The Mind-Bending Finale of Joker Unveiled: Shocking Secrets Revealed!

Highlights

The Joker film surpassed all initial predictions, mesmerizing audiences with flawless performances, captivating narrative, and breathtaking set designs, ultimately emerging as a magnificent chronicle of the origins of one of humanity's most renowned adversaries.

The uncertain conclusion has fans speculating about the boundaries between reality and the illusions of Arthur Fleck's mind. Originally, Todd Phillips had no plans for a sequel, purposefully allowing room for individual interpretation.

The Joker's path towards a life of crime and his metamorphosis into the Joker commence following the profound sense of betrayal stemming from his mother's deceit. This prompts him to make a bold appearance on a talk show, where he declares his crusade of criminal activities, triggering widespread unrest and firmly establishing himself as a emblem of the working class.

With the release of Joker: Folie a Deux approaching, it is a perfect time to reflect on the singular comic book movie that Todd Phillips always desired to create. The initial reaction from fans was divided, uncertain of whether a Joker film could truly succeed. However, it is now undeniable that it not only surpassed all expectations but also united everyone in admiration. The exceptional performances, captivating storyline, and meticulously designed sets collectively contributed to an extraordinary comic book movie experience. It served as a remarkable origin story for one of the most beloved villains in popular culture. While there have been numerous portrayals of this character, Joaquin Phoenix unquestionably made it his own.

Nonetheless, the conclusion of the film left some fans perplexed, as it presented a degree of ambiguity, blurring the line between reality and Arthur Fleck's imagination. Todd Phillips intentionally introduced uncertainties throughout the movie, culminating in the final scenes, inviting fans to contemplate and interpret them through their own unique perspective. When Phillips initially conceived the film, he never envisioned creating a sequel. He hoped that the movie would speak for itself. Therefore, presented here is one potential interpretation.

Who is the Joker?

In the realm of comic books, Gotham is plagued by multiple Jokers who constantly pose a challenge for the Caped Crusader. With three Jokers in existence, writer Geoff Johns introduced "The Comedian" based on Alan Moore's Batman: The Killing Joke, alongside "The Clown" and "The Criminal." "The Comedian" closely resembles Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Arthur Fleck as the Joker. Similar to the character in The Killing Joke, Arthur Fleck is a struggling comedian with a tragic past. Living in a city divided by social classes, Arthur has repressed memories of childhood abuse. Raised by a (adoptive) mother who is his sole companion, he yearns for a meaningful connection. However, his fragile empathy shatters when he discovers his mother's deceit regarding his true parentage.

When Arthur's grasp on reality crumbled, his delusions crumbled with it. While the killing of three businessmen earlier in the film may have marked the beginning of his slide into criminality, it could be argued that it was an act of self-defense, or at least that's how Arthur rationalized it. However, the profound betrayal he experienced from his mother's lies transformed his empathy into seething rage and a galvanized sense of self-righteousness. In a climactic act, Arthur's own mother became the catalyst for his transformation into the Joker. Freed from the constraints imposed by his mother, the Joker emerged, ready to unleash havoc and anarchy, culminating in his appearance on Murray Franklin's show and the declaration of his campaign of criminality.

How Does Joker End?

Gotham was precariously perched on a tightrope between order and chaos even before Arthur made his appearance on Murray Franklin's show. However, it was the Joker who ultimately emerged as the definitive symbol the working class rallied behind. In a shocking turn of events, Arthur openly confessed to his crimes on live television, prompting Murray to question him and challenge the audience's hypocrisy in their negative reaction. The tension escalated to a boiling point during a heated debate, resulting in Joker unleashing his pent-up rage and fatally shooting Murray in the head, abruptly concluding the broadcast.

As the police escorted Joker away, he observed the protests against the affluent and powerful individuals of Gotham erupt into violent riots due to his appearance on the Murray Franklin Show. The sight of the city that had forsaken him descending into anarchy brought a twisted grin to his face. However, his satisfaction was short-lived when an ambulance, driven by two citizens adorned in clown masks, careened into the car that was transporting Joker. As Arthur regained consciousness, he found himself being rescued from the wreckage by the two clowns, who placed him on the hood of the demolished police vehicle. A frenzied mob of masked rioters encircled Joker, worshipping him in reverence.

Following a brief glimpse of Batman's origins unfolding amidst the chaos gripping the city, the screen fades to black, only to reemerge displaying Arthur confined within a cell. A therapist sits alongside him, inquiring about the cause of his laughter. With a cryptic smirk, he responds, "You wouldn't understand." He then proceeds to recite the poignant lyrics of Frank Sinatra's "That's Life," which hold significant meaning.

Was it all in Joker's Head?

The lyrics voiced by Arthur declare: "That's life, and strangely enough/Some individuals find satisfaction/Crushing someone's aspirations." Arthur seems to be someone who derives pleasure from extinguishing someone's dreams. But whose dreams exactly? There exist several possibilities: Bruce Wayne's longing for a joyous existence, forever shattered after the riots claimed his parents' lives; the late Murray Franklin, whom Arthur murdered; and Arthur's very own aspirations of becoming a stand-up comedian, which he ultimately abandoned.

The conclusion of Joker leaves the audience with some uncertainty, as it shifts to a scene where a psychiatrist is interviewing Arthur, who is attired entirely in white. Many viewers interpret this sequence as taking place after the riots that Arthur inspired. However, this is not the first time Arthur has been confined to a mental health facility. Earlier in the film, Arthur mentions a previous hospitalization, prompting his social worker to inquire if he has reconsidered his thoughts on the matter. Arthur dismisses the topic casually, and a brief shot reveals him dressed in white in a room resembling the one featured in the movie's final scene.

There is a strong implication that a significant portion of the events depicted in the movie were imagined by Arthur. This is reinforced earlier in the film when he interacts with his neighbor, with whom he envisions an entire relationship. The movie establishes Arthur as an unreliable narrator, leaving the audience uncertain about what parts are real and what parts are imaginary.

The release of Joker: Folie a Deux may provide fans with a definitive answer. It is unlikely that a sequel could happen if most of the events in Joker were merely products of Arthur's imagination, unless the events in Joker: Folie a Deux are also imagined by Arthur.