Joker

Main Plot

Joker follows the story of Arthur Fleck, a struggling comedian living in Gotham City, who faces a life filled with neglect, abuse, and societal rejection. Working as a party clown by day, Arthur dreams of becoming a successful stand-up comedian, but his attempts are met with failure and ridicule. As he grapples with his mental health issues and the harsh realities of his life, he becomes increasingly isolated and disillusioned. The city around him is plagued by crime and corruption, fueling his anger and frustration. After a series of traumatic events, Arthur's descent into madness culminates in a transformation into the iconic figure of the Joker, a symbol of chaos and rebellion. The film explores themes of mental illness, societal neglect, and the impact of violence, ultimately portraying Arthur's journey from a marginalized individual to a figure of infamy.

Characters

• Joaquin Phoenix plays Arthur Fleck, a struggling comedian who descends into madness and becomes a symbol of chaos in Gotham City.
• Robert De Niro plays Murray Franklin, a talk show host whose interactions with the protagonist significantly influence the latter's descent into madness and chaos.
• Zazie Beetz plays Sophie Dumond, a single mother and neighbor who becomes the object of Arthur Fleck's romantic fantasies, highlighting his deepening detachment from reality.

Ending Explained

In the ending of Joker, Arthur Fleck fully embraces his identity as the Joker after a series of violent events culminate in chaos across Gotham City. Following the murder of talk show host Murray Franklin, which Arthur sees as a pivotal moment of recognition, he becomes a symbol of rebellion for the disenfranchised citizens of Gotham. As riots erupt in the city, fueled by his actions and the societal unrest, Arthur revels in the chaos he has incited. The climax occurs when Arthur is arrested and taken to a police car, where he witnesses the culmination of the riots. The Joker's influence has sparked a movement, with his followers celebrating his transformation into a figure of anarchy. This moment resolves the main conflict of Arthur's struggle for identity and societal acceptance, as he fully rejects the norms of society and embraces his role as an agent of chaos. The film concludes with Arthur in a psychiatric hospital, laughing to himself, suggesting that his journey has led him to a place of twisted contentment. The ending reinforces the themes of mental illness, societal neglect, and the consequences of alienation, leaving viewers to ponder the implications of Arthur's transformation and the societal factors that contributed to it.