Wits And Giggles

With Joker bringing an iconic grin back to theaters, we consider why the diabolical hedonist continues to captivate us — even if we never figure him out

- Anthony Breznican

It’s the bared teeth. Slightly yellow but still gleaming between the candy-apple lips. Clenched and hungry. Ruthless. You wouldