enemies in the palm of his hand, he can bend society to his will and destroy anyone who dares to question him - but that’s not enough. Commodus wants to hear that he’s benevolent, but Phoenix’s anguished yell emphasizes that he demands it. The juxtaposition between Commodus’ question and Phoenix’s violent delivery conveys that “Am I not merciful?” is not a question at all but an ultimatum to anyone who challenges him.

How Joaquin Phoenix Made Commodus So Scary


What makes Joaquin Phoenix so frightening is his total embrace of Commodus’ delusion. As emperor, Commodus still sees himself as a victim, and as the one ordering endless death and destruction, he still believes himself as merciful. There’s no apology or remorse in his actions. Phoenix establishes the emperor as justified in his most terrible moments. He wears the emperor’s insatiable desire to be loved and feared through pouts and grimaces on his face, reminiscent of a spoiled child that has never been told no. Like a brat with all the power in the world, Phoenix portrays Commodus as erratic and inconsolable despite being given whatever he wants. The audience may know that Commodus is easily angered, but how Phoenix utilizes that anger is unexpected and keeps everyone tense at his very presence. Joaquin Phoenix’s embrace of a corrupt emperor’s vanity and volatility makes Commodus in Gladiator one of the most terrifying villains in film.