Directed by Todd Phillips, the 2019 blockbuster “Joker,” starring Joaquin Phoenix and Robert De Niro, was a globally successful Warner Bros. production. The film had numerous reasons for its success: a Joker film was long overdue; the DC fandom was eager for a different universe for their favorite characters following the disappointment of “Justice League”; and the portrayal of Joaquin Phoenix as Joker. However, all of these potential positives were questioned when Todd Phillips, a director known for making light-hearted dramas, took charge of the project. Many doubted. Yet, right after its release, “Joker” soon became a global phenomenon. Some even mentioned that no one had ever showcased the character the way Todd had done.
Enough of what we all already know. In this article, we are going to discuss three specific things: the plot (which you can skip if you are confident enough that you have seen it all); the ending (here we will explain the what and why because everyone knows who); and the themes (the part where you can leave comments if you think there are more to be discussed). I will try to cover everything in the theme portion that I have gleaned as an audience. So, without further ado, let’s start with the discussion now. And if you haven’t watched the film yet, well, do yourself a favor and watch this masterpiece!
Spoilers Ahead
Joker (2019) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
The city of Gotham is in a state of horrendous pressure where the strikes are just a mistake away. Amidst the chaos, we see a man putting on makeup like a clown and laughing while the tears are rolling down. Later, we see Arthur Fleck, being harassed by a couple of kids from the streets, takes a heavy beating and goes to visit his doctor. We find out that Arthur is suffering from a neurological disorder where he cannot control his random laughs. However, they are not at all random because whenever his mind triggers a negative thought, this laugh comes out.
Anyway, knowing that he is being tortured by some kids, Arthur’s colleague Randall gives him a .38 revolver for his protection. However, during a performance in a children’s hospital, the revolver accidentally falls from Arthur’s pocket, and he loses his job. He even finds out that Randall has told his boss that he has asked for a revolver a few days back. He comes back to his home and finds comfort in seeing one of his neighbors. She has a little girl named Gigi and soon Arthur finds a friend in her.
Arthur’s mother is suffering, and she always writes letters to Thomas Wayne as she thinks that since she worked for him 30 years ago, he will come and help her in such pathetic times. Arthur has failed numerous times to make her understand that a man like Thomas Wayne, who is running for Mayor, won’t remember someone from the past to help them. Arthur enjoys watching TV podcast shows hosted by Murray and wishes to be on that show one day. As an aspiring stand-up comedian himself, he worships Murray in every way possible.
Why does Arthur Shoot the Three Men on the Metro?
With the news about getting sacked, Arthur sits on a metro on his way back home. Three drunk young men board the same metro and start disturbing the only woman there. Arthur sees the woman in distress, and he fails to control his laugh! The men, since they do not know about Arthur’s condition, think that he is making fun of them. Right after the woman runs away to a different coach, the men start making fun of Arthur. They kick him in the back continuously. Arthur has had enough of this, and he shoots the three men with the gun.
Arthur enters into a public toilet, locks the door from the inside and then starts dancing in a way of embracing the chaos. By killing those men, Arthur has prepared himself to embrace a more nihilistic approach to society. Later, he finds out that the whole of Gotham is celebrating the killings of those three men, wearing the masks of a clown, destroying the order of the city, and organizing protests here and there. Amidst all of this, Arthur finds out something from his mother’s letters to Thomas Wayne.
What does Arthur learn about Thomas Wayne?
In one of the many letters that his mother sent to Thomas Wayne, Arthur finds out that 30 years ago, Penny and Thomas Wayne were in a private relationship. Arthur is Thomas Wayne’s son, and Penny expects that he will take good care of them since they have a past. But, no matter how many letters she has posted already, there’s been no response from the man who is running for the Mayor of Gotham City.
Arthur later realizes that her mother was forced to sign some papers because Thomas Wayne thought there was a difference in appearance, and he can not publicly acknowledge the relationship. Penny, blindly in love with Thomas, agrees to sign those papers, and here she is 30 years later, living in agony with Arthur, knowing what they are denied.
Arthur later visits Wayne Manor, and from the opposite side of the gate, he interacts with little Bruce Wayne, son of Thomas Wayne. Alfred comes running to distance himself from the stranger and after knowing that he is Arthur, son of Penny, he behaves awkwardly. There is a notion that Alfred knows about Penny and Thomas, and he also knows that Arthur is Thomas’ elder son. But he chooses not to perceive this reality. Arthur attacks Alfred, but seeing Bruce witnessing the act of violence, he runs away.
What happens when Arthur confronts Thomas Wayne?
