Nour Hany
Review
The Joker is, without a doubt, one of the most significant characters in the comic book world and in Gotham City. In 2019, this character was introduced in a completely different and unique context that made us rethink everything we thought we knew about mental health and the darkness surrounding it. Unlike previous iterations, this film offers a gritty, realistic origin story that examines the making of a villain through the lens of mental illness and societal neglect.
Cast and Crew
Todd Phillips directed and wrote Joker (2019) with Scott Silver as a co-writer. The choice of the cast was impressive, with Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck in the titular role, along with Robert De Niro as Murray Franklin, the TV show host. Zazie Beetz plays Sophie, Fleck’s neighbour, and Frances Conroy plays Penny, Fleck’s mother.
Phoenix is known for his remarkable roles and the depth within his characters. For this particular role, Phoenix had to lose a significant amount of weight, embody the character of a man suffering from a type of mental illness that no one takes seriously, and deliver a perfect yet painful performance. This character is presented to shed light on the consequences of neglecting mental illness and how far pain could take you to make your voice heard.
Plot Summary
This is not like any other Joker movie you have ever watched before. The plot follows Arthur Fleck, a struggling comedian who lives with his mother in Gotham City and battles with mental illnesses while facing rejection from society. Fleck also suffers financially, which affects his mental health because he cannot get the therapy or the treatment that he needs. We follow him on his regular visits to the social worker, who monitors his mental health condition because that is the only support available, as he cannot afford to see a therapist or pay for his medications.
We witness Fleck’s journey as he suffers from a condition that makes him burst into uncontrollable laughter at inappropriate times. This condition puts him in awkward situations with people to the extent that he may be hit or ridiculed whenever he experiences one of these episodes. Fleck also develops feelings for his neighbour, Sophie, and we watch as he believes they form a relationship. However, we later discover that he was hallucinating this connection, and his neighbour doesn’t even know him.
Fleck’s mental state deteriorates when everything starts to collapse simultaneously. He loses his regular sessions with the social worker, uncovers disturbing secrets about his origins, and learns his mother was not who he thought she was. When the world plunges him into his darkest nightmares, Fleck can’t find a way out, and he becomes a ticking bomb.
The Transformation into the Joker
The first violent act of Fleck became a revolutionary statement, and from that moment, he began his transformation into the Joker—a hero to some and a villain to many. He killed three young men on a subway after they mocked him, which reflected the repetitive mistreatment he had experienced throughout his life. However, this time, he couldn’t control his temper and shot them dead immediately. Initially, no one saw Fleck’s face, and no one knew who committed the crime.
Later, Fleck’s video as a stand-up comedian went viral, and he was invited as a guest on his favourite TV show with Murray Franklin. On set, Fleck revealed his identity as the man behind the subway shootings and then shot Franklin in the head on live television. The horrific murder shocked the world, and many people started praising the Joker, wearing his mask and adopting his approach as a symbol of rebellion against a broken system.
Mental Disorders and How They Are Portrayed in the Film
“The worst part of having a mental illness is that people expect you to behave as if you don’t have it.”
This poignant entry from Arthur Fleck’s notebook resonates with many viewers. It’s important to clarify that Fleck’s violence in the film is not portrayed as a direct result of his mental illness; rather, his experiences within a callous society and his personality traits are presented as the primary catalysts for his actions, with the neglect of his mental health only exacerbating his situation.
Throughout the film, there is no specific diagnosis given for what Arthur Fleck suffers from. However, based on the symptoms portrayed, mental health professionals have identified several conditions that his character appears to exhibit:
Fleck frequently bursts into laughter for no apparent reason, suggesting Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA). This neurological condition causes sudden, uncontrollable episodes of laughing or crying, making social interactions extremely difficult and often causing physical discomfort when episodes are prolonged.
We also discover that Fleck endured a traumatic childhood, suffering emotional and physical abuse from his mother and her partner. One instance of abuse resulted in brain injury, which could have contributed to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other neurological complications.
Additionally, when Fleck learns that his mother adopted him and that his biological father might be Thomas Wayne (Batman’s father), his anger intensifies at having endured a deprived life while potentially entitled to wealth and comfort.
Other concerning traits include Fleck’s lack of remorse for his killings (suggesting antisocial tendencies), his craving for attention (narcissistic traits), and signs of depression and anxiety. He also experiences mixed emotional states, sometimes laughing and crying simultaneously, which could indicate emotional dysregulation consistent with conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
Mental Health and Government Neglect
“They don’t give a shit about people like you … and they don’t give a shit about people like me either.”
These words from the social worker to Fleck highlight the film’s critique of public mental health services. The movie doesn’t shy away from exposing how mental health is often neglected globally. Social workers are portrayed as underpaid and overwhelmed, while patients fail to receive adequate care, causing the entire mental health infrastructure to collapse.
What Makes Joker (2019) Different and Great
This version of the Joker character stands on its own as a completely different portrayal of the villain we know. For decades, the Joker was presented as simply a maniacal criminal with a painted face who killed indiscriminately. Phillips’ film, however, shows the long and painful process that created the Joker and explores the factors that transformed a troubled individual into the infamous villain.
The film succeeds as a masterpiece in portraying society’s effect on the individual. Its greatness lies in the visceral experience of inhabiting Fleck’s dark and suffering mind. Few directors manage to make audiences view the world so completely through a character’s perspective. Moreover, the film generates sympathy for a character traditionally seen as purely villainous, similar to what “Maleficent” (2014) achieved with Angelina Jolie’s character. This approach to renowned villains offers a new perspective by presenting their side of the story.
Society’s Impact on the Individual
The injustice and cruelty of society, combined with the continuous abuse from his family beginning in early childhood, coalesce to create the villain known as the Joker. This raises an important question: Does the Joker kill indiscriminately, or does he target those who, from his perspective, deserve punishment?
The film suggests the latter—the subway riders were cruel and mocked him; Murray Franklin publicly humiliated him and represented a society oblivious to Fleck’s suffering. The Joker appears to target those who embody the callousness, capitalism, and corruption that contributed to his creation. The tragic implication is that the Joker never wanted to hurt anyone; the wounded child within him simply wanted to grow up happy and at peace.
Conclusion: A Call for Compassion
The film ultimately serves as a powerful reminder about the impact of human connection. It doesn’t take much effort to show kindness to others, and such small actions can make an enormous difference to someone struggling with darkness. A kind word, a genuine smile, or a simple greeting can sometimes provide the support needed to get through a difficult day.
“Joker” challenges viewers to consider how their interactions might affect others, particularly those battling invisible struggles. In portraying the tragic transformation of Arthur Fleck into the Joker, the film doesn’t justify violence but instead asks us to examine the societal failures that can push vulnerable individuals to their breaking point.