Next week marks the release of a highly anticipated film delving into the origins of the Joker, Batman’s most iconic adversary. He embodies chaos and moral decay, a stark contrast to Batman’s dedication to justice and order. The Joker is a terrifying killer masked by the guise of a whimsical clown.
The Joker’s backstory has been a subject of intense cinematic interest for years, and commercially, this new movie is a smart move. Since Heath Ledger’s unforgettable portrayal in 2008’s The Dark Knight, the Joker has captivated audiences with a morbid fascination within superhero culture. He represents a dark, unsettling form of evil, yet paradoxically, it’s a magnetic, charismatic evil. He enthralls viewers, almost compelling us to laugh alongside him even when his actions should inspire disgust and horror.
I’m still undecided about seeing The Joker. The concept of a villain-centric movie, devoid of the hero who typically anchors the narrative’s morality, makes me uneasy. While Venom did surprise me, surpassing my low expectations – and Venom does have a comic history as an anti-hero independent of Spider-Man – my concern with The Joker is the potential for further glorification of this character. This could exacerbate the problematic idolization that followed Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight.
In The Dark Knight, Ledger undeniably steals every scene. (For more insights on The Dark Knight Trilogy, you can refer to my earlier post, Dark Knight of the Soul.) Despite The Dark Knight being a Batman film, a disconcerting number of viewers found themselves laughing at the Joker’s horrific acts.
This illustrates the magnetic and charismatic nature of his evil. A key element of his allure is a simple yet profound question: “Why…so…serious?”
It seems that few have genuinely attempted to answer this question. Considering the widespread enthusiasm for a Joker-centric film, this time unmitigated by Batman, Lego Batman, or the Suicide Squad, it’s crucial to consider this question before succumbing to the Joker’s captivating madness.
Possible Answers to the Joker’s Question: “Why So Serious?”
Why so serious?
One: Because You’re a Grown Man in Clown Makeup.
This isn’t a child’s birthday party or a circus performance. This isn’t your workplace or professional persona. You are deliberately wearing makeup as part of a constructed, masked identity. You are concealing your true self to cultivate a faceless legend, an entity from nowhere, a phantom of chaos dedicated to dismantling societal structures and moral principles.
You are both hiding your face and reinventing your identity to embody something utterly unlike a clown. Clowns are associated with joy, kindness, and entertainment. You are the antithesis of a clown. You are a twisted mockery of that archetype.
Why so serious?
Two: You’re Indiscriminately Killing People.
Yes, you possess a twisted creativity. You can make a pencil vanish. You fancy yourself a comedian.
However, you are also a cold-blooded murderer devoid of any moral compass. You have no reverence for any higher power, no sense of justice, and no compassion. Worse still, you are a terrorist, intentionally sowing fear and utter chaos wherever you go and in everyone you affect.
For you, killing is a game, but the reality is far from humorous.
Why so serious?
Three: Why Wouldn’t We Be Serious?
If we are to dismiss the seriousness of a clown detonating hospitals, what, pray tell, should warrant our seriousness? You may act as if your actions are a joke or mere amusement, but the consequences of everything you do are profoundly serious. By definition, every act you commit and its repercussions on real individuals (acknowledging this is fiction, but the point stands) is serious, inflicting irreversible damage on people’s lives.
If you desire a less serious reaction, then cease behaving in ways that demand a grave response.
Why so serious?
Because I’m not stupid.
Which Leads to Further Questions…
Because I anticipate some Joker devotees might become defensive.
“Relax, it’s just entertainment! It’s a movie! He’s a comic book figure. Nobody is actually dying!”
One could bring up Heath Ledger’s tragic passing, but that feels like a cheap shot. I understand it’s entertainment, but even so, why should we endorse something so fundamentally depraved?
I didn’t watch The Dark Knight to applaud the Joker. If I choose to watch The Joker, it won’t be to cheer him on. My intention would be to examine the underlying humanity of the character and view it as a cautionary narrative.
“But why can’t you sympathize with the Joker, understand his motivations, and appreciate his journey to becoming this iconic villain?”
I can, but only to a limited extent.
I can acknowledge a character’s humanity in relation to the broader human condition. I can feel empathy for tragic circumstances. However, this does not necessitate condoning the Joker or becoming an admirer.
I expect The Joker to offer an explanation for how he devolved into the warped individual we know from films, television, and comics.
However, explanation is not absolution. If I watch The Joker, I will be watching a movie about a villain. Yes, he likely needs extensive mental health support. Perhaps he is a victim of horrific circumstances. But none of that absolves him of his reprehensible actions, his unrestrained depravity, his palpable evil.
Why so serious?
Because evil is no laughing matter. And the only punchline I anticipate in The Joker is the satisfying impact of Batman’s fist meeting the Joker’s face.
