Analyzing Evil: Arthur Fleck From Joker

[@Grandmaster_Sub-Zero]

"A child who is not embraced by the village, will burn it down to feel it's warmth."

[@Passions5555]

Where is that quote from?

[@Grandmaster_Sub-Zero]

@@Passions5555 It's an old African proverb.

[@zyx7478]

That is awesome and intense

[@citizensnips2348]

@Chad Cuckmaker BLM and antifa are two completely different things. If Antifa can be said to have a motto, not being an actual organisation with structures and regulations, its motto would be 'no pasaran', as antifa was just a term people used to express solidarity in fighting fascists like Franco in Spain. No pasaran means "They won't happen/they shan't pass."

[@Aliballer]

@Chad Cuckmaker You really comparing BLM and Antifa to Nazis and the KKK. You are the intellectually dishonest one. No matter what you think of BLM it is a response to police abuses of people of color for the last 150 years. Antifa was a response to neonazis ,kkk, and other fascists/racists on the right.

[@MegaCygnusX1]

Always thought it was an awesome touch when, after he kills Miurray, Arthur walks into the blue offstage lighting which turns his red suit to purple, marking his full transformation into the Joker as we know him from the comics.

[@Noname-uw8mh]

Yo I never realized that that makes the scene 1000 times better for me now

[@emilyglass5313]

Hey, you're right! 😃 I totally missed that until now.

[@jaredwalton6445]

Deadass I saw heath ledger in that silhouette and was partly expecting to hear his voice. Was a cool twist to it.

[@archimedes5077]

Didn’t even notice that! That is badass

[@TheseUseless]

Breaking bad meets Edgar Wright level details

[@warden821]

What a fantastic character, thank god there wasn't a sequel that tore it all up out of sheer spite for the people who liked this film. I mean that would be crazy.

[@finnicvoice4974]

One detail I realized: when he gets kicked when he lies on the ground on the subway, he puts one of his hands on his groin. Usually people instinctively put their hands over their heads, but putting your hand on your groin is usually a sign of sexual abuse in the past, and the trauma associated with it.

[@KingTay-xg4mi]

Or you just protecting ya best asset he a nut he always getting hit in the head gotta protect the body and the jewels they injure different prolly better to get a good not too bad kick to ya crazy head compared to a good always very bad kick to the balls

[@sejredyr166]

Very interesting observation

[@Barfigarfi]

That’s heartbreaking

[@KingTay-xg4mi]

@@olanwomisko6116 he took it like a g too

[@TheseUseless]

Possibly his step dad (the one who beats up his mother)

[@Xehanort10]

There's a bit where Arthur looks at the clown rioters with a sad expression realising that they never cared about him only his Joker persona. I think that's why he fully becomes and embraces being The Joker.

[@andreykuzmin4355]

It is also implied (at least it's how I get it), that he'll inspire someone of the rioters to become The Joker, that will battle the Batman. After all, insanity is just like gravity: you only need a little push!

[@nont18411]

Batman can never defeat Joker because while Batman is an individual name Bruce Wayne, Joker is a state of mind created by a rotten society.

[@keith6706]

@@nont18411 That's one of the things the series _Gotham_ led to: although they did eventually have a character become _the_ Joker, he was only the last character who filled that role of homicidal madness and also, really, why the specific background of who the Joker was isn't really relevent.

[@walygisnep]

He was never Arthur. He hasn’t any identity other than Joker. “I used to think my life was a tragedy, but I realized it’s a fucking comedy.l

[@DaDunge]

@@nont18411 Except no Batman is also a mantle, the cape and cowl, passed from Bruce Wayne to Dick Grayson.

[@beefsuprem0241]

The bit in the makeup room where he asks Murray to introduce him as joker. "Because that's what you called me, a joker, do you remember" His persona changes and Murray of course doesn't pick up on it because he's a idiot. That scene is 👌

[@LegendaryDorkKnight]

Murray didn't pick up on it because he's a narcissist and not interested in understanding or empathizing with Arthur. Arthur said it on stage. Murray brought him on the show to make fun of him.

[@beefsuprem0241]

@@LegendaryDorkKnight I remember it well. Murray thinks he's a loser that's there for a cheap laugh and to exploit. He's Mr big time and Arthur is nobody. It's the entrée for the upcoming main course of Murray's head decorating the studio.

[@pauldehayes1898]

@@beefsuprem0241 that whole build-up to Murray getting his brains splattered was cinematic gold in my opinion. You could feel the tension as Arthur started to become accelerating twisted throughout the exchange. Quick, tense build-up in that moment, though the slow-burn throughout the movie is quite brilliant!

[@BrandonScott-mi5pz]

EXCELLENT WORK. THE VILE EYE 👁‍🗨

[@Sethgtb100]

"All it takes is one bad day to reduce the sanest man alive into lunacy, this is how far the world is away from where I am. One. Bad. Day"- Joker

[@GonzoShitcock]

The Killing Joke...awesome novel

[@VinEllis]

I love the reference to that quote in the movie. “I had a bad day...”

[@AzraelSoulHunter]

But at the end of the day. It wasn't a one bad day. It was an awful lot of bad days. Like Batman said "it was just him". After all Gordon never became insane.

[@Brieg_Skald]

The Killing Joke is an amazing comic.

[@ash_11117]

That’s similar to the Punisher quote

[@melindaconley3144]

He was abused as a child, his mental health was deteriorating growing up, he stopped taking his meds, found out his life was a lie, was treated horribly by society, bullied & never really had anyone.

[@rastrisfrustreslosgomez544]

@Gary Jones well you see mother are indeed a part of society

[@rastrisfrustreslosgomez544]

​@Gary Jones well that's not all there was in the movie was it? I remember he losing his meds, his job, people treating him horribly, etc. As you would put it -society fucked him up- Now stop being unreasonable!

[@rastrisfrustreslosgomez544]

@Gary Jones 1:Because he was ill 2:?? lots of people? 3:The foster care system 4: ??lots of people? 5: His abusive stepdad 6: that one's easy lots of people 7: he killed his mom because he wasn't willing to take care of her, or anyone else, any longer 8: I'm suggesting society fucked him up Arthur became the Joker because he couldn't control his psychotic impulses any longer, got unhinged and people finally started caring for him only because he murdered some dudes. Now feminism got absolutely nothing to do with being rich, nor white let alone racist. One of my best friends, a feminist black woman, absolutely loves the movie so I think you're projecting your own insecurities son no one is hiding nothing. Let's say that whatever you believe is feminism it's not, it's just a movement asking for equal civil rights and working oportunities. The only one who seems to be wanting to victimize someone is you and that someone isn't even real. Joker is NOT a victim and most certainly isn't real so instead of saying "dErPY DeRp StooPiD MOM! realize that the movie is trying to get across a message and is also very clear in that regard *You get what you deserve* _Now admit you are wrong - don't be toxic!_

[@TheKing-qz9wd]

Honestly this just sounds like Tuesday to me.

[@Thespeedrap]

@@Asylum_4 True no wonder God sent Coronavirus to this lame country.

[@danieldeclue1466]

One subtle thing that I loved about the end is that if you notice through the entire scene with him and Murray, even though he is being put under pressure by Murray and the entire audience, not once do his laughing fits take hold of him because this is the first time he doesn't really care what anyone thinks and it's a fantastic way of showing how this whole depressing scene is more empowering for him than anything

[@crumbledcookie27]

I never noticed that haha, it kinda reminds me of the scene in It (the 2017 one) where Georgie’s brother (I’m sorry I don’t remember his name) makes a mini speech when they’re in front of the abandoned abode where Penny resides and it was so meaningful to him and such a powerful moment that he got over his own mental related reflex “he didn’t stutter once)

[@NeelTheSphynx]

"I hope my death makes more cents than my life" isn't misspelled.

[@internziko]

Nice catch

[@sandraelliott4435]

Lol yes it is wtf. It should be “I hope my death makes more SENSE than my life.”

[@NeelTheSphynx]

@@sandraelliott4435 You just don't get the joke.

[@nuun-metaltheorist660]

@@sandraelliott4435 It's a pun. Cents here isn't misspelled because he's trying to be a comedian, and therefore, make money from being funny. He's trying to make *cents* as in earn cash. But obviously it works in two ways as well in that it also expresses his depression.

