Joker Ending Explained, Where to Watch Joker?
by Ushapriyanga | Updated Jul 22, 2023
Joker
Joker is a critically acclaimed American film released in 2019. It falls under the genres of neo-noir, psychological thriller, and drama. The movie was directed by Todd Phillips, who also collaborated with Scott Silver to co-write the screenplay. Based on characters from DC Comics, Joker presents a standalone origin story for the iconic character.
The film centers around Arthur Fleck, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, who is a struggling clown with aspirations of becoming a successful stand-up comedian. Set in the year 1981, the story unfolds in a deteriorating Gotham City, reflecting a society plagued by decay and inequality. As Arthur faces a series of hardships and personal challenges, he gradually descends into mental illness and nihilism, losing touch with reality.
Joker's portrayal of Arthur's transformation into the infamous Joker character serves as a dark exploration of the human psyche. Joaquin Phoenix's brilliant performance earned him widespread acclaim and accolades.
The movie also features notable supporting roles, including Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, and Frances Conroy. Robert De Niro plays an influential figure in the story, impacting Arthur's life significantly.
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, Joker was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Films. Village Roadshow Pictures, Bron Creative, and Joint Effort were also involved in its production.
Joker's thought-provoking narrative delves into the themes of societal inequality, mental health, and the consequences of neglecting those who are struggling in society. It resonated with audiences worldwide and sparked discussions about the dark side of humanity and the potential consequences of societal negligence. The film's ability to captivate and disturb viewers simultaneously contributed to its success and impact on popular culture
Joker Ending Explained
The ending of Todd Phillips' Joker presents a thought-provoking twist for the audience. Throughout the film, we witness the compelling origin story of Arthur Fleck, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix. We see his transformation from a mentally troubled street clown to unintentionally leading a riot against the wealthy elites in Gotham City. Arthur's life is portrayed as tragic, marked by a lack of love and support from his mother, co-workers, neighbors, and society at large.
As the story climaxes, we are confronted with a chaotic scene where citizens don Joker masks and wreak havoc in the city. In a fateful turn, one of the rioters kills Thomas and Martha Wayne, setting the stage for Bruce Wayne to become Batman. This twist implies that Joker, in an unexpected manner, becomes the catalyst for the creation of his ultimate nemesis, Batman.
However, the film takes a surprising turn as we discover that everything we've seen might just be a fabrication. The narrative is revealed to be a story Arthur tells to a psychiatrist in the mental asylum where he is held. The film concludes with a chilling scene of Arthur having seemingly killed the psychiatrist and being pursued through the asylum.
The ambiguity of the ending leaves us questioning the authenticity of the events we witnessed. Was the Joker's origin story real, or was it merely a product of Arthur's disturbed mind? The film deliberately keeps us guessing, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.
While this twist creates a sense of uncertainty and intrigue, it also raises questions about the film's underlying themes and messages. At times, Arthur is portrayed as sympathetic, victimized by a harsh society, while at other moments, he is depicted as a menacing and violent individual. The ending's ambiguity, while attempting to challenge the audience's perception, can also leave some viewers feeling uncertain about the film's overall narrative direction.
The movie attempts to explore the complex relationship between Joker and Batman, offering an unconventional take on their origins as intertwined figures. However, by trying to combine multiple thematic elements, the film's focus becomes somewhat diluted. It leaves viewers wanting a more coherent and decisive exploration of either Joker's role as Batman's dark mirror or the unreliability of Arthur's narrative.
In conclusion, Joker's ending is meant to be enigmatic and thought-provoking, leaving us to question the truth behind the origin story we witnessed. While this approach can be intriguing, it also risks muddling the film's themes and weakening its overall impact.
The audience is left to ponder the nature of Joker's reality, adding an element of uncertainty to the complex character portrayal. Nevertheless, some viewers may find themselves longing for a more decisive and focused exploration of the film's central ideas.
Joker Plot
Arthur Fleck is a clown and aspiring stand-up comedian residing in the crime-infested city of Gotham with his mother, Penny. He grapples with a neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable fits of laughter, requiring medication he relies on social services for.
After an assault by troublemakers, his co-worker Randall gives him a gun for self-defense. Arthur becomes enamored with his neighbor, Sophie, a single mother, and invites her to watch his comedy act at a club.
Unfortunately, Arthur's life takes a turn for the worse when he loses his job at a children's hospital due to an incident involving the gun. Despite explaining that Randall gave it to him, his pleas are dismissed.
On his way home on the subway, Arthur becomes a victim of mockery and physical abuse by drunken businessmen from Wayne Investments. In an act of self-defense, he fatally shoots two of them and chases down the third to eliminate any potential threat. This incident sparks a movement of protesters donning clown masks in Arthur's image, reflecting their frustration with Gotham's social inequality.