Later, Arthur looks for an opportunity to smuggle himself into a bathroom, where he confronts Thomas. Thomas tells him that he is not his father and Penny is not his biological mother. He says that Penny was a patient of delusion and was sent to Arkham Hospital. Later that night, Arthur finds out that Penny is in a critical state. She is admitted to a hospital.
Two detectives come to question Arthur about the killings at the metro. They even heard from Arthur’s former employer about the revolver incident. Arthur somehow manages to ignore them and leaves. Knowing that Thomas Wayne is lying about his mother, Arthur visits Arkham State Hospital to confirm it. There, he steals Penny’s file and finds out that she was a narcissist who adopted Arthur while working as a housekeeper for the Waynes in the 1950s.
Arthur imagines himself in the same room 30 years ago where Penny is confronted by the doctor. The doctor told her that she had raised Arthur with her abusive boyfriend, who later died in jail. Penny was sent to Arkham for allowing the abuse as Arthur was found tied up. Now Arthur doesn’t know whom to trust or what to believe as he enters Sophie’s (mother of Gigi) apartment. Sophie finds out Arthur is sitting on the sofa, and with a bit of fear, she asks him to leave.
Later we witness Arthur removing Sophie from his mind as since the beginning, she was only a fragment of his imagination. Arthur had created Sophie to console himself in his loneliness. But now, amidst all the chaos, he embraces his anger rather than an imaginary friend that may only weaken him. The following morning, Arthur kills Penny while she is in bed in the hospital.
Joker (2019) Movie Ending Explained:
Why does Arthur Kill Murray?
There was a time right after the killings in the metro when Arthur once took part in a stand-up comedy show. Just before he could even get into his act, he fails to control his laughter and becomes a joke to the audience. Even his jokes were not good enough for the crowd, and this humiliation somehow reached Murray. Murray, during one of his shows, plays the clip where Arthur completely fails to land any of his jokes throughout his performance. Murray mocks him and hints that Arthur should not pursue a career in comedy. Arthur witnesses the humiliation on TV, and his respect toward Murray now completely changes into something darker.
After killing Penny, while Arthur is spending his time celebrating freedom that is long overdue, he receives a call from TV. He is asked to be Murray’s guest in a show. His video was a hit. So Murray personally wants him to bring on the live TV for the audience. Arthur prepares himself with a joke, where he puts the revolver on his throat and shoots it. The blank shot gives the idea that Arthur is going to shoot himself during the show. Anyway, Randall comes along with Gary to console Arthur, knowing that his mother just died. Seeing Randall, Arthur feels so much anger that he stabs him and kills him in front of Gary. Arthur lets Gary go free since he has always been kind to him.
Subsequently, Arthur puts on the makeup of a clown, and on his way to Murray’s show, the two detectives follow him. Arthur goes into a metro filled with clown-masked people who are going for a protest. The people kill the two detectives as one of the detectives accidentally shoots one of the protestors. Later, Arthur confronts Murray for the first time and asks him to introduce him as ‘Joker’ as he did before while humiliating him in front of the world. Murray does so, and later, Arthur confesses to the killings in the metro. In the beginning, Murray thinks that Arthur is joking. But all of a sudden, Arthur brings out his gun and says Murray should not make fun of a mentally unstable man on live TV. Right after that, Arthur shoots Murray and kills him on the spot.
The Joker Puts on a Happy Face
Since the killing of the three men in the metro, the whole of Gotham City has started protesting against the government. Even in one interview, Thomas Wayne called the masked-faced people ‘cowards,’ which eventually roughened the situation more than ever. So, after killing Murray on national TV, the protests go berserk. People start burning things on the streets. There are riots all over Gotham. Arthur is arrested, and on his way to the jail, a truck hits the police van. Later, a couple of men pull Arthur from the inside. When Arthur finally wakes up, he sees a whole crowd waiting for him to lead.
Arthur is finally under the spotlight. Throughout his life, he has been suffering from negative thoughts. Even in his diary, he mentioned, ‘I just hope my death makes more cents than my life.’ And just before that, there is a line where he writes, ‘I want people to see me.’ Now comes the time when the whole city, a city that is fighting with the government to clear the pile of garbage that is making the place unliveable, finally finds a leader. The Joker is born under the city lights in one of the dark alleys of Gotham. Vengeance is yet to set foot.
Thomas Wayne, along with Martha, are brutally killed by a clown-masked guy who lets Bruce Wayne watch their death. While Joker is celebrated with protests and strikes, Bruce Wayne awaits for his time to cleanse Gotham. Arthur, meanwhile, without knowing what is happening to Bruce in the darkest corner of the city, colors his lips with his blood. The Joker finally puts on a happy face. Later, in Arkham Hospital, we see Arthur being questioned by a therapist, and he is reluctant to share his thoughts with her. At the end of the film we see Arthur leaving the room with his shoe all covered in blood and being chased by the guards. We can assume that Arthur has killed the therapist as now he just doesn’t fear anything.