[@nickcosti1685]

@@internziko Don't forget that his mother is named "Penny" Fleck

[@BG.........]

Fun Fact: Joaquin improved the refrigerator scene. The producer told the crew to just keep recording to capture any "non-scripted" but in character scenes, and when he did the fridge thing, everyone just kind of sat silently, and realized how brilliant Joaquin is and how in character he really was.

[@BG.........]

Imporved as in improv...like, not scripted

[@kros5983]

@@BG............ Improvised

[@BG.........]

@@kros5983 shit. Damn auto-correct. But, guess you could say it was an improvement from the script lol

[@youngknowledgeseeker]

Bro that scene made my jaw drop.

[@maxrequisite]

Same with his dance in the bathroom after killing those 3 people. The script was much lamer than his improv.

[@hcaz5818]

The uncontrollable laughter is seriously the best live action way to do his laugh, works so well.

[@larzkruber822]

Another cool addition When he watches comedy in the club and makes his notes Slick hair, eye contact and so on... You start to understand that he has no idea what is comedy

[@josiahclarke3535]

@@larzkruber822I feel like the point is that he already thinks he is funny. He is trying to “solve” comedy by copying other standup acts; hoping that he can check off boxes on a list to success.

[@ruthiev17]

this incarnation of the joker is really the saddest. other versions kinda make the joker crazy "just because", or as a result of some chemical poisoning. this version grounds the joker far more and makes his insanity make sense. i mean he's a comic book villain, he can be bad for no reason. but i personally like for there to be one.

[@vksasdgaming9472]

Without being about The Joker it would have been so much better movie.

[@vksasdgaming9472]

@Aquarium Gravel It is good movie. Without unnecessary tie-in it would get 4,5 stars. With tie-in it is undecided three. I prefer Joker as Chaos incarnate. Abstract antithesis of Law. Arthur Fleck is not that.

[@vksasdgaming9472]

@Aquarium Gravel Arthur Fleck is just one more victim who wound up making others his victims. Most primitive method of empowerment. I personally find Joker better as mystery and antithesis. Not as hurt, lonely and angered invidual. To me Joker has four aspects: entertainer, crime boss, causeless terrorist and cult leader. He has ability to encourage dedication to his "cause".

[@justaguyonyoutube4592]

I mean Joker: TKJ, TDK Joker, Gotham Joker, and the new Batman Joker have their reasons but okay.

[@poseidaoon]

@@vksasdgaming9472 I recommand watching "the killing joke". The Joker isn't your standard villain, he isn't looking for power, money, domination, never was. He is best "villain" in Batman universe because he is amost a perfect opposite to him.The Joker is total chaos, where nothing is of value, not even his H.Quin. In the scene where he is about to blow the two fret with people, he wants most of all to show the true nature of the society "Their morals, their code; it's a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be". I think this is fitting of this origin story, a person who have been pushed way too long and far by the society. he isn't villain just because, he is a villain because he see society for what it is (in his world).He is Rorschach, Ozymandias and the comedian from watchmen combined.

[@damianstarks3338]

The events that lead Arthur to become the joker is beyond tragic no wonder he is insane.

[@damianstarks3338]

@Punk Shark yep.

[@AndrewDoom]

@Punk Shark capitalism itself isn’t the problem, it’s sociopaths engaging in crony capitalism. I agree, in most western countries mental healthcare is outrageous. A 1 month Anxiety treatment facility costs almost 30k. It’s insanity. I want to fix it more than anybody, but socialism isn’t the answer.

[@SympatheticMonster]

@@Nebula-nox Are you one of those people?

[@arraikcruor6407]

@@Nebula-nox You sound like Bill Murray. Interesting....

[@JelloFluoride]

@@Nebula-nox well said.

[@kroon275]

Arthur was never angry at the beginning, just extremely frustrated at his very sad and violent experiences. He is 100% a product of the environment that he was raised in. That's why it is actually satisfying to see him near the end actually find pleasure and meaning, even though that was found in murder and revenge.

[@mr.x2567]

@@elfsieben1450 You sound like Murray

[@Raelp-edit]

Bts that that

[@Raelp-edit]

Turkish army🤘🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷

[@willldo4]

I agree. Having grown up in a violent environment myself, it's hard to think straight because you are constantly in survival mode.

[@MarcusLeonard307]

Frustration is a form of anger.

[@reaboti3588]

If you think about It, he kinda does what he said in his diary. You can look at his transformation into the Joker as the death of Arthur which, due to the years of abuse, neglect and ridicule, makes sense.

[@cptsteele91]

@Thetasteofhoney1 33550000000 cents aye

[@dboymax1]

@Thetasteofhoney1 You mean sense...

[@savybeanie]

@@cptsteele91 It made PLENTY of cents 😉

[@freckledandred]

My biggest question is who TF let that woman adopt a child

[@TechnicJunglist]

Unfortunately it happens every day and abused children slip through the system.

[@MrKaje72]

Gotham

[@Neechiemoose102]

It happens. Just look at the Canadian foster care system

[@gulleyfoyle6859]

Spoiler: It's heavily implied hes not adopted, and he is bruce waynes half brother

[@moonlily1]

@@TechnicJunglist It's not a surprise to anyone that adoptive or foster parents might be abusive, but rather it makes no sense that a penniless unwed woman with a history of mental illness would be approved to adopt a baby, especially in the 50s. That plot point is simple preposterous in real life. It's impossible.

[@DanTarrant1]

The key scene in Joker, which is one of my favorite films ever, is the final one. All of Arthur's previous killings involved victims that in one way or another had it coming. But when he murders (off-camera) the social worker who is nothing but kind to him, it shows that he's developed a taste for killing that cannot be excused by his struggles in life.

[@maximilianmontana6791]

If you look a his callous experiences with past social workers and how they could care less what he was really dealing with. You can kind of understand his callousness towards them in the end

[@ctylsh1214]

the social worker most definitely had it coming

[@rowanjoy419]

yeah, I thought the same, like it make sense after killing many 6 people, is like 1 more either way everybody knows am killer, I think is what he felt like it does not matter and know he does it when he just does not want to see you so he just kill you.

[@arz563]

@@ctylsh1214 how

[@dreadburnz3522]

The social worker was not kind towards him at all. From her demeanor you can tell that she's just waiting for the clock to run out, and nothing more. Time and again Arthur recounts his experiences and she doesn't even bother to remember them (like how he had to remind her that he did in fact bring up his desire to become a comedian). Although she wasn't outright mean to him like so many other people who wronged him, she was apathetic to his plight. Arthur wanted help, and the one person who was in a position to help didn't give a shit about him. She reinforced the loneliness that Arthur felt, and why he thought that people would walk over his corpse if he died. While I don't think she deserved to die, I can understand why Arthur killed her. In much the same way she didn't care about his life, he didn't care about hers. I can't help but feel that Arthur's life could have been much more different if she demonstrated a genuine interest in helping him deal with his issues.

[@trashcompactorYT]

This was Joaquin Phoenix' best movie role ever. He was smart to say yes to this.

[@kristiant96]

Not really I didn't like this movie that much too over the top watch taxi driver way way better than joker.

[@Larcona_]

@@kristiant96 You do realise having a differing opinion from another person doesn't make them wrong, right?

[@ebh7821]

Agreed. Incredible performance, perhaps his masterpiece.

[@antonbonin5003]

I disagree. Todd Phillips was smart to cast Joaquin Phoenix XD

[@sharknado623]

Watch The master, he's even better there. Or Gladiator.

[@YouSoCute2000]

I've worked at a psych ward as a nurse....there were so many damaged souls there 😢😢😢 most of the patients had horrible childhoods....l think had they had "normal" childhoods they would have turned out pretty okay....protect your babies everyone.❤❤❤

[@rowanmelton7643]

Once again a conservative proving they're more empathetic than Liberals. If all Americans donated blood at the same rate as Conservative Americans, 40% more blood would be donated in the US

[@codeinecowboy8607]

@@rowanmelton7643 don’t conservatives usually say that gay people are going to hell and anyone who voted for Biden is a communist child cannibal that hates America?

[@jessesdomain444]

@@codeinecowboy8607 both parties work for the same elite that are pushing society's mental, physical and moral decline...

[@David4Dictator]

@@jessesdomain444 Exactly. Anyone who sincerely believes that politicians have our best interest at heart, is a perfect example of conditioning. Left or right, two wings of the same bird.

