Why Do We Live?, Nihilism in the Joker Movie
Joker (2019), directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix as the titular character, has been widely discussed not only as a gritty reimagining of the iconic DC villain but also as a film that tackles existential and philosophical themes, particularly nihilism. Through its dark portrayal of Arthur Fleck’s descent into madness and his eventual transformation into the Joker, the film delves into the moral decay of society, the meaninglessness of life, and the rejection of traditional values.
Nihilism, a philosophical stance that denies the existence of inherent meaning or value in life, permeates Joker at every level. The film uses the story of Arthur Fleck as a lens through which to explore the devastating effects of societal neglect, personal suffering, and the rejection of conventional moral frameworks. This article will analyze how Joker embodies nihilistic philosophy, examining the psychological development of Arthur Fleck, the socio-political landscape he inhabits, and the film’s critique of societal norms and systems.
Understanding Nihilism: The Foundation of the Joker’s Philosophy
Before diving into the specifics of Joker, it is essential to understand the core tenets of nihilism. Nihilism, at its core, posits that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value. It rejects traditional beliefs in morality, religion, and even human significance. There are different branches of nihilism, but existential nihilism, in particular, denies that life has any inherent purpose or meaning. This bleak worldview often leads individuals to question the value of societal structures, laws, and norms.
In the context of Joker, nihilism manifests in the character of Arthur Fleck, who gradually sheds any remaining belief in traditional systems and societal values. As the film progresses, Arthur’s transformation into the Joker serves as an embodiment of nihilism—he rejects societal expectations, moral codes, and personal responsibility. The Joker’s actions become a form of defiance against a world he views as meaningless, chaotic, and inherently unjust.
Arthur Fleck’s Descent: The Breaking Point of the Human Spirit
The character of Arthur Fleck is integral to understanding nihilism in Joker. At the beginning of the film, Arthur is presented as a socially awkward, mentally ill man who is desperate for love and acceptance. He works as a clown for hire, putting on a mask of humor to entertain others, but his reality is filled with rejection, humiliation, and violence. Arthur’s relationship with his mother, Penny, is strained and emotionally abusive, and he struggles to find a place in a society that seems to have no empathy for his suffering.
Arthur’s mental illness, which includes a condition that causes uncontrollable laughter at inappropriate moments, further alienates him from the world around him. His inability to connect with others in a meaningful way deepens his sense of isolation and self-loathing. As he faces repeated setbacks and mistreatment, Arthur begins to question the fairness and value of life. His experiences echo the core of nihilistic thought, as he increasingly feels that the world is indifferent to his existence.
What drives Arthur toward his eventual transformation into the Joker is a series of traumatic events that challenge his already fragile sense of self-worth. He is constantly belittled by society, ignored by the system, and mistreated by those in positions of power. His yearning for human connection is consistently thwarted, and his mental health deteriorates as a result. The film portrays the tipping point where Arthur’s internal suffering leads him to abandon any belief in justice, morality, or social order.
Arthur’s breakdown is marked by the murder of three young men on the subway. Initially, Arthur defends himself against their bullying, but the act of violence becomes a turning point in his transformation. For the first time in the film, Arthur feels a sense of power and agency as he takes the lives of others. His actions are driven not by a desire for revenge or justice but by a deep sense of release from a world that has constantly oppressed him. This act of violence signals the beginning of Arthur’s full embrace of nihilism, as he realizes that life is chaotic, unpredictable, and indifferent to human suffering.
The Role of Society: Alienation and Disillusionment
One of the most striking aspects of Joker is the film’s portrayal of a decaying, morally bankrupt society. Set in Gotham City during a time of economic crisis and social unrest, the film presents a world where the rich and powerful are indifferent to the suffering of the poor and disenfranchised. The divide between the haves and the have-nots is stark, and the film highlights the systemic failures that perpetuate inequality and suffering.
Arthur Fleck’s struggles are emblematic of the alienation felt by many individuals in this societal framework. He is failed by every system he encounters: his mother’s delusions, the social services that cut his mental health care, and the lack of empathy from those around him. Gotham City, as depicted in the film, is a place where the weak are discarded, and only those with power and resources can thrive. The absence of a meaningful social safety net or a compassionate support system contributes to Arthur’s growing sense of disillusionment.
In a nihilistic sense, society itself is a reflection of the void that Arthur experiences within himself. Just as Arthur feels that his life has no meaning or value, so too does Gotham City appear to be a place where social order is an illusion, and the suffering of its citizens is largely ignored. The film paints a grim picture of the social fabric of Gotham, where the powerless are left to fend for themselves, and the government and elites are uninterested in addressing the root causes of the city’s many problems.
The societal failure to care for its most vulnerable members contributes directly to Arthur’s nihilism. His belief that the world is inherently unjust and uncaring is only reinforced by his interactions with those in positions of authority. From his social worker to the talk show host Murray Franklin, Arthur is repeatedly dismissed and ridiculed by those who represent societal power. This rejection deepens his sense of alienation and further convinces him that the world is meaningless.
