LogFAQs > #970253599

Joker was on my to-watch list, so I skipped reading its write-up at first. I've watched it now and come back to read the write-up. The film grabbed my attention even though it's not an easy watch. I felt quite uncomfortable at times too, though not quite as much as what it sounds like it affected you.

I think what really got me is that pretty much everyone goes out of their way to be as mean to Arthur as possible, in big ways like being physically assaulted or humiliated live on TV, or in small ways like that lady who yells at him on the bus while he's entertaining her son. Even Alfred is a jerk in this universe! Arthur is just one of those people the world hates and seems to take great enjoyment from making his life a misery at every opportunity. Even after all of that, Joker isn't totally irredeemable yet. He let Gary leave his apartment, even though he could have easily reported the crime he witnessed to the police.

I know Joker isn't part of the DCEU, but I did have a headcanon that Joaquin Phoenix Joker had kidnapped Robin and tortured him to insanity, which drove Batman to kill JPJ. Meanwhile, Robin grew up to become Jared Leto Joker. Batman kept Robin's suit in the Batcave to remind himself of what he had lost in his crusade against crime, and of the life he had taken, something he must never repeat.