Joker Theory: Joaquin Phoenix’s Character Isn't Batman's Archenemy (2024)

With as many portrayals of the Jokeras there have been, it shows just how strong of a character he is. Each iteration feels unique, and Joaquin Phoenix's version in Joker is no exception. However, despite the movie ending with him donning the name Joker, many fans theorize that he isn't the true Clown Prince of Crime who becomes Batman's archenemy, but just the first of his kind.

2019's Joker follows Arthur Fleck, a performer struggling with mental health issues in the corrupted Gotham City. Arthur is one of the more sympathetic versions of the character, as many people abuse and make fun of his mental issues, and the audience sees the injustice of the city through his eyes. After shooting three young men on a train, Arthur goes live on a talk show and makes the point that people only care because of the victims' wealth and status, and if he were shot dead, no one would bat an eye.

Joker Theory: Joaquin Phoenix’s Character Isn't Batman's Archenemy (1)

With the people of Gotham already being at the tipping point with the state of things, Arthur's broadcast sets in motion a revolution in the city. As he's being arrested, riots and crime run rampant, and people cheer for Arthur as his clown makeup becomes a symbol. Among all the chaos, a young Bruce Wayne leaves the theatre with his parents, Thomas and Martha. A nameless criminal finds them in an alley and kills them both, beginning Batman's classic origin story.

With Joker's revolution indirectly causingThomas and Martha's deaths, it brings Batman and Joker's rivalry closer than ever. However, there are some solid arguments to be made about whether Arthur's Joker really is the classic rival in years to come, as many things don't seem to line up. The most obvious and notable issue is the age gap, as Bruce Wayne looks to be aroundeight to ten years old when the Joker is formed. Arthur's adoption papers reveal that he's 34 at the time, making their age gap over 25 years, which is a pretty significant difference.

In most Batman adaptations, Bruce leaves Gotham city at 18 and returns as Batman around the age of 25. This would make Joker over 50 when Bruce returns, which isa little old for a chaos-causing crime boss. While this iteration of the Joker may be the type to sit back and plan, it still feels like he might not be the life-long archenemy he's known for becoming. This is why many fans subscribe to the idea that Arthur's Joker is a symbol, which eventually inspires a new Joker further down the line.

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It's not unheard of for multiple Jokers to exist. In the 2000 animated movie Batman Beyond: Return of Joker, Robin is kidnapped by Joker, tortured for years and brainwashed into becoming Joker Jr. Additionally, the more recent Batman: Three Jokers comic features the origin of three different Jokers at once, as multiple men fall into the Ace Chemicals vat of acid. And so, it's entirely possible that within Joker's universe, there's more than one Clown Prince.

With Joker taking the more realistic approach to the comics, a follower of Joker could likely be inspired by his symbol and want to carry on his message, especially as itends with Arthur in an asylum. This wouldleave room for a much younger and moretwisted Joker to arise, ready for when Batman makeshis grand entrance into Gotham.

But in the end, whatever becomes ofJoaquin Phoenix's Joker, it's unfortunately unknown whether a sequel will ever happen. Joker works well as a self-contained film, although there's clearly more story to be told. But if the cast and crew are to be believed, there's no sequel currently in production.