Joker – A Heartbreaking Villain Origin Story That Haunts (Movie Watch Diary 8)
Welcome back to my Movie Watch Diary on Bookimov: Books & Movies! For my eighth entry, I dove into Joker (2019), directed by Todd Phillips, a chilling and heartbreaking origin story of one of cinema’s most iconic villains. This film gripped me from its gut-wrenching opening, making me pity Arthur Fleck while pondering how he became the Joker we know from Batman lore. It’s a terrifying, thought-provoking ride that earns a 9/10 for its bold storytelling and unforgettable performance. Let’s unpack why this movie is so haunting, and don’t forget—I need your movie picks for my next diary!
Joker (2019) - A Heartbreaking Start and a Broken Soul
Joker opens with Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a struggling clown and aspiring comedian in a gritty, decaying Gotham City. The film’s heartbreaking beginning had me pitying Arthur—a man battered by life, mocked by strangers, and burdened by mental and physical pain. As I watched, I kept thinking: how does this broken man become the chaotic villain we know? The answer is clear—he “snapped,” broken by a cruel world, his mind and soul shattered by trauma. The film masterfully shows this descent, making you empathize with Arthur even as he spirals into darkness.
The Plot and Themes
Set in a grim 1980s Gotham, Joker follows Arthur Fleck, a mentally ill loner living with his mother (Frances Conroy) and struggling to survive in a society that ignores him. He’s plagued by a condition causing uncontrollable laughter, adding to his alienation. After losing his job, facing cuts to his therapy, and enduring relentless bullying, Arthur’s fragile psyche unravels. A pivotal moment comes when he kills three Wall Street types in self-defense on a subway, sparking a movement among Gotham’s downtrodden who see him as a symbol of resistance. As he embraces his Joker persona, marked by iconic makeup and haunting dance sequences, Arthur ignites chaos in a city already on the brink.
The film explores themes of societal neglect, mental illness, and the making of a monster. Unlike typical superhero movies that focus on heroes and paint villains as pure evil, Joker dares to ask: how does a villain come to be? It shows Arthur’s childhood traumas, poverty, and lack of support as catalysts for his transformation. The film also critiques Gotham’s elite, like Thomas Wayne (Brett Cullen), who’s usually portrayed as a benevolent figure in Batman stories but here appears callous, even punching Arthur in a cruel moment. This inversion challenges our assumptions, suggesting society itself births villains like the Joker.
A Villain We Pity and Question
What sets Joker apart is its ability to make you feel for a villain. Arthur’s first kills—those three men on the subway—feel almost justified, as they were tormenting him. This is his breaking point, the moment he tastes violence and, combined with his past traumas, begins his descent into the Joker. The film poses a haunting question: did Arthur ever have a chance to avoid becoming the Joker? Given his untreated mental illness, childhood abuse, and Gotham’s indifference, it’s hard to say he did. Yet, some might argue it’s a choice, adding layers to the moral debate. Joaquin Phoenix’s performance is staggering—his physical transformation, from emaciated frame to eerie dance moves, mirrors Arthur’s mental and emotional collapse, making his pain palpable.
The film’s biggest triumph is making us empathize with a villain while condemning his actions. We see how Gotham’s neglect—its failure to provide therapy or support—creates a monster. The city’s unrest, ignited by Arthur’s actions, turns it into a “ball of flame,” showing how one broken soul can spark chaos. As the film suggests, Gotham’s society, with its apathy and inequality, deserves the Joker it created.
Visuals That Cut Deep
Visually, Joker is a stunner. The gritty, pessimistic Gotham mirrors Arthur’s despair, with muted colors and grimy streets. Yet, the moments when Arthur fully embraces his Joker persona—donning the iconic suit and dancing on stairs or in chaotic streets—are vibrant and unforgettable. These scenes, paired with Hildur Guðnadóttir’s haunting score, elevate the film’s emotional weight. The contrast between the bleak city and Arthur’s colorful transformation is striking, making his descent both tragic and mesmerizing.
A Minor Critique
My only critique is that the film’s portrayal of Thomas Wayne as overtly cruel feels like a bold choice that might alienate Batman fans. It’s a departure from his usual saintly image, and while it serves the story’s critique of the elite, it risks feeling like a plot device. Still, this doesn’t detract from the film’s power—Phoenix’s performance and the story’s depth carry it through.
A Terrifying, Must-See Origin Story
Joker is a rare film that makes you root for a villain while questioning the society that shaped him. It’s not just a villain origin story—it’s a mirror to our world, showing how neglect and cruelty can birth chaos. With its stunning visuals, Phoenix’s Oscar-winning performance (Best Actor at the 92nd Academy Awards), and a narrative that blends pity and terror, it’s a cinematic gut-punch. The film also earned an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes (from 602 critics, average 7.3/10) and 8.4/10 on IMDb (from over 1.5 million votes), plus 11 Oscar nominations and a Golden Lion at Venice. I give it a 9/10 and highly recommend it for its bold take on a villain’s humanity. It’s a film I’ll rewatch to unpack its layers.
What did you think of Joker? Did you pity Arthur or see his choices as unforgivable? Share your thoughts below! Also, I’m hunting for my next Movie Watch Diary pick. Got a movie you think I should watch? Drop your suggestion in the comments, and it might star in my next post on Bookimov: Books & Movies. Until next time, keep questioning the heroes and villains!
