The Joker movie quotes have continued to show why Todd Phillips' take on the iconic character became one of the most talked about movies of the 2010s. The movie was praised by some for Joaquin Phoenix's Oscar-winning performance and the gritty take on the comic book genre, while also stirring up plenty of controversies as well. The movie is a dark examination of a man suffering and a city that is ignoring him. The way Arthur Fleck views the world is disturbing, but also provides a fascinating insight into the man. Years since its release, many of the Joker movie quotes remain unforgettable for audiences.
Anticipation for Joker: Folie à Deux continues to build with the release of the first image as well as set videos showing multiple Jokers in play. It remains to be seen if the sequel can deliver as powerful of a punch to audiences with the return of this complex character. Not only is Joker the main villain of Batman, but he is also one of the most popular villains in pop culture history. Joker gave an interesting exploration of this character and some of the lines from the movie still fascinate fans.
"I've Got Nothing Left To Lose. Nothing Can Hurt Me Anymore. My Life Is Nothing But A Comedy."
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix)
Though it is hard to imagine Arthur Fleck ever turning into the Joker fans know from Batman lore, it is fascinating how the movie suggests possible origins for the character. Instead of being a manic criminal, this version is far more tragic. The explanation of how his mind could be warped to see the world in such a twisted comedic way comes through in this quote. After losing everything, comedy is the thing that Arthur leans on and his sense of humor has grown very disturbing.
"Everybody Is Awful These Days. It's Enough To Make Everyone Crazy."
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix)
Arthur's murder of three men on the subway becomes a spark that ignites all the anger boiling in Gotham City. Despite the change his actions inspired, it is clear that Arthur was never meant to be the leader of some revolt. His confession on the talk show about killing those men has him admitting he didn't have some larger purpose in mind other than that he didn't like them. However, his words in this Joker movie quote make it seem as though anyone could have done the same thing.
"Well, No One's Laughing Now."
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix)
It is clear that Arthur has a detachment from reality in the story and that can be seen in his pursuit of a career in stand-up comedy in Joker. He sees it as something he was always meant to do and it doesn't even occur to him that it might not be the right path. It is even sadder that Arthur doesn't seem to understand when people are laughing at him rather than with him, but "no one's laughing now" provides a chilling foreshadowing of what Arthur's brand of comedy would ultimately become.
"They Don't Give A S*** About People Like You, Arthur. And They Really Don't Give A S*** About People Like Me Either."
Social Worker (Sharon Washington)
Watching Arthur struggle with his various issues throughout the movie, it is hard not to sympathize with him and wish that he could get help. Though he is certainly one of Phoenix's darker characters, the actor makes the audience feel for him. However, the theme of injustice does not just relate to Arthur but most of Gotham. Arthur's own social worker points out in this Joker movie quote that those in power don't even care that they exist which eventually results in the chaotic climax.
"You Decide What's Right Or Wrong The Same Way You Decide What's Funny Or Not."
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix)
Joker's shocking talk show sequence is terrifying, but it is also a twisted moment of triumph for Arthur. After accepting his deadly new path, Arthur introduces himself to the world. Though he was brought on the show to be the butt of the joke, Arthur takes the opportunity to finally let his voice be heard and point out the hypocrisy he sees in society. It also hints that his more twisted sense of humor that others might find disturbing would come to define who he is.
"Forgive My Laughter. I Have A Condition."
Arthur's Card
One of the most important character elements of the Joker is his laugh. The movie takes a very interesting approach to this aspect with Arthur's laugh being a condition he suffers from which he has no control over. The laughing condition in Joker is a real one that people do suffer from, and it also serves as a fascinating way of re-examining the iconic character. Arthur seems pained when he laughs, and it further alienates him from people. The card he carries around with him that explains his condition is a sad look at a tortured man.
"Is It Just Me Or Is It Getting Crazier Out There?"
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix)
In Batman lore, Gotham is usually depicted as a broken city before Batman arrives to save the day. However, the Gotham seen in Joker is even bleaker. The '80s setting provides a grittiness to the place, and it always feels like it is a city about to go up in flames. The conditions of Gotham likely play a huge role in Arthur's descent. As the film begins, Arthur talks to his social worker and he struggles with how terrible things have gotten. It is a haunting hint at how bad things will be by the end of Joker.
"You Don't Listen, Do You?"
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix)
The idea of being ignored and overlooked is a big theme in Joker. Arthur is a man who is struggling in life and needs help, but the world around him is uncaring. When he visits with his social worker, he communicates the frustration of that feeling. As she tells him that their program is being cut, Arthur laments that even in this space where he is supposed to get help, he is ignored. He wants people to listen to him and take notice. As the story goes on, he's willing to go to extremes to get noticed.
"What Kind Of Coward Would Do Something So Cold-Blooded? Someone Who Hides Behind A Mask."
Thomas Wayne (Brett Cullen)
There is a very different version of Thomas Wayne in Joker than fans have ever seen before. Instead of the dedicated businessman who wants to use his resources to help the people of Gotham, he is a self-involved man of privilege who refuses to consider the needs of the less fortunate. After Arthur kills some abusive men on the subway, reports come out about a vigilante in a clown mask. This Joker movie quote shows Wayne's opinion about cowards that hide behind masks. This is a not-so-subtle nod to his son's future, and it connects Joker and Batman in an interesting way.
"For My Whole Life, I Didn't Know If I Even Really Existed. But I Do And People Are Starting To Notice."
