


In conjunction with the development of the Joker backstory, the film re-imagines the Wayne family. It is certainly not, as Phillips has described it in rejoinders to critics, a film whose realistic presentation of bloodshed is instructive about the nature of violence.
JOAQUIN PHOENIX JOKER MASK FULL
In the end, however, it is a film full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. In its composition of individual scenes and in Phoenix’s performance, the Joker is quite impressive. Sophie is horrified to find him there and it is revealed she remembers him from their one earlier encounter in the elevator, but their whole 'romance' was a delusion and hallucination of Arthur's.Because of scenes of graphic violence and because it is a film about a character whose own violence inspires violence, Joker, directed by Todd Phillips (best known for the Hangover trilogy) and starring Joaquin Phoenix, is one of the most controversial films in recent years. Returning to his apartment block, Arthur makes his way into Sophie's apartment and sits in wait. On the hospital television, Arthur sees the Murray Franklin Show unveil a clip of his poor stand-up performance and he is mocked by Franklin. He later finds a photo of a young Penny with a flattering note on the back from Thomas Wayne, casting doubt over Arthur's discoveries.

These revelations drive Arthur to the hospital where he smothers Penny in her bed. Penny claimed that she was being gaslighted by the system to hide the secret of Arthur's parentage. Visiting Arkham State Hospital, Arthur obtains medical and police records after a violent encounter with a clerk (Brian Tyree Henry) and discovers that he was adopted by Penny, who suffered from psychosis and narcissistic personality disorder and was a victim of domestic abuse from a previous boyfriend, who also abused Arthur repeatedly with no resistance from Penny. He lives with his mother and dreams of appearing on his favourite show with his comedic hero Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro), who he imagines having a paternal relationship with.Īfter losing his job, being beaten on various occasions, and humiliated by former co-workers, Fleck is on the subway when he is abused by three city-slicker types after he distracts them from harassing a female passenger by laughing uncontrollably while still in his clown make-up from work. Suffering from various mental illnesses - including a severe nervous laughter condition - and eventually denied his psychiatric medication, struggling comedian Arthur Fleck is abused and bullied by society.
JOAQUIN PHOENIX JOKER MASK MOVIE
*Warning: Spoilers for Joker movie* Joker movie ending explained The film also stars Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Marc Maron, Brett Cullen, and Frances Conroy.īut how does Joker end? And is there room for a sequel? Set in the 1980s, Joker follows an isolated and bullied failing comedian named Arthur Fleck ( Joaquin Phoenix), whose increasingly fragile mental health threatens the people around him and Gotham City at large, a city where the current balance of power and feeling is shifting at an alarming rate.įrom the ashes of the life of Arthur Fleck, the deadly and frightening Joker emerges. The new DC Comics film from director Todd Phillips tackles Batman lore in a much darker way than we have seen before.