[@spideybatsfan8507]

@@codeinecowboy8607 what the hell are you on about?

[@SonGoku-io7sh]

This movie was a masterpiece. I loved everything about it and empathised with Arthur so much. The fact that critics tried to pan it shows that reality does sell but doesn't fall in line with certain agendas.

[@yannick245]

What critiques did you read? The film was praised!

[@heres_hubie]

@@yannick245 the ones in his head

[@BigJackHorner2023]

@@yannick245 apparently the media tried to say it supports violence when it came out

[@yannick245]

@@BigJackHorner2023 And this came from a a reputable film critic? Just look up _"Rotten Tomatoes"._ It's a collection of professional and layman critics. The film was praised by most people.

[@scoobydoo2587]

@@heres_hubie Before the movie came to the theatres, it was described by many "official"/professional film reviewers as dangerous. There were even reports and discussions about it in the news and security in front of many theatres was heightened due to fear of protests and violence that could be caused by the movie. Obviously, none of that actually happened and it was all fearmongering by the reviewers and the news. Anyways, I suggest you look into something before you deny it as a delusion.

[@surge3158]

I think this is one of the greatest movies ever made tbh. Not only is it entertaining, but it actually makes you think twice about making sure you're not an asshole to people you don't know. You don't know their story, and your minor negative interaction might be the boiling point for someone. Be kind, love your neighbor.

[@velvetzealot5175]

I feel like that's the real message of the movie. Always be courteous to the people around you and avoid the kind of casual cruelty displayed by people like Franklin Murray, or the snide disregard for other peoples' circumstances that's shown by Thomas Wayne.

[@valmacclinchy]

Agree 100%. This movie will be a classic.

[@sydneyd2094]

I agree and hope that’s what happens, but there’s lots of people who see content like this meant for that purpose and then when faced with it they revert back to uncaring.

[@neo-filthyfrank1347]

What a stupid train of thought. "Be nice to people or else they might kill you my guy... watch out". Idiot.

[@rickeybernard8156]

Sadly people don't care.

[@christopheramos9305]

Did you ever notice that when he’s writing down his jokes at the comedy club he uses his right hand when he’s doing his journal is using his left hand.

[@nvstewart]

You see him use both hands when writing in the journal too. When he is in his kitchen writing you initially see him writing with his right hand, then he puts the pen down only to pick it up again with his left. Right hand= Arthur Left hand= Joker

[@darlalathan6143]

@@nvstewart So he's ambidexterous, then.

[@crigonalgaming1258]

@@darlalathan6143 not really. But this is a connotation dating back centuries ago. Left handed people were persecuted in the past because the religious sects had associated them as "evil" or of the "devil". The religious sects are wrong tho, but this analogy is on the money for Joker's character.

[@acesplace27]

Yes i did as well...great catch...when i told my friends it blew their mind when they rewatched it

[@alecrobbins3989]

whenever he uses a gun he always uses his left hand

[@Dr.CrowHead]

I have to say, I like this version of the Joker along with Heath Ledger’s. We see a man who lives a mundane life slowly breaks down as his life starts to go down the drain, and his final breaking point was finding out his entire life was lie. The woman who he though was his biological mother turned out to be his adopted mother, learning that she stood by while he was abused, learning that Thomas Wayne wasn’t his real father, and his idol embarrassing him on live television finally made him snap.. When I think about this, I think of Joker’s infamous quote: all it takes is one bad day.

[@rmnov9]

If only someone truly cared... I believe this story always repeats itself. Sometimes we are in that position to help but we decide that it’s too much work and we don’t care enough to make sacrifices.

[@JohnPopcorn06]

it is a very extreme real life example

[@UFOUAPMagnet]

Perfectly said, and absolutely true. I live in that truth.

[@bryansoto1266]

Arthur's inconsistency of spelling words and sentences, is due to his psychosis. As someone who has psychosis and schizophrenia, I'm glad to see that the writers did their research.

[@TheBayzent]

As the son of somebpdy with schizophrenia, I concour

[@Hellserch]

Thank you for having the strength for sharing your mental health state. It gives you profound insights into sadness.

[@cristianllanes6387]

You're a strong person, many people don't acknowledge that mental health is quite important.

[@bryansoto1266]

@@cristianllanes6387 mental health is important. It disturbs me that people dont talk about it as much as they should.

[@RatBoyTriple6ix]

@@cristianllanes6387 not to be a dick, but do u really feel like people don’t talk about it enough? I agree that it’s serious, but imo it’s talked about a LOT, at least here in Canada (Toronto to be specific) and all over social media. Not too sure that simply talking about it will be enough to see a change as in my opinion it’s already talked about so much. If there’s one subject that I feel isn’t talked about enough it would be the meat/dairy industries. They really are some of the most evil things that we as a society are taking part in, it’s beyond cruel to the animals and it’s destroying our planet, the UN just announced that it’s a code red for humanity as far as climate change goes. I know they’re two totally different subjects, but I was using animal agriculture as an example of a very serious issue that I feel is really not talked about enough at ALL. Again not trying to downplay how horrible mental health can be, just that I don’t think talking about it more than we already are will be the solution…

[@dragonlord1689]

Sadly I relate with this character to a scary degree. I was adopted by an emotionally abusive family my mother has a string of mental issues and was a drug addict. I took care of for her years despite her abuse. I have no family, no friends, no girlfriend, a crappy job, nothing positive. The line of having nothing but negative thoughts hits so close to home. I have aspergers and I just want to feel normal so much and be happy. I’m in my 30s and I feel completely alone in the world I could disappear tomorrow and the only ppl who would care is my landlord and my boss.

[@immorethanaminimalist1122]

im here, we could be friends.

[@joshtrevino5668]

Hey I am sorry to hear this. Have you ever considered joining a local church. This is where I have found community. I hope and pray things turn around for you.

[@immorethanaminimalist1122]

@@joshtrevino5668 hah! i was just saved a couple days ago! god bless.

[@ANDREW-ck6ro]

I also have autism spectrum disorder and I have all the same issues as you minus the family part because I do have family but I do find it hard to make friends and have only ever had a one week long date back in middle school 4 or 3 year as ago something strange about me is I’m both transgender and autistic yet I usually go after those groups online and bully them possibly to feel more normal about myself I also lack any empathy and unless someone is in my family or extended family I normally don’t ever see them as humans I only ever see them as video game NPCs more then humans

[@dragonlord1689]

@@joshtrevino5668 I’m an atheist I’ve tired church multiple times but never believe it.

[@wearblackclothes]

What I found really sad or watching the movie is Arthur was trying to get help he was trying to use the systems available to him to better himself and they failed him.

[@GrayDino20]

Like most systems in America Do

[@glocknessmonster115]

Sadly it’s one of the most realistic aspects of the movie

[@4thtroika]

I have a hard time thinking of Arthur as evil. Tragic, yes. But nothing like The Joker's other incarnations.

[@dongately2817]

Agreed.

[@Kiiieeechiii]

I don’t think he was evil until the very end when he killed Murray and the therapist

[@Kiiieeechiii]

You could even tell he just didn’t care anymore when he laughed and said “I know” when Murray told him someone was killed because of him and when he told the cop Gotham burning was beautiful and for me that was when he 110% became the joker

[@KatherinaBathory]

Because he is just starting...

[@saloz9483]

Dont know about that if anything the original red hood take on jokers past of one bad day is pretty messed up as well. However end of the day joker is still evil. He has no problem killing anybody and causing chaos. As someone else said in the comments the difference between this joker and the others is this one is just getting started.

[@raymondthebrotherofperryma1403]

I'm thinking the line in his journal: "I hope my death makes more _cents_ than my life," was a deliberate play on the word cents by Arthur.

[@siddhartharoychowdhury2489]

It was.

[@sumbahdy6410]

In his journal he makes common spelling and grammatical mistakes, he was abused as s child and maybe never went to school

[@juannaym8488]

sorry I don't speak english very well, where is the word play and what does it mean?

[@Nilon241]

​@@juannaym8488the phrase is supposed to be 'makes more sense' but sense sounds like 'cents' (as in dollars and cents) 'I hope my death makes more *cents* than my life' means 'I hope my death makes more *money* than my life' - that's the theory :)

[@juannaym8488]

@@Nilon241 aaahhh Thank you

[@Valdagast]

As someone who has struggled with suicidal thoughts, there is a great clarity and relief when you have made up your mind. I find that completely realistic.

