A prime example is the subject of this article: Inherent Vice, a 2014 film based on the 2009 novel by Thomas Pynchon. Inherent Vice: Cast, Plot & StorylineApart from Joaquin Phoenix, Inherent Vice also stars Owen Wilson and Josh Brolin in pivotal roles. You will have to decide for yourself after watching Inherent Vice. Why You Should Watch Joaquin Phoenix’s Inherent Vice? Viewers can derive different meanings from the story and its characters, making Inherent Vice a truly unique cinematic experience.