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix)
After the subway murders, something awakens in Arthur and he seems to have discovered some twisted purpose. More disturbingly, he seems to inspire other desperate people in Joker's very different version of Gotham City through his murderous actions. Arthur finally sees himself getting attention and that feeds into his sense of meaning. He has accidentally become a symbol of Gotham's revolution and is willing to continue down this dark path so he is no longer ignored.
"I Hope My Death Makes More Cents Than My Life."
Arthur's Joke Journal
Arthur's dream of becoming a stand-up comedian is a tragic one, as his failure at accomplishing that purpose leads him to his much darker one. However, it also gives an interesting insight into his disturbed mind. Arthur doesn't seem to understand humor in the same way others do, as evidenced by his "joke journal." Among these strange scribblings and ideas, there is one phrase he keeps returning to, "I hope my death makes more cents than my life." It is a hint at Arthur's dissatisfaction with his current life but also convinces him he's meant for something greater.
"I Haven't Been Happy One Minute Of My Entire F***ing Life."
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix)
Despite Arthur's murderous nature in Joker, he can be quite personable at times. He tries to make people laugh, he laughs at other people's jokes and he attempts to be pleasant with everyone he meets. However, he later admits to his mother in a heartbreaking Joker movie quote that he's never been happy. It's a disturbing insight into the character who tries to bring joy to people while feeling so bad himself. The movie takes an interesting view of people who are struggling but still told by society that they should smile.
"I Used To Think That My Life Was A Tragedy. But Now I Realize, It's A F***ing Comedy."
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix)
The tragedy of Arthur's character is that he truly does want to bring joy and laughter to the world — it's just that the world doesn't want it from him. He tries to maintain this joyful outlook even with his life as difficult as it is. But when things continue to pile upon him, it gets too much to bear. When Arthur visits his mother in the hospital after finding out about how he was abused as a child, he adopts a new outlook. It is as if things have gotten so bad for him that there is nothing left to do but laugh.
"Your Name's Arthur, Right?"
Sophie Drummond (Zazie Beetz)
Though nothing else seems to be going right in his life, Arthur does meet someone. His friendly neighbor, Sophie takes a liking to Arthur and begins dating him even as he spirals deeper into violence. But it was obviously always going to end badly. When Arthur lets himself into Sophie's apartment, she is startled to find him in her living room. She tells him he's in the wrong apartment before asking "Your name's Arthur, right?" Just like that, the audience realizes the seemingly happy relationship between Arthur and Sophie in Joker was all in his head.
"I Know. Isn't It Beautiful?"
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix)
While Joker in the comics is an anarchist character who masterminds all kinds of devious plots, Arthur is a much different kind of villain. He is lost and alone, but he manages to accidentally inspire people through his own violent actions. It is a disturbing reversal of Batman's own mission to become a symbol for the people of Gotham. Arthur became that symbol and led them on a path of violence and destruction. After being arrested, Arthur sees the chaos he's inspired and says "Isn't it beautiful?" The villain truly won.
"The Worst Part Of Having A Mental Illness Is People Expect You To Behave As If You Don't."
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix)
Though many people probably went into this movie thinking they would see a violent and dark take on the comic book film, Joker is more of an exploration of mental health and how society reacts to those who have such conditions. Arthur suffers from severe mental illness, but there see little sympathy for his condition. This relates to his feeling about being ignored. One profound and heartbreaking entry in his journal reads, "The worst part of having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you don't."
"'Are You Having Any Negative Thoughts?' All I Have Are Negative Thoughts."
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix)
The movie raises the disturbing idea that a villain like Joker might have never been created if people had just listened. Arthur knows he is sick and wants help, but the world's disinterest in him and his struggle causes his downward spiral. As Arthur meets with his social worker, he criticizes her for asking the same questions and not actually caring about the answers. His cry for help once again falls on deaf ears. It is a heartbreaking and frightening line delivered perfectly by Phoenix.
"You Wouldn't Get It."
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix)
As Joker follows Arthur's dark origins, the movie continues to play around with the idea of reality. Things that happen are later revealed to be inside Arthur's mind. This leads to the ending, which hints at the possibility that the entire thing could have been a "joke" in Arthur's head. After Arthur is celebrated in the streets during the riots, the film quickly cuts to him in custody in Arkham Asylum. As he laughs, the doctor asks if he would like to share the joke. He simply responds, "You wouldn't get it," which leaves an uneasy question of what is going on in his head.
"Can You Introduce Me As Joker?"
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix)
As Arthur is getting ready for his big debut on Murray Franklin's show, he asks to be introduced as Joker, finally adopting the title. The moment could have been really clumsy, however, the movie takes it as a moment to further reinvent the character. Instead of the name Joker referencing the character's trickster nature, it is recontextualized as someone who is looked down upon and dismissed adopting the insult bestowed upon him. And given what comes next, it is a hint at Arthur's dark revenge against Murray for the way he ridiculed Arthur.
"You Get What You F***ing Deserve!"
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix)
When Arthur is invited onto the late-night show hosted by Murray Franklin, there is the dreadful sense something bad is going to happen. Indeed, Arthur takes this moment to debut his Joker persona and hold society accountable. After admitting to killing the men on the subway, Arthur criticizes Murray and others for how they treat people like him. He then ends with a final joke, "What do you get when you cross a mentally ill loner with a society that abandons him and treats him like trash? You get what you f**kin' deserve!" He then murders Murray on live television in the movie's most shocking moment.