[@mysteryjunkie9808]

They say depressed people appear more happy to their family and friends right before they commit suicide

[@Valdagast]

@@mysteryjunkie9808 Yep. That's why you have to keep an extra close eye on suicidal people the two or three weeks after they receive antidepressants. There's a temporary increase in suicide rates.

[@Valdagast]

@Rune Age Mage The vast majority of them improve with the proper treatment. ECT alone gives improvement in 80% of cases.

[@Valdagast]

@Rune Age Mage I'm sorry for you but that's not a reason to abandon people with depression, it's a reason to make sure more people with depression get treatment.

[@lostinthedark5231]

@Rune Age Mage thank you! I feel as though people should be able to go out with some dignity if they so choose. I also feel less people would kill themselves if there wasnt such a stigma attached to talking about it in any way that isnt a meme or a joke. If i could get the way i feel out to people without scarring them or feeling ignored maybe these fucking feelings would go away or at least ease up a bit.

[@m3rrys0ngstr3ss]

I'm glad you mentioned Arthur having a rage when he's trying to catch the kids who stole his sign - I thought I was the only one who saw it that way! I remember seeing how fast he was running and thinking, "Holy shit, if he actually *catches* one of these boys, he's gonna tear him apart!"

[@Crazywaffle5150]

I would have whipped their ass with my belt lol.

[@darlalathan6143]

@@Crazywaffle5150 I think he's more likely to use a crowbar, lol.

[@Balimma]

I just realized that in the end, when he talks about Wayne wanting people like him (Athur) to just sit down and take it like good lil boys, he's also talking about his mother, just expecting Arthur to put on an happy face after all the abuse and neglect.

[@gregoryjones1426]

The old argument nature vs nurture.

[@zootsoot2006]

Analysis: take the multitude of factors of a work of art and break it down into a single theme, which is relevant in some way to timeless existence or life in a particular place and time, that unites all factors into a cohesive whole. NOT: explain every minutiae of a work of art on its own and what it might mean to a particular viewer. Sheesh, you Americanos have forgotten the art of analysis.

[@pseudonymlifts2]

@@zootsoot2006 what a bafflingly irrelevant comment

[@rpc717]

No, it's not 'either/or.' The point is in Arthur's case it's 'and.' He is by nature an unsavory character, honed to a razor's edge by circumstances.

[@metalDCM8]

It’s not one or the other, it’s how nurture affects nature.

[@rastrisfrustreslosgomez544]

​@@zootsoot2006 ahaha nailed it! :*

[@kenzieleigh4628]

Am I the only one who gets “i hope my death makes more cents than my life”? It isn’t misspelled it’s actually a good joke, but it’s depressing, but still makes sense

[@claudewinters2091]

It's a double entendre.... A play on words to give 2 different meanings ... It's brilliant & depressing in 1 swoop. The Joker isn't dumb, he just wasn't given the opportunity or education to truly demonstrate his IQ until he became a criminal... Only then did his mind begin to twist his hidden brilliance into disturbing ways.... I guess this would be explored more in Joker 2... If they ever make it...

[@pointlesslylukesplainingpo1200]

I dont think he was referring to that line being misspelled alone, if you look at the writing surrounding that sentence you can see he makes multiple spelling mistakes like spelling people as ''peeple''.

[@kenanacampora]

I hope MY death makes more scents than my life. 😬👍

[@joshuar3632]

Worth more dead than alive.

[@kenzieleigh4628]

@@claudewinters2091 yessss I agree, just shows even more about his home life, to me it just shows he was never given the opportunity to be smart, he’s been taking care of his mother and was abused his entire life so it would make sense god I feel so bad for people irl like the joker....I just wanna give them a hug ya know

[@christophermonceux6578]

I never took his dancing to be an expression of happiness, I assumed it was self-soothing behavior.

[@ShinmegamiPersona]

He’s doing tai chi with the second one

[@hardboiled2987]

To me honestly? It was self-acceptance.

[@iam4onthesideof2w3]

It was his method of escaping from reality and going into his dreams.

[@RyuuRider]

This movie makes me so unspeakably sad. It's a wonderful film with some valuable perspectives.

[@verynormalhumans4420]

I always thought that he was dancing after the murders to calm himself down, not because he enjoyed them. He was happy because he danced, not the other way around.

[@theboltthrower8661]

I saw it at a way of telling us how happy and free does he feel after the murders

[@TheLordexilius]

I also did not see it as happy dancing, but as a dance to did to sooth and calm himself. Later in the movie, like on the Murray show, it is different but at this point he is almost fully The Joker.

[@antoniomargallo5317]

It's a metamorphosis, from a crawling larvae in a cocoon to a beautiful butterfly capable of flying gracefully, almost weightless.

[@tjuk8050]

I thought it was a way of him saying that killing is his form of artistic expression. (edit) but I'm a FKN nut so anywhoo lol

[@redpandarampage2191]

I also interpreted the bathroom dance as a calming mechanism. He just went through huge traumatic ordeal and emotional stress. He even looks relieved after dancing as if it brought him back to a more comforted state of mind.

[@night_speed]

From someone who has spent some time in a mental health facility, my take on the 'dancing' and in particular the scene in the bathroom, i think it's more to reinforce things he may have learned while in a facility. Most institutions use group therapy and cognitive behaviour therepy. They try to teach coping skills to deal with stress and trauma. Particularly they sometimes teach meditation techniques. I think at some point Arthur learned tai chi as a form of quiet meditation while at the mental health facility and after the chaos of the subway shooting without his medication he tries to calm himself using this form of meditation. He uses dancing as a way of decompression and less as celebration.

[@willstaywinning]

Interesting take

[@nettewilson5926]

I felt like Arthur gained strength by embracing his dark side. It was a tragic choice but his options were so limited. He was a product of his brutal environment.

[@ashroskell]

Yes, he seems like a perfect storm in that sense, like life conspired to play on his weaknesses and crush his strengths. Which is pretty much what lies at the heart of all great tragedies; that sense of, “If only.” The narrator of this video did a great job but overlooked the key element of the whole story, the very same thing that made The Dark Knight such a successful Joker too: He’s the quintessential, “Unreliable Narrator.” We cannot know by the end, how much of this story actually happened and, of the parts of it that did, whether they happened in the same way as he remembers them. Like his love interest being a pure fabrication of his desperate loneliness, his unlikely meeting with Bruce Wayne and later his father, his murders, all of it could be all in his mind or just events he witnessed without taking part in them. Even his appearance on TV is brought into question. So, in that final scene, are we seeing nothing more than symbolic bloody footprints? Or are they the tracks of his latest, pointless murder? We take on faith that this is the story of the genuine article, The Joker, Batman’s antagonist, or there would be no point in watching the movie. But, just as Joker told a different story to each person about the scars on his face in The Dark Knight, the very intrigue about him, and that we cannot ever be certain of the facts surrounding him are and that’s what makes Joker such a towering success. People’s biggest concern about this film was that it might ruin the one characteristic about The Joker that makes him work so well, that he’s unknowable, a true agent of chaos and the antithesis of Batman, who seeks to bring order back to Gotham. Like a force of nature, he has always had no origin story, in the same way that banal evil is incomprehensible, giving him an edge that thrills the comic fans. This movie achieves the impossible, giving us that origin story to colour his narrative, but by making him utterly untrustworthy as the story teller, even to himself, we can still never really know what makes him what he is, or even if this is anything like the same story he would tell himself by the same time next week? That’s the genius of this film and why it works so well. It respects its source material and doesn’t spoil the one great thing about what made Batman’s greatest antagonist what he was: chaos incarnate.

[@DanielGarcia-gs9sv]

Sounds like a defence lawyer ' :)

[@elfsieben1450]

@@ashroskell Exactly that. 👍

[@CamSiv996]

A Tragic choice with a Comedic life. Very Shakespearean.

[@katodd2925]

Yet people in real life get shamed because of this all the time. Like in the ghetto.

[@straburyred]

Since you've already done the Joker, I think it's only natural to analyze "Gladiator's" Commodus which happens to be JP's other great villain.

[@TheVileEye]

I think that’s a great idea and I’ll add it to my list.

