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Joker: is it possible to feel compassion for serial killers?

3.10.2019

Translation: machine translated

The Joker isn't in cinemas yet, but it's already caused quite a stir. Few films have generated so much controversy. The question is whether assassins and serial killers, although totally fictional, can be humanised.

DC's Joker played by Joaquin Phoenix has started the debate, at least in the US. However, the film has not yet been released in cinemas its launch being scheduled for 4 October 2019. And another week later here.

Joaquin Phoenix plays the Joker, Batman's sworn enemy.
Source: Warner Bros.

The controversy in question is not about the quality of the film. In fact, many who have already seen the film would have witnessed an Oscar-worthy performance in Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of the Joker. Instead, the question is whether you can sympathise with serial killers.

Concerned critics: murderers in the victim role

At the heart of the concern is the film's plot featuring Batman's namesake enemy, who is portrayed as an aspiring comedian who loses control of his life and becomes a deranged assassin. Critics fear that the Joker will arouse compassion and sympathy for the character, making him a role model, or even an inspiration, for other potential perpetrators of violence who would like to see themselves as victims of the system.

The recent spate of mass shooting killings that have claimed more than 40 lives in the United States does not fail to add fuel to the detractors' fire. Add to this the tragic incident in Aurora (Colorado), an armed attack indirectly linked to the Joker: the attacker threw a tear gas grenade during a night-time performance of the film The Dark Knight Rises and fired at the audience. Twelve people died, sixty were injured.

The New York police want to monitor the launch of the film and for cinemas to provide more staff. The Los Angeles police also intend to take stricter measures to monitor the situation. Cinema operators are also required not to allow fancy dress or masks, or at least to carry out strict checks.

Forever alone in the middle of the crowd, Arthur Fleck aka the Joker looks for something to hold onto.
Source: Warner Bros.

While the controversy is undeniably there, those in charge are trying to avoid controversy. A New York police officer, for example, told the trade magazine The Hollywood Reporter that there was no formal evidence of planned killings. The Los Angeles Police Department is of the same opinion. They are certainly taking the public's concerns very seriously, but have not yet uncovered any serious threats.

So would this be much ado about nothing?

Stakeholders: the studio must take responsibility

In an open letter to Warner Bros. the victims and families of the victims of the Aurora attack are concerned about the realistic violence of the Joker film. In the United States, the film is rated R, which is equivalent to the "under 18" category in France. They have also called on the studio to stop donating to politicians who receive funding from the National Rifle Association (NRA) in order to prevent reforms making access to guns tougher in the US.

Ann Sarnoff, CEO of Warner Bros. responded that the studio shares the grief of the families and has already been making generous donations to victims of violence for several years. In fact, the company reportedly donated $1 million to the Aurora victims.

Ms Sarnoff, on the other hand, made no comment about alleged donations to politicians opposed to gun reforms.

Joaquin Phoenix: controversy is good and healthy

Meanwhile, the stars of the film have also spoken out. Director Todd Phillips, for example, said he had no intention of glorifying violence or inspiring would-be murderers, either through the fictional character of the Joker or through his film. Actor Robert De Niro, meanwhile, told trade magazine Variety, at the premiere of The Irishman that he supported the Aurora families' demands.

Robert De Niro in the film Joker
Source: Warner Bros.

First cast Joaquin Phoenix has delivered a more detailed interview to Vanity Fair. He expected the controversy, but finds it healthy, as it stimulates debate. He also reportedly questioned his motives for making a film sympathetic to the villain. His answer comes from himself in an interview with IGN.

The Joker movie is about the lack of love, childhood trauma and the lack of compassion in our world. I think it's weird that people say, « Oh, I'd do with». But imagine what would happen if you didn't.

Joaquin Phoenix à IGN

So the real value of the film would be according to Phoenix, to make people realise that it's often too easy to denounce evil without trying to find its origin or understand it.

The controversy: do good and evil really exist?

The question of whether mass killers - whether fictional like the Joker or real like James Eagan Holmes, the Aurora killer - can be humanised is unpleasant and uncomfortable.

According to the actors and professionals involved in the film, Joker should help to better understand evil, recognise it and prevent it at an early stage before it's too late. Critics and concerned families, meanwhile, see a much greater danger that potential perpetrators of violence will be confirmed in their role as victims and use it as justification for further killings.

Murderous victims: pity or vehement condemnation?
Source: Warner Bros.

The truth surely lies in the in-between. No murderer should be able to be relieved of responsibility for his actions, however desperate the circumstances. The decision to pull the trigger is well and truly made by the murderer, alone. In all cases.

It is up to us, however, who form society and educate our children according to our moral principles, to ensure healthy coexistence. This can only work if we all find enough support together, even in our darkest hours, before it's too late.

What do you think?

The humanization of murderers

May we sympathize with mass murderers?

Yes - they too are people who have become who they are for a reason, even if it's a terrible one.
14%
No - the killers have given up their humanity and lost the right to be perceived as human beings.
6%
Neither. It's not about absolving them of guilt. It is about understanding how they have become and what we as a society can do to prevent similar things in the future.
80%

The competition has ended.

N.B.: are you familiar with the Netflix series Mindhunter? It tells the story of the first profilers in history to take an interest in the psyche of serial killers - against the pressure of society, which wants nothing to do with humanising killers.

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Luca Fontana

Senior Editor

Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.ch

I write about technology as if it were cinema, and about films as if they were real life. Between bits and blockbusters, I’m after stories that move people, not just generate clicks. And yes – sometimes I listen to film scores louder than I probably should.

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