Joker (2019) Movie Themes Analyzed:
Gotham is Joker; Joker is Gotham
Todd Phillips has masterfully woven together various themes in the film by constructing a Gotham that mirrors the character of the Joker. From the film’s outset, Arthur is depicted looking at his reflection in the mirror, wearing a mask that does not reflect his true identity. Meanwhile, in the background, a news reporter discusses a garbage strike, with the city demanding the government address the mounting garbage. If we see Gotham as a reflection of Arthur, both entities are seen peering into the mirror, dissatisfied with their own reflections. They both wear masks, hoping to conceal their inner selves from the outside world.
As the strikes and protests intensify, Arthur’s emotions become increasingly uncontrollable. Both the city and Arthur become increasingly vulnerable, awaiting a moment of explosion. The right time arrives when Arthur is finally fired from his job, leading him to kill three men. These killings catalyze Gotham’s descent into chaos, with Arthur’s dance following the murders serving as an expression of his admiration for his roots and Gotham itself. In his mind, the city had never noticed him, but now, Gotham hears his silent scream as it descends into madness.
Exploration of the Need of a Father
Arthur has been the man of the house for a long time, yet he has never felt the love of a father. He has always taken good care of his mother. But there is no one to reciprocate that care for him. Being mentally unstable, this is a significant challenge. So, when he sees Murray on television, he imagines himself inside the show, with Murray granting him the spotlight he feels he deserves. His admiration for Murray goes beyond his appreciation for his comedy.
This is something more: a pat on the back, applause from the crowd, the spotlight – everything is given to him by Murray right at that moment. Murray even admires his struggle with daily life inside that dream. This is what fathers do for their sons. They help them understand the ways of the world, how the world may perceive them, and how they should react to the world. Fathers celebrate sons, but unfortunately, for Arthur, this was not the case. Yes, he perhaps was seeking the spotlight, but deep inside, he thought Murray was a father figure.
Reject Class, Embrace Nihilism
On a regular basis, Arthur is required to climb up a long set of stairs to reach his house. You can never outrun the place you are born if you are willing to promote yourself to the upper class. Gotham is struggling with social unrest, crime, protests, and strikes. In times like these, the gap between the classes gets increasingly divided. Thomas Wayne is portrayed as someone who seeks power and does not care much about the people of Gotham. The introduction of rats during the scene where Thomas Wayne is lying dead shows that the scavengers do not care. Even the super rats as a solution to demolish the rats off the street is a mockery to the hierarchy as well.
Returning to the stairs, when Arthur was leading a simple life, those stairs became a tiresome experience for him. Even before that, we see the water coming down from the flower to the left of his chest after he took a beating from those kids on the street. The weakness within Arthur brings the tear from the flower. But, soon, when he embodies Joker, he paints the blue color under the right eye.
The Joker takes the water from the flower and turns its innocence into a symbol of rebellion amidst the injustice of society. Since the attire becomes the man himself, the tear will not go unnoticed now. Arthur, who found climbing the stairs tiresome, is now Joker, and he dances down the stairs, turning society into a stage where he performs his music.
The Sense of Invincibility
After killing those three men, a sense of fear lingered. But it was only after Arthur killed his own mother that he felt truly liberated. He had long believed that Penny was the only person who truly loved him. However, now he saw her as the source of his suffering. How could a mother let her son endure such pain? Arthur had been wronged countless times, just like many others in society who faced similar injustices. But no one ever stood up for them. It was this lack of care and empathy from society that ultimately drove Arthur to become the Joker and take matters into his own hands, even if it meant killing his own mother.
Once you’ve killed your own mother, what do you really have left to lose? Arthur has embraced a new identity. He is now the face of a protest that could potentially shake the foundations of the government. What comes next? Arthur takes his message to live television and murders the host in front of a global audience. The Joker is born, and he fears nothing. Arthur has always been able to withstand physical abuse, but now the Joker can dish it out just as well. Together, they feel invincible. The world may overlook mental health care. But it cannot ignore the existence of individuals like Arthur.
He wouldn’t have transformed into something superior, something darker for society if only he had been given the same opportunities and care as everyone else. The class divide and injustice in Gotham have given rise to a movement, a religion known as the Joker. People will now take what is rightfully theirs. Scavengers will emerge across Gotham. To guide them, Arthur will return… Joker will wear a happy face when he comes back.