[@alenbacco7613]

@@TheVileEye if your interested in the comparing him to the man he was based on, you should check out Mike Duncan's history of Rome podcast. I think he only lasts for one episode. I think it's called an "aptly named man" or something like that, because his name means something like disastrous. It's a wild ride.

[@SRLovesPandas1]

@Джон Таргариен she's not the villain of the show. she's not good, but she's not evil. I'd rather see a video on Gus Fring.

[@reno9821]

@Джон Таргариен Walter White would make more sense than Skyler tbh.

[@reno9821]

@Джон Таргариен A lot of people can empathise with Skyler, or despise Walter. I could see where Skyler was coming from, personally. Otherwise, I respect your opinion. In my opinion, I think Walter was slowly progressing to being a villain each episode since the start of the show, and letting Jane die was the point where he was definetly evil.

[@purplehaze2358]

"his murder of the three men on the subway" Correction: One man. The other two could be argued as self defense.

[@garrynewman6211]

True, but the last man deserved it though.

[@marianotorrespico2975]

Yes, but each yuppie deserved the bullets; the least important people in the room.

[@OnyinyeOfunwa]

i agree! ppl always overstep the details and facts instead of opening their ears to the vital truth...like Arthur said: "no one thinks what its like to be the other guy"(smth likw that i forgot😅)

[@RageUnchained]

One of the tenants of self defense is who the initial aggressor is.

[@sk8element1919]

@@RageUnchained They initiated.

[@firstlast1278]

As far as Arthur's grammar skills go, they said he was found chained to a radiator so I don't think he was getting much schooling.....

[@patrikgajcevic8123]

@@PlayingGames97 that was just a joke tho, not an actual anecdote

[@damienchall8297]

@@patrikgajcevic8123 that was not a joke that was written on the report of his

[@Deadwatch-gi2xc]

To be fair in the comedy club scene he said himself that he hated school as a kid.

[@susiehenders]

tied, not chained 🙂

[@deathpearl360]

He didn't want to be evil. Everyone around him was evil and in return, he became evil.

[@pietd4781]

In the words of the Joker from Dark Knight, "These people will only be as good as the world allows them to be"

[@cherryblossom6775]

That’s facts!! Monster are made not born.

[@DaDunge]

@@pietd4781 The dark knight is also a very controversial take on the joker though, he's a joker who is more raging against the world than enjoying himself.

[@genghiskhan7691]

@@DaDunge Not really, The Dark Knight Joker simply wants to watch the world burn and have the last laugh above all others. If anything, the film Joker has a controversial take on the joker. The audience for that film has definitely misinterpreted the film and its characters. Sympathy is for Arthur Fleck, not for the joker.

[@DaDunge]

@@genghiskhan7691 That's actually a far more controversial take on the joker because TDK joker is clearly suffering from PTSD. While the joker is usually a psychopath.

[@maccurtis730]

Arthur Fleck is not the villain society asked for but the villain we deserve.

[@CandyPinkcake]

It’s interesting how they named him the Joker since there’s this thing called the sad clown paradox where humor may serve as an attempt to relate to people from a distance caused by childhood desire for social contact

[@elfsieben1450]

The Joker is a wild card without any color or value of its own, a mock card embodying something alien to itself. Arthur Fleck placed everything he had on that card, trading everything that was unique or characteristic about him, to become a person of no attributes, a joker. Basically, he just vanished into thin air, becoming one with the toxicity of Gotham City, by taking on the color and value that the city imprinted on him.

[@angelmoore2588]

I think his mother trying to force him to be happy was one of the things that broke him. If someone is severely depressed they can't just snap out of it and I think this movie is a lesson to all those people who like to go around saying "Smile , it's not that bad" . Amazing performance by Phoenix, one of the most realistic portrayals of the descent into madness ever.

[@lolbuster01]

Smile, though your heart is aching. Smile, even though it's breaking.

[@youthoughtaboutit6946]

Ironically, one of the things that are often taught in mental health “classes” is to “fake it till you make it” Source: I was in them at one point.

[@Bobbyboucher9814]

If he hasn't already been requested, Lestat from Interview With A Vampire.

[@SMARTYTVyt]

yes!!!!! that would be amazing

[@ImprovementisGrowth]

Z that would be amazing

[@stefanosprokopis6974]

Vampires aint real so how can someone know how truly feel. The joker character is merely human.

[@SMARTYTVyt]

@@stefanosprokopis6974 ...... neither are the other supernatural characters he has covered on the channel? the point is vampires still have psychology behind their actions??? they were once human were they not? supernatural characters still have humanoid feelings and an anthropological mindset? the joker is just as real as a vampire. regardless of whether or not he is human.

[@darkservantofheaven]

As some one who has read all the books, he's not really a villain Anti hero sure, a predator yes, but he is not really evil. None of Anne Rice's vampires Short of Akasha are out right good or evil. They are far too, well, human. Alucard from Hellsing would be better....he's twisted af

[@airshow406]

This version of the Joker is quite interesting. I get a strong unreliable narrator vibe from the film, the way it’s ambiguous about him possibly killing certain characters, and how it plays with his motivations and how he sees himself. Is he REALLY doing the things he does out of righteous disgust with the cruelty of the world around him? Or does he just like the thrill and power that killing makes him feel? I think the latter is the case in the vast majority of Joker characterizations and the ending certainly implies that a lot of what we’ve seen may simply be the story he’s told the woman in the hospital (and us) to lull her into a sense of comfort and respect for him to bring down her guard before he strikes. And in that we see what really brings him joy.

[@AndrewDoom]

Yup. I heard someone say once that we basically got duped into sympathizing with him just as Harley Quinn was.

[@SympatheticMonster]

The story is fake, this isn't joker's backstory. The joke here is that this story is still someone's backstory. Whether he believes it or not, one thing's for sure is that every villain is a hero of their own story

[@BlackAxem]

@@AndrewDoom That's a really great concept there. I'd like to see that explored more

[@zanebutler8717]

@@BlackAxem thats explored alot

[@theboltthrower8661]

EXACTLY!!!!! When I first saw this movie I remembered Ledger´s Joker line "Do ya wanna know How I got these scars?" Tales....

[@peterkrug4124]

This version is probably the most sympathetic portrayal of the Joker I've ever seen.

[@mikebasil4832]

Same.

[@rickythomas128]

I'm a professional criminal profiler, and I do have degrees in psychology, and I find your videos to be insightful, valid, and very interesting! Well done!

[@divad7137]

Ok now I know something, this is really impressive, the guy can be talented at this

[@lesterdiamond6190]

One of the biggest challenges of my life was to accept that my siblings are a pair of narcissistic sociopaths. I was tasked with handling my father's estate distribution, and when I completed it, I ghosted my family. That was 22 years ago and it's the best thing I ever did. My wife recently commented..."I have never missed those people once." Thanksgiving and Christmas are truly relaxing and enjoyable at our house. I like to watch Mob Movies and eat pumpkin pie in bed with my hunting dog... lol

[@UFOUAPMagnet]

@@lesterdiamond6190 That's because you are a true gangster.

[@lesterdiamond6190]

@@UFOUAPMagnet Few things more relaxing than listening to a snoring dog while Joe Pesci beats somebody over the head with a phone.

[@lesterdiamond6190]

@c0ya1 Too often "family" use that angle and assume everyone should put up with their shit. Not this cat. Hit the bricks!

[@maidenchick1307]

This movie is INCREDIBLE, so intense But it’s also really sad and tense, I felt really bad for Arthur

[@amin2636]

Watching the joker scares me, not in a way that the movie is scary but in a way that they make arthur kinda relatable, specially at the beggining His relationship with his mom, his gf and friends are relatable (that is the case until it all comes crumbling down) It makes me feel that anyone can be like joker With one bad day

[@SuperPhilly5]

the tragedy of arthur is much more painful than the tragedy of bruce wayne

[@genghiskhan7691]

@Hongding Zhou This just proves that Batman is mentally stronger than the Joker because both characters had their 'one bad day' according to the Joker. However the origin story, provided for the character in the film, as tragic as it was, is not definitive as the Joker does not have a true origin story. Sympathy is for Arthur Fleck, not for Joker. Arthur Fleck definitely was abused but abuse is a cause, never a justification. It cannot justify Arthur's actions in the film. Those who attempt to justify his actions, those who root for him, there's no point in debating with them because they have already lost. This is because the Joker has successfully rendered their morals, their code of conduct as useless and meaningless. There is no point in arguing with a loser. It's quite ironic since those people let the Joker win and in his eyes, are just a bad joke. The Joker as a character is not a source of motivation or empathy, but madness.