The Joker as an Embodiment of Nihilism: Rejection of Morality and Social Order
As Arthur fully embraces his identity as the Joker, he rejects any remaining notion of morality, justice, or social order. The Joker, as a character, has always been an embodiment of chaos, but in Joker, this chaos is framed through a nihilistic lens. Arthur’s transformation into the Joker represents his final break from society’s expectations, and he becomes an agent of destruction rather than creation.
One of the key aspects of the Joker’s nihilistic philosophy is his complete rejection of moral codes. Throughout the film, Arthur struggles with questions of right and wrong, but as he descends into madness, these questions become irrelevant to him. He no longer feels bound by any ethical standards. His violence is not driven by a desire for personal gain or revenge but by a desire to break free from the constraints of society. The Joker becomes a symbol of anarchy, a force that disrupts the existing order without offering any clear alternative.
The Joker’s nihilism is also reflected in his disregard for human life. In a particularly chilling moment of the film, Arthur confesses that he doesn’t believe in anything anymore, and that the world is a joke. His actions—from the subway killings to his eventual acts of violence on the Murray Franklin Show—are not motivated by hatred or revenge but by a profound sense of meaninglessness. He sees life as absurd, and his actions reflect his belief that nothing has intrinsic value.
The film’s depiction of the Joker’s nihilism is most evident in his interactions with Murray Franklin, the talk show host. In a climactic moment, when the Joker is invited onto the show, he declares that the world is a “comedy,” and that all the suffering and chaos he has experienced is part of a larger, absurd narrative. This moment encapsulates the Joker’s philosophy: a rejection of meaning, morality, and order. His actions on the show are a culmination of his belief that the world is an unfeeling, chaotic place, and that there is no inherent value in the systems that claim to bring order to it.
The Joker and the Absurd: A Tragic Exploration of Existentialism
While Joker is primarily a film about nihilism, it also touches on existentialist themes. Existentialism, like nihilism, grapples with the question of meaning in life but offers a different response. Whereas nihilism asserts that life has no meaning, existentialism posits that individuals must create their own meaning in an indifferent and often hostile world. In Joker, Arthur’s journey is one of attempting to find meaning in an absurd and uncaring universe, but his failure to do so leads him to embrace the nihilistic rejection of all values.
Arthur’s descent into madness can be seen as a tragic exploration of existential despair. He seeks meaning in his relationships and in his work as a comedian, but every attempt is thwarted by rejection and humiliation. His failure to find any lasting purpose or connection with others ultimately drives him to embrace a philosophy of meaninglessness. In this sense, the Joker becomes an embodiment of the existentialist nightmare: a person who has been abandoned by meaning and must grapple with the absurdity of existence.
The Joker’s ultimate act of violence and rebellion can be seen as an existential choice. In rejecting the systems of morality and social order, he chooses to live authentically according to his own nihilistic beliefs. However, this authenticity is not liberating but destructive, leading to chaos and the breakdown of society. In Joker, the pursuit of meaninglessness through nihilism does not lead to freedom but to a deeper sense of alienation and moral decay.
The Cultural Impact: Joker as a Reflection of Our Times
The film Joker resonated with audiences worldwide, sparking debates about its portrayal of mental illness, social inequality, and violence. Beyond its narrative, Joker taps into the broader cultural anxieties of our time—particularly the sense of alienation, frustration, and disillusionment felt by many individuals in an increasingly fragmented and polarized society. Arthur Fleck’s transformation into the Joker serves as an allegory for the feeling of being abandoned by the very systems that are supposed to offer meaning and structure to life.
In a world where political and social systems seem to fail the most vulnerable, where mental health issues are often ignored or stigmatized, and where the divide between the rich and poor continues to widen, the Joker’s nihilistic worldview resonates as a reflection of the cultural climate. The film offers a harsh critique of a society that leaves its citizens to fend for themselves, while simultaneously providing a space for the audience to reflect on the consequences of societal neglect.
Conclusion: Nihilism in Joker as a Cautionary Tale
Joker is a film that boldly explores the themes of nihilism, existentialism, and the consequences of societal alienation. Through the character of Arthur Fleck and his transformation into the Joker, the film delves into the destructive power of nihilism—the belief that life is meaningless and that traditional values are void of significance. By rejecting morality and societal order, the Joker becomes a force of chaos and destruction, an embodiment of the consequences of living without meaning in an absurd world.
Ultimately, Joker serves as a cautionary tale. It reminds us that the rejection of meaning and values can lead to a sense of isolation, disillusionment, and violence. While the film presents a bleak and unsettling view of the world, it also invites us to consider the importance of compassion, societal responsibility, and the search for meaning in an increasingly complex and challenging world.