Joker-Breakdown of Joaquin Phoenix’s Portrayal of DC Comics Villain-Send in the Clowns
Do you have an irrational fear of clowns or to put it in complicated terms, coulrophobia? Have you ever stopped to consider why? Is it because of the way they dress? How did it start to develop in the first place? With the worldwide success of Joker, Joaquin Pheonix’s portrayal of DC Comics’ sinister villain, here is a look at clowns and the creepiness that emanates from them as well as the breakdown of this popular character.
Are you a friend or foe?
The thing that irks people the most about clowns is the element of incongruency they face. In simple terms, what you see isn’t necessarily what you get. Since there is a big disconnect with what they are saying or doing and actually feeling, people are left confused about how to act and react with them. The basic rules of body language do not apply and you are just left feeling plainly lost.
The makeup is crazy exaggerated
With their exaggerated features, pale faces, wide red smiles, and crazy, oversized clothes, googly eyes and scary makeup, you can see where people get the creeps from. Add to this the over the top demeanor and you got yourself the complete frightening dream. This naturally tends to put people in a defensive mood. You don’t want to be exposed and made fun of or be tickled or made to forcibly laugh at something you don’t find funny. Jokers don’t really give you that benefit and don’t make things flow naturally.
Top 7 Clown horror films
- It- 2017
- Amusement -2008
- Killer Klowns from Outer Space-1988
- Clownhouse -1989
- Blood Harvest -1987
- Poltergeist -1982
- Carnival of Souls-1962
These films can have a profound effect when you are young which can only add to the horror.
What is it about Joaquin Pheonix’s Joker that gives you the creeps?
Although this joker doesn’t entirely focus on being hyper-energetic and unpredictable, as is true in the case of Heath Ledger or bring out the craziness quite like the Oscar-winning Jack Nicholson, Joaquin Pheonix’s joker is more thoughtful. It brings out the psychoanalytical side of how he thinks and his vulnerabilities eventually transitioning into the deep dark abyss astoundingly.
The mental health analysis and thought processes portrayed on what his life is like from being a failed comedian to the eventually dreaded joker is a force to reckon with. In a scene, he talks about having only negative thoughts and his view of the glass being half empty. Yet he puts on a mask and it’s the opposite of what he is feeling giving you a glimpse of how you can never really tell what another person is thinking even if they have a smile on their face.
How far can you go to get noticed?
“People are starting to notice”, the joker says. This gives him that added push to get further noticed and want more attention. What can you do to get noticed? To gain people’s attention? It’s such a relatable concept especially in the age of social media. Come to think of it, it can be terrifying to know what your imagination is pushing you to think. In many ways, he reflects a part of us. We may not be scared of clowns in the literal sense of the term but it is a personification of the reflection of what society has become today.
It throws light on raising awareness
The character shows us how we all wear masks and how eventually, no matter what, it can fall through so you might as well be your authentic self from the very beginning, no matter what you feel.