[@N4chtigall]

Well not really. It's not like Batman is super happy rich guy. If you look at it it's as tragic as Joker. It's like Batman is spending his life trying to maintain order while Joker is doing exactly the same thing but with chaos. They don't have their own lives - they both became their alter egos. They aren't treated as humans by both society and themselves.

[@anitaremenarova6662]

@@srinivasanbalajixvii9959 No, that notion is just wrong.

[@Glory-Compass]

@@srinivasanbalajixvii9959 Nah Man Bruce Just Lost his Parents, but he has Everything he wants and Can Get Anything he Wants(except his Parents Ofc) but he Probably got over it

[@rowanmelton7643]

@Hongding Zhou Uh, I don't know about the rest of your comment. But you're way out of wack about school shooters. They are pure and unrelenting evil. Don't give them excuses

[@valmacclinchy]

Every time I see that scene at the end with Murray and Arthur, I'm amazed at Joaquin's emotional range.

[@GrayDino20]

It was probably genuine because his brother was dying of Drugoverdose on a Sidewalk in Hollywood

[@winstonmarlowe5254]

@@GrayDino20 what?

[@TheZaros666]

To be fair, the first two he killed in the subway was legally (in most of america) self defense. The third one was the first actual murder from a legal standpoint.

[@GLASSMOSCOWANDBEIJING]

Fam, Gotham is literally fictional New York, a guy can literally beat a guy in self defense and not kill and he would still end up in jail and I'm talking from experience

[@moritamikamikara3879]

@@GLASSMOSCOWANDBEIJING It is new york but its fictional new york. If it was real new york he woud have got his ass caught straight away. Also the law doesn't mean shit morally. If he's gotta defend himself, he gotta fucking defend himself. If you're kicking the shit out of someone on the ground, we should not have any sympathy for you if that person shoots you when you do it. I can't say a whole lot for the third guy, but the first two can get fucked as far as I'm concerned.

[@DraccoXX]

@@GLASSMOSCOWANDBEIJING not to "um actually" but I think Gotham is supposed to be in New Jersey canonically

[@tikalthewhimsicott2736]

@@DraccoXX Same difference

[@sexmodtf2freepunjabinoviru162]

No it wasn’t. The first one was as he was actively doing it. The next couple weren’t. They were running away.

[@megabreath6635]

Arthur’s only so called friend was that little person (forgot his name) but even he wasn’t always there for Arthur. His isolation was the key to his descent into madness.

[@user-ri5oc5rw5b]

Gary

[@ConstantGardener-q9q]

This movie was brilliant in the way it fully integrates the audience into the perspective of the “villain” and violence - it makes us look at both our own impulses as well as injustice

[@ZaaaZeHD]

I feel like that opening scene where he’s putting the makeup on and is pulling his cheeks to create a huge smile as single tear runs down his cheek is so powerful yet overlooked, it really does show we’re only one bad day away from our worlds changing

[@trafalgarlaw8373]

But that's not really the message at all. It's not just one bad. It's a horrible life and past.

[@jamescoogan8753]

I imagined Arthur's 'Laugh' as being somewhat genuine, but his pain is at the fact of the horrible nature beneath it. We as people create humor as a comping mechanism to deal with darker topics and themes. Arthur always laughs when his conflicted with his view of the world. His mum taught him the world is good and nice to people, but Arthur is always in moments of conflict with this notion. I.e. he is making a child happy, and then the mother doesn't like what he's doing and shuns him, he laughs at the ridiculousness of situation. When he meets Thomas Wayne, the so called hero and idol of the people, he doesn't sympathize with Arthur one bit, and laughs at this because of his conflicting thoughts about it. The lies, greed, selfishness, and disrespect of those "awful guys" is plain cruel, but high society chose to lie to itself to make themselves feel better.

[@canwetalk9992]

I wonder if Arthur’s laughing disorder made his mother think he was “always a happy child” when he was being abused.

[@obviouspropaganda8200]

The joker is justice against hypocrisy. People ignored his abuse as a child but where quick to enforce social norms on his resulting problems from the abuse. People enforce rules and condemn people that are weaker then them in the most lazy way they can. Same for the "professionals" that "help" him He's giving everyone what they deserve

[@jsfyxzuf117]

@@erdelegy My answer is, why not?

[@jaredthompson553]

@@jsfyxzuf117 agreed

[@chrono8233]

@@jsfyxzuf117 Because it destroys the potential of the species. The human species can eventually reach a point of utopia for all if we can just get to a point where we can overcome the harshness of the world and the cruel game of nature using science and technology. But in order for us to reach this point we must cooperate and behave long enough to not self destruct. This is the end game most worlds are playing out in the universe. And given the fact that the universe doesn't seem to be full of space craft floating around either those that made it are all hiding and praying for us to make it, or its very rare.

[@user-nl9oj1sc5h]

What they fucken deserve!!!! Lol kidding

[@LordVader1094]

@@jsfyxzuf117 Because it does nothing to solve problems and only creates more suffering and trauma.

[@mikebasil4832]

A most thought-provoking Analyzing Evil video on one of the most profoundly unforgettable villains in our fictional history. Thank you very much. 👍🏻

[@qquartermain6668]

A good subject for analysis would be Louis Bloom of Night Crawler (2014)

[@TheVileEye]

I’ll check it out!

[@qquartermain6668]

@@TheVileEye A good movie to check out would be Suddenly, Last Summer (1959).

[@joppippoj]

louis bloom, please

[@SillyGooseSam]

Totally agreed. I’d love to see a video about him!

[@sonofyah_chosen1950]

YES

[@cryptocapital8224]

Love that smooth jazz voice of yours. Keep up the good work dewd

[@ButterBallTheOpossum]

This movie was extremely disturbing for me to watch. The mental health system was depicted perfectly in this movie. I was in and out of mental hospitals when I was younger and it really hit home.

[@mariaSandoval-gh2pi]

I cryed a bit sad

[@satan749]

This movie is very depressing to me personally, but it’s such a great movie

[@DarkPaleUnicorn]

I don't believe he is happy when he dances. it's more that he finds his balance by righting the wrongs he sees. it's his dance of victory after righting the world's wrongs. in the end when Arthur dances surrounded by his people, he isn't happy. he is content. bc finally the world makes sense; finally he belongs. that all is satisfaction and inner peace rather than happiness. his dance on the stairs signifies this the best. having commited no murder just yet, he finds himself to be content with his life at the moment. again: not happy, just content.

[@williamerickson520]

Another interpretation could be that his dancing is representative of his mind slowly eroding on his path to becoming The Joker.

[@antoniomargallo5317]

It's a metamorphosis, from a crawling larvae in a cocoon to a beautiful butterfly capable of flying gracefully, almost weightless.

[@craww1990]

I dont think he is evil, hes sick. The system in this film is more evil than anything.

[@DraculaCronqvist]

Thing is, it's not just the system in the film. The system that humanity is stuck in is the very same, with whatever differences there might be being superficial or cosmetic in nature.

[@Poffean]

@@DraculaCronqvist neoliberalism is evil, we know, but the only chance we had at defeating it was violently crushed back in '45

[@romantkac7766]

@@Poffean lol nice bait

[@Poffean]

@@romantkac7766 >bait

[@maestroadam]

Yes.

[@Dudewithnoface1]

Joaquin's role as joker was incredibly powerful and his performance was touching. I felt a deep sense of sadness and empathy for him throughout the whole movie, and a couple of the depressing moments reminded me of some of my own personal experiences. Brilliant work on his end and yours 🖤

[@rociomiranda5684]

Excellent analysis. Joker is already one of my indispensable movies of all time. Even at the end, when he walks down the aisle leaving bloody footprints, I was left with a sense of his terrible loneliness. He's such a tragic figure. And the most disturbing thing about him is how easily one understands him.

[@firstlast1278]

"Q: What'd the crazy man say to the straight jacket? A: Loosen up a little" - Arthur Fleck

[@Yami_Cake]

I actually found this funny when I saw it in the movie XD

[@kimdoe3374]

That is pretty funny.

