Joker

In Gotham City during 1981, Arthur Fleck works at Ha-Ha's as a clown-for-hire. Despite this, he suffers from deep depression, seeking solace through laughter and attempting to connect with others around him.

Arthur is tasked with promoting a store by dancing with a sign but faces humiliation when a group of punk teenagers steals it. In his attempt to retrieve the sign, he is violently assaulted in a dark alley, marking a turning point in his struggles.

Amidst Gotham's rampant crime and poverty, Arthur relies on a social worker for his medication. This dependency highlights his struggles in a society that increasingly marginalizes those suffering from mental illness.

Arthur tries to entertain a child on a bus, hoping for a moment of connection. However, he is rebuffed by the child's mother, emphasizing his profound loneliness and the misunderstandings surrounding his laughter.

Arthur shares a small apartment with his ailing mother, Penny, where they often watch Murray Franklin's talk show together. During these moments, Arthur imagines a different life filled with acceptance and love, contrasting his harsh reality.

After being frightened by a mugging, Arthur's co-worker Randall gifts him a gun for protection. Initially apprehensive, Arthur finds a strange sense of empowerment in the weapon, which starkly contrasts with his boss's disdain.

Arthur develops a romantic interest in his neighbor Sophie Dumond, who seems to understand him like no one else. Their relationship, however, is complicated by Arthur's deep insecurities and struggles with social interaction.

During a visit to cheer up sick children at a hospital, Arthur's mental state worsens as his gun slips from his pocket. This incident results in grave repercussions from his boss, further stressing his fragile psyche.

Arthur is attacked on the subway by three Wall Street men, triggering a primal response within him. In a moment of self-defense, he kills them, a shocking act that marks a significant shift in his mental state and identity.

After the subway incident, Arthur feels a strange liberation and begins to fully embrace his identity as a clown. This transformation symbolizes his acceptance of madness and the chaotic nature of his existence.

Arthur uncovers unsettling truths about his past, including a potential connection to Thomas Wayne. This information leads him to confront Wayne, igniting feelings of betrayal and deepening his emotional turmoil.

Faced with revelations about his mother's abusive history, Arthur experiences a profound sense of betrayal. This culminates in a drastic and tragic confrontation with her, marking a critical point in his descent into madness.

Arthur prepares for his appearance on Murray Franklin's show, painting his face as a symbolic gesture of his full transformation into the Joker. His on-stage appearance escalates into violence, shocking both the audience and the city.

Following Arthur's explosive confession on the show, Gotham descends into chaos as his violent actions inspire rebellion. The city becomes a battleground of conflicting ideologies and symbols of hope and despair.

The film concludes with Arthur in an Arkham Asylum office, sharing a dark laugh with a new social worker. This moment underscores the cyclical nature of his existence and the chaos he leaves in his wake.