Budget cuts subsequently halt the social service program, leaving Arthur without access to his necessary medication. As a result, his mental state worsens. During a failed performance at a comedy club, Arthur's uncontrollable laughter and unsuccessful jokes leave him humiliated.
His life further spirals downward when he discovers a letter from Penny to Thomas Wayne, suggesting that Arthur is Thomas' illegitimate son. However, when he confronts Thomas at a theater, Thomas denies the claim.
Distraught, Arthur investigates further and learns that Penny was an abusive and neglectful mother, and he was adopted by her while she worked for the Wayne family. As his life crumbles around him, Arthur's obsession with the persona of a clown intensifies. He creates a plan to commit suicide during a live appearance on Murray Franklin's popular talk show.
As the city descends into chaos, Arthur goes on the show and, embracing the moniker "Joker," unleashes his grievances against society and its mistreatment of the mentally ill and downtrodden. He confesses to the subway murders and shoots Murray live on air. Chaos ensues in Gotham, leading to the tragic deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne, which sets the stage for Bruce Wayne to become Batman.
Following his arrest, Arthur finds himself in Arkham, laughing to himself about a joke he refuses to share with his therapist, indicating his continued descent into madness. The film concludes with him being pursued down a corridor by an orderly as his laughter echoes throughout the asylum.
In this retelling of Joker, we witness Arthur's journey from a struggling comedian to the chaos-inducing Joker, driven by a combination of society's neglect, personal tragedies, and his own unraveling mental state. The narrative skillfully explores the complexities of his character and the dark underbelly of Gotham City.
Where to Watch Joker?
The movie "Joker" is available for purchase on various digital platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Additionally, it can be rented on platforms like Google Play Movies, YouTube, Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Tata Play online.
"Joker" is a 2019 American film directed by Todd Phillips, featuring Joaquin Phoenix as the lead character, Arthur Fleck, who ultimately transforms into the iconic Joker. The movie serves as a standalone origin story for the beloved DC Comics character, exploring the psychological journey of Arthur Fleck as he descends into madness and becomes the Joker.
For those interested in experiencing this thought-provoking and intense film, the option to purchase or rent "Joker" on digital platforms provides easy access to the movie at their convenience. Viewers can buy the movie on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube, allowing them to own a digital copy of the film and watch it anytime they wish.
Overall, the availability of "Joker" on various digital platforms ensures that fans of the character, as well as film enthusiasts, have easy access to this compelling and award-winning film. Whether purchased for long-term ownership or rented for a single viewing, audiences can immerse themselves in the haunting and thought-provoking journey of Arthur Fleck as he transforms into the enigmatic and iconic Joker.
Joker Cast
Character
Actor
Arthur Fleck / Joker
Joaquin Phoenix
Murray Franklin
Robert De Niro
Sophie Dumond
Zazie Beetz
Penny Fleck
Frances Conroy
Young Penny
Hannah Gross
Joker Netflix
The movie "Joker" is available for streaming on Netflix in 15 countries. However, it's important to note that the accessibility of movies and TV series on Netflix is region-based.
"Joker," the 2019 American film directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix, can be enjoyed by Netflix subscribers in 15 specific countries. These countries have the licensing rights to stream the movie on the platform, allowing viewers in those regions to easily watch it online.
However, it's essential to understand that the content library on Netflix varies from country to country due to licensing agreements and regional restrictions. Different countries may have different available movies and TV series, and "Joker" being available in specific regions does not guarantee its availability worldwide on Netflix.
This region-based accessibility is a common practice in the streaming industry. Licensing agreements with content creators and distributors determine which titles can be offered in which countries. As a result, the content available to Netflix subscribers can differ depending on their geographic location.
Joker Ending Explained: FAQs
"Joker" falls under the genres of neo-noir, psychological thriller, and drama. It offers a dark and thought-provoking exploration of the iconic character's origin story.
The film "Joker" was directed by Todd Phillips, who is also one of the co-writers of the screenplay alongside Scott Silver.
Joaquin Phoenix portrays Arthur Fleck, the troubled clown and aspiring stand-up comedian who eventually transforms into the iconic Joker.
The movie follows Arthur Fleck, a struggling clown with a neurological disorder causing uncontrollable laughter. As he faces hardships and personal challenges, he descends into mental illness and nihilism, eventually adopting a clown-themed criminal persona.
You can watch "Joker" on various digital platforms. It is available for purchase on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Additionally, you can rent it on Google Play Movies, YouTube, Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Tata Play online.