[@burntchickennugget8142]

Wow

[@darlalathan6143]

He would have "killed" with that joke, if he could do the set-up without laughing, lol!

[@brostenen]

That is why he is the most chilling and realistic joker of them all.

[@seanrosenau2088]

When he's sad Arthur he's always trudging slowly up the stairs. When he's crazy joker he's dancing down the stairs. His life technically 'going down the tubes'

[@BubbsGold]

Or by traveling down into the depths of madness he was able to find the exhilaration of new life. If you think about it, he's dancing down the stairs with the intention of going on television and killing himself, yet he's the happiest he's been so far.

[@stevepalpatine2828]

@@BubbsGold A lot of the time suicidal people are like that, once they have actually decided to end it, they seem to be happier, because the weight they've been carrying is gone, it's hard to explain, but the fact they know it will soon be over frees them temporarily from all the stuff they've been depressed about. That's why you often hear " but I just saw him earlier today and he didn't seem to have a care in the world" it's because once they've made that decision, the pressure of keeping going and waking up each morning is lifted.

[@dubuyajay9964]

@@BubbsGold "Abandon all hope all ye who enter here."

[@aqeelraja4750]

plus walking down stairs is always easier then walking up them

[@TimeBomb014X]

A sequel never happened to this

[@MoreImbaThanYou]

Arthurs murder of his mother greatly reminded my of the german short drama "Woyceck", in wich the titular character, after being wronged and abused his whole life, kills the only person he ever truly loved in order to sever what anchors him his life, the life that caused him so much misery.

[@samblackwell8308]

My friend. You have an unbelievable ability in story telling. Your analysis is precise, deep and in my opinion, spot on. I dare call it genius. Thank you.

[@ecurps1]

this is a much better movie than many wanted to treat it as. it very much felt like a window into the life of someone who inherently, and completely beyond their capability, does not fit into the world they have been forced in to. this was such a poignant, tragic, just at the cusp of cathartic film. after seeing it, i tried to talk about it with my coworkers and a few others and the near universal response of discomfort and negativity surrounding the film only led to reaffirm how I feel and the very message I took away from it. people resent you for not adapting to their definition of "normal." throughout the whole movie I wanted to give Arthur a hug. to sit and listen and show him there was someone willing to reach out with empathy and sympathy and care.

[@rangopistacho6928]

i relate to the joker a lot more than i realize: i create fantasy's in my mind of events i hope for in life like being acknowledged and loved by my idol but ultimately i make myself a fool to them and they completely block me out of their life for trying to get their attention but not realizing how obsessive it was in the first place. Its really hard for me to socialize with people face to face or to arrange meetups im afraid that there will be nothing interesting to do and that well get bored or that im too busy with work and study to do so. the only difference is that i have received help from my parents but deep down i feel worthless and that I can never be good at anything or become good at something even if I dedicate myself hard. i honestly sometimes just want just stay inside my room all day and just do my own thing. the real world is too large for me and I feel like I might get lost in it. i dont care if you dont care about what I say here i just had to state it

[@matthewsailors3153]

Hi Rango! I found your comment really meaningful. Thank you for sharing! There are some things you describe that I once related to also. Loneliness is a burden I have long carried, and years of feeling lonely combined with other traumas and sorrows can really mess with our minds. I can't say I know exactly how you feel only because we're all unique, but your words definitely struck a chord with me. I no longer feel like I used to. I have hard days in other ways but nothing like the darkness that once enveloped me and made suicide seem attractive. Everyone's path is different and I don't want to make you feel that I'm pushing my path on you, but I do believe it's worth sharing that I found my way out of that loneliness and lack of self-worth through building a relationship with Jesus Christ. He has loved me at my worst and my best, and He loved me back to sanity. His love never changes no matter how much we change or other people change. Jesus loves you the same way. I know these things to be true because I have personally spoken with Him. I know Him. And I know that because He loves us infinitely, He wants to help us change for the better and feel the joy He feels. We all have unlimited chances to become better and happier through a plan that He and His Father have called the Plan of Happiness, or the Plan of Redemption. Again, I don't want you to feel pushed upon because I'm sharing this with you. It's just that my heart was really touched reading your words. I really do care about you, not because I know you personally but because you're a human like me and you are worth being loved and belonging somewhere good! I've talked a lot here, so I hope you'll forgive me! But if you want a listening ear instead I'd be happy to be there for you. If you want you can send me a FB message in my name here. I hope, if nothing else, your day is a little brighter for knowing that someone does care about you! :)

[@DamianLoved]

Phoenix nailed the despair of the Joker's world. In a way, I think that the constant hopeless mood was nearly a character of its own in this movie. Nothing good was going to come from that misery but I'm sure that I am not alone in having compassion for the character. Great examination of one the best antiheroes that we've seen in quite awhile. Subbed

[@johnlukespeight]

The Joker was the depiction of the gradual decline of an abandoned soul who turned his pain into an evil rampage.

[@MarvelMTs]

This movie shows that even good people do bad things when pushed too far; Arthur didn’t truly become a “bad person” until he killed the wall street guys. And considering seconds earlier the same Wall Street guys were beating him up, it could be considered self-defense. But between getting fired, his mother’s hospitalization, realizing he never even had a mother as he was adopted, the suppressed memories of abuse returning upon reading the file and being ridiculed on Gotham’s top show, Arthur was finally pushed over the edge, becoming Joker by circumstance rather than choice

[@rexventura4603]

I’d say he became a “bad person” when he killed the third wallstreet guy. The first two were defense, but the third guy, he ran away, Arthur didn’t need to kill him. But he let his emotions, frustration and anger, take control and needlessly kill him.

[@wintersbane9185]

@@rexventura4603 He killed the 3rd wall street guy due to the fact he was an eyewitness

[@D0NU75]

is not so much a "it takes a bad day to drive a man insane" as much as it is "how far will you go to excuse and rationalize your actions." The system failed Arthur as it did society, but as bad as he had it he wasn't the only one having to live with those situations. In the end he managed to destroy the life of another innocent child by taking away his parents (Bruce) fully knowing what is like to loose your parents or have none in the end.

[@Digidragon55]

Push comes to shove, however. . .

[@Limpshot_McGee]

@@wintersbane9185Still murder.

[@JeveGreen]

I've watched a few of your videos in a row now, and this particular one brought up a very weird feeling in me. While I could look at Hans Landa or Anton Chigurh and not feel a thing, hearing you explain Arthur Fleck as The Joker to me actually made me start crying. And bear in mind, I'm a fairly stoic person, not known to show or even feel emotion unless it's fairly intense. Yet understanding the tragic circumstances that turned a man into a monster hit me like few things before or since. I think the thing is that, I can understand why Arthur became Joker on a personal level. I've been diagnosed with Asperger, a mild form of Autism, since early childhood, and growing up in a society which actually gave me support and love almost caused me to break several times, leading me to develop anxiety and depression. Even today I struggle with things that others consider mundane, like getting out of bed in the morning or maintaining contact with people. And seeing Arthur be put through the torture of neglect and indifference, it makes me shudder at what I could've become if not for the efforts of so many people in my life... All of my issues and insecurities could've turned me into something like Joker. Instead, I'm just another depressed internet troll... and I'm okay with that. I guess I can see why the movie is controversial at least. Because whether we realize it or not, when we treat people in a certain way, we get what we fucking deserve...

[@bornimusic]

You’re right. This was particularly sad.

[@bornimusic]

Thanks for sharing your insight

[@ShinmegamiPersona]

The one with Mary shook me too because anyone could had been born in a family of abuse and strung along for years dealing with it

[@masterofmythology]

"If I'm going to have a past, I prefer it to be multiple choice."

[@mystical_pimp987]

I've really been in love with this movie it comforts me for some odd reason. The way he feels about how people have treated him is valid. But everyone disregards his feelings. Which happens a lot when someone who is seen as mentally ill is trying to express themselves and/ or speak about their feelings. Bc if they explode all those built up emotions they're " having an episode". No one really takes the time to try and understand what made them feel this way. They see " mental illness " and completely think that person is unaware of everything they're feeling. They're in there somewhere but no one chooses to understand. ( I've been around people who have had " episodes" its not something everyone can handle but they do have a reason. There's always a trigger word or action that will make anyone with an extreme mental illness act out.)

