OVERLAY REPORT

In the 2019 film *Joker*, the title is significant as both a **reclamation of an insult** used to belittle the protagonist and a **thematic declaration** of his internal psychological shift. ### 1. Significance in Relation to the Plot The title represents the final stage of Arthur Fleck’s descent into nihilism. Throughout the film, Arthur is a man who desperately wants to be a "successful" comedian—someone who makes people laugh and feels seen. However, he is treated as a "joke" by society in a humiliating, literal sense. * **From Tragedy to Comedy:** Arthur’s character arc is defined by his line: *"I used to think that my life was a tragedy, but now I realize, it’s a comedy."* The title "Joker" signifies his decision to stop fighting his misery and instead embrace the "absurdity" of his existence through violence. * **The "Joker" vs. "The Joker":** Director Todd Phillips intentionally titled the film *Joker* (omitting the "The") to emphasize that this is a character study of a man becoming a specific persona, rather than a definitive origin for the Batman villain. He described it as a "guise" to tell a grounded, 1970s-style character drama within the studio system. * **A Reclaimed Identity:** By adopting the name "Joker," Arthur takes a label intended to mock him and turns it into a symbol of power and fear. ### 2. Direct References by Characters Unlike many superhero films where a name is given by the media or a costume designer, the name "Joker" is explicitly born from a moment of public humiliation. * **Murray Franklin (The Mockery):** The term is first used by late-night host Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro). Murray plays a video of Arthur’s failed stand-up routine at Pogo’s Comedy Club. As the audience laughs at Arthur’s uncontrollable medical laughter and awkward delivery, Murray quips, **"Check out this joker,"** using the word as a dismissive slur for someone pathetic. * **Arthur Fleck (The Request):** In the film’s climax, Arthur is invited onto Murray’s show. Backstage, Murray asks Arthur why he is wearing the clown makeup. Arthur responds by asking for a specific introduction: > **Arthur:** "Murray, one small thing?" > **Murray:** "Yeah?" > **Arthur:** "When you bring me out, can you introduce me as **Joker**?" > **Murray:** "What's wrong with your real name?" > **Arthur:** "That’s what you called me on the show. Do you remember? You played the clip... you called me a joker." * **News Reports:** Following Arthur’s live televised murder of Murray Franklin, news anchors are heard reporting on the event, referring to the suspect as the man **"introduced by Franklin as 'Joker.'"** ### Specific Detail: The Meaning of the Name Arthur’s choice to be called "Joker" is his final act of agency. By forcing Murray to use the name on live television, Arthur ensures that the world sees him not as the victim "Arthur Fleck," but as the persona that Murray helped create through mockery. This transforms the title from a label of ridicule into a revolutionary brand for the rioting citizens of Gotham.