Joker (2019) Psychology Analysis

Summary

In this episode, 'Will Larious the Therapist' delves into the complex psychology of Arthur Fleck, the Joker, from the 2019 film. Analyzing his symptoms, the video suggests Arthur suffers from schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. It discusses the character's depressive and psychotic episodes, highlighting the film's use of lighting to signify his mental states. The video also explores how the Joker reflects societal fears and the absence of a traditional hero archetype in this narrative, offering a deep dive into the cultural significance of the character.

Takeaways

• 🃏 The character Arthur Fleck from the movie 'Joker' is portrayed with a complex mix of psychological issues, including symptoms of depression, schizophrenia, and mania.
• 🔍 The video suggests that Arthur's condition could be classified as schizoaffective disorder, which combines symptoms of schizophrenia and a mood disorder.
• 💊 The script discusses the use of Venlafaxine, an antidepressant used for treatment-resistant depression, hinting at the severity of Arthur's condition.
• 🎨 The film's lighting is used symbolically to reflect Arthur's psychological state, with blue tones indicating depression and yellow suggesting hallucinations or fantasy.
• 🗓️ Arthur's symptoms and their progression throughout the movie are analyzed to determine the timeline and nature of his mental health condition.
• 🎭 The role of the Joker is described as a 'psychological barometer' reflecting societal fears and attitudes, with the 2019 version being particularly disturbing.
• 🗝️ The character's violent actions are not symptoms of his mental health but a response to a society that is 'sick' and based on power and exploitation.
• 👥 Arthur's hallucinations and delusions are detailed, including his relationship with his neighbor and his belief in signs from the universe.
• 🔮 The video posits that the Joker embodies the 'shadow archetype,' representing societal fears and anxieties that change over time.
• 🎬 The 'Joker' film is presented as a commentary on the absence of a traditional hero archetype, suggesting a world without clear moral guidance.
• 📑 The script calls for viewers to subscribe and engage with the content, indicating the video's intent to provoke thought and discussion on the topic of mental health in pop culture.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video script discussing Arthur Fleck's character?

The main theme of the video script is the psychological analysis of Arthur Fleck's character from the 2019 film 'Joker', exploring his mental health issues and the societal implications of his actions.

What is the Rubik's Cube analogy referring to in the context of Arthur Fleck's life?

The Rubik's Cube analogy refers to the complexity of Arthur Fleck's life, which is a mix of psychological problems, social problems, and bad luck, all of which need to be solved or understood.

What is the role of 'Will Larious the Therapist' in the video script?

Will Larious the Therapist is the founder and CEO of the fictional 'Character Mental Health Co-op', which is a platform that diagnoses and treats fictional characters from various media. In this script, he is analyzing Arthur Fleck's psychological state.

What does the script suggest about Arthur Fleck's initial mental state?

The script suggests that Arthur Fleck initially shows signs of major depressive disorder, with symptoms such as low self-esteem, lack of energy, and depressed mood.

How does the video script link Arthur Fleck's hallucinations to his mental health?

The script links Arthur Fleck's hallucinations to his mental health by suggesting that they represent his deepest fantasies and delusions, which are indicative of a schizophrenic spectrum disorder.

What medication is hinted at in the script as part of Arthur Fleck's treatment?

The script hints at the use of 'Vennela zine', which is suggested to be an antidepressant used for treatment-resistant depression, not a typical SSRI.

What is the significance of the lighting used in the film to represent Arthur Fleck's psychological state?

The lighting in the film is used to symbolize Arthur's psychological state, with blue tones representing his depression, and a yellow tint indicating his hallucinations or breaks from reality.

How does the script differentiate between Arthur Fleck's periods of depression and his periods of elevated mood?

The script differentiates between Arthur's periods of depression and elevated mood by describing his symptoms and behaviors, such as lack of motivation and self-preservation during depression, and goal-oriented and impulsive behaviors during hypomania.

What is the term used in the script to describe Arthur Fleck's mental health condition?

The term used in the script to describe Arthur Fleck's mental health condition is 'schizoaffective disorder', which is a combination of symptoms from mood disorders and schizophrenia.

How does the video script interpret the role of the Joker character in relation to societal fears?

The script interprets the Joker character as an embodiment of societal fears and cultural anxieties, changing with the times to reflect the prevailing concerns of the era.

What is the significance of the 'shadow archetype' mentioned in the script?

The 'shadow archetype' mentioned in the script refers to the darker, often suppressed aspects of the human psyche that the Joker character represents, reflecting societal fears and anxieties.

How does the script suggest that Arthur Fleck's actions are a response to his environment?

The script suggests that Arthur Fleck's actions are a response to the power structures and exploitation he experiences in Gotham, leading him to adopt the brutal rule of force that dominates the city.

What is the contrast between the Joker character in this film and previous versions?

The contrast lies in the fact that in this film, the Joker is not a threat from somewhere else but is one of us, embodying the societal fears and anxieties that we are afraid of, unlike previous versions where he was more of an external threat.

What message does the script convey about the absence of a hero archetype in the film?

The script conveys that in this film, there is no hero archetype to counterbalance the Joker's shadow archetype, suggesting a world where traditional notions of good and evil are subverted.