[@KittensLeftFoot]

I would like to point out a point I never seen anyone mentions about Arthur's dancing. One of his dances are not dancing but Tai Chi (in the public toilet) and you can see him gets relaxed. As someone who does that to stabilize my anger I immediately recognized it.

[@tydrickgay4917]

Thought it was Tai Chi also 👍🏿

[@Kribaca117]

I got way too into this analysis, even tearing up at some points. I've never seen The Joker, despite all the reviews calling this movie great, to "meh." I know you probably don't consider yourself worthy of praise, but, I'm going to finally watch this film because of you. Thanks, man.

[@starrykat7263]

I'm not a fan of comic book films and I will say that this one is something special.

[@devydraper4166]

@Death Embrace i don't believe watching this will take away from the movie. It may even add to the experience

[@florestrella1305]

This movie is very real. It's not an action movie like the ones Marvel releases. This movie is a powerful raw drama.

[@idrinkmilk282]

People calling this “meh” were expecting a totally different film to the one this is. A harrowing character study, uncomfortable insights into mental health, there were people just laughing in the cinema at the dance scenes. Kids man. Maybe they’ll understand when they get some life experience.

[@marbl3d45]

@@idrinkmilk282 dude stop pretending to be deep and I while I thought the movie was good but not the perfect mental health analysis but a glimpse of many stories

[@SickSoundingStuff]

It's not the death and murder that makes him happy, but rather a sense of finally having some control in his life. Murder is just the means to an end, no pun intended.

[@carlmannhard8051]

My interpretation is that Wayne is his father, but since that would have been a blow to his reputation he forcibly put Penny Fleck in an asylum so that nobody would believe the claims she made about his fatherhood. This caused her depression and her neglecting Arthur.

[@gorgeouslymade1754]

Excellent observation

[@raptorjezuss3955]

I really think he’s his father as well.

[@brycejohansen7114]

Arthur was adopted though

[@damienchall8297]

@@brycejohansen7114 yeah adoption papers are easily faked

[@myusername3689]

@@erdelegy Given what we’ve seen about Bruce Wayne, he would have a lot of sympathy for this Joker and try to help him come back to the light no matter how bleak the hope for Arthur is.

[@Viewable11]

When Arthur writes, "I just hope that my death makes more *cents* than my life", it's not a grammar error, but a subtle message from the director to the audience that people in this society are being exploited.

[@BubbsGold]

Or literally the joke that it was. He's a failed standup who makes no money. Also his life is shit. 2+2 equals a shitty pun

[@madamada7458]

@@BubbsGold "i hope my death makes more cents than my life" he hopes he makes some more money out of his death than he ever could his whole life. artists live and die poor but their and their works' fame explode hundreds of years after their death. arthur used to be an artist by trade.

[@anegaute]

Is that verified by the creators, or your interpretation? There is an important distinction, but both are often equally valid.

[@beigegaming9905]

Was a psych major (2.5 years in) when the Joker came out. Loved it. I think this is by far one of the most accurate depiction of mental health. Roughly half of our mental illnesses come from nature and the other half come from nurture. This means that half of who we are is genetics and the other half is how we were raised. This also showcases this; everyone has a tipping point.

[@peacebuddha96]

No it's not. Wtf? He isn't even mentally ill. He is just evil. That's simply another dumb clichée movie about that topic.

[@beigegaming9905]

@@peacebuddha96 he’s literally mentally I’ll and is bullied into becoming this person he was turning into. The world turns people crazy.

[@johnmcpudding857]

@@beigegaming9905 Unfortunately based on personal experience, I can vouch for you and say that Joker is indeed very accurate depiction of severe mental health issues. You absolutely begin to lose your grip and rationale once you toe on that tipping point.

[@beigegaming9905]

@@johnmcpudding857 one the tipping point is surpassed, there is almost no going back. It will literally destroy pathways in the brain and require them. It’s something in our DNA that sets off when we deal with too much stress in an unhealthy manner. I loved Joker because it shows that even a good person can turn to bad when faced with enough evil. It can happen to any of us. And I’m happy you’ve taken the time to comment to agree. I appreciate that.

[@NoxAtlas]

"Genetics load the gun, personality aims it and environment pulls the trigger." Jim Clemente, FBI profiler

[@lillonerboi504]

I think it would be interesting to get your take on one of this movies inspirations in Taxi Driver. I loved this rendition of the Joker but De Niro’s portrayal of a loner dealing with mental health issues is my favorite piece of acting of all time.

[@zalybrainlessgenius503]

I think it's also interesting to realize that Arthur has two different styles of handwriting

[@Xehanort10]

Weirdly the clown rioters thought Arthur was trying to overthrow the rich by killing the Wayne Enterprises guys when he actually killed them for tormenting the woman and beating him up. They just projected onto him.

[@mikephelps9238]

What is also odd is that they help him escape even though he did not really share their opinions on the system. Then again, the clown rioters are people in similar conditions as Arthur and all it took to release their pent up anger was not just the subway killing, but also Thomas calling them clowns.

[@unclekarl5219]

They didn’t think they that just thought it was a random act of violent due to pent up aggression against the rich in Gotham. Which is somewhat was

[@Memevze]

​@unclekarl5219 honestly the scifi aspect of this is the complete solidarity of the jokers "underclass" against the "rich". In the real world, the next guy will try and step on you as well. Thats just humanity.

[@Limpshot_McGee]

@@mikephelps9238 Wayne was calling Arthur a clown and, by proxy, anyone who kills innocent people. The idea that he was so elitist and hated poor people is a fabrication by those who would hate a rich man like Thomas Wayne no matter what.

[@americanitalianisrael4008]

YOUR ANALYZING IS EXCELLENT. AND YOU HAVE AN EXCELLENT VOICE FOR IT AS WELL. GREAT JOB SIR.

[@dimesnake-zv3hj]

So after seeing it, I'm convinced that the movie was a joke it wanted to play on audiences. I might be wrong here, but there were never any plans for a sequel to Joker, and no one wanted to make one either. Of course, WB couldn't have that, so everyone involved said "cool, fuck it." and made a very experimental deconstruction of Arthur Fleck. Not the Joker of DC comics, but Arthur Fleck. And being us audiences, we just needed to see a sequel and a power trip of the bad guy. Something that wasn’t givin to us, because nobody initially wanted to maoe the sequal to begin with.

[@mysterion1899]

nailed it.

[@ct6502-c7w]

I'm so completely sick of comic book movies, so even the title of the first movie made me disinterested. But the sequel being horrible is not surprising. Usually, sequels ARE terrible and completely ruin the story. It's extremely rare where a movie actually needs a sequel, it's usually just the studio wanting more money.

[@longshelton]

I loved this analysis. The joker is one of the most iconic characters in media and film. His mind is intriguing yet scary. One of my personal favorite characters of all time.

[@father_andi]

Joaquin also did a great job in a similar role in You Were Never Really Here, would be interesting to see a video like this on that character as well.

[@jameswessling6982]

That movie is fantastic

[@ZombieFoodReviews]

All Arthur needed was one genuine connection. One friend or polite person he could hang with; someone he spoke to that actually cared. His delusions stem from wanting just that. Arthur was not born evil, but becomes Joker because no one took notice of him as Arthur. Nobody cared. Nobody noticed. Regardless of his violent actions, they were noticed. This reminded him that he exists, that he has made an impact. In his mind he soon sees Arthur's life as a joke. His metamorphosis into Joker was the punchline.

[@sebastianalegria3401]

I always knew that Joaquin was going to make history at the Oscars, and he made it. As a result, he won his first Oscar, which he's waited for a long time. I still remember seeing Joker at the cinema, and I + the rest of people who surround me in da cinema's room got completely shock because of the scene where Arthur shots at TV host "Murray". Frankly, none of us expected something like that haha.

[@soomiesoom]

i learned from another video that the actual reason for the rough handwriting lies in joaquin's method acting style, arthur writes with his left hand instead of his right when he is in mental distress. obviously, that doesnt explain the character's spelling, learning, or mental restrictions but it's pretty interesting anyway.

[@jonnuanez2843]

One would hate to think that there are people in real life running around like him. But I think what struck so much about this portrayal is how psychologically deep it went and how a few simple turns could have prevented this. It's sad but not surprising that someone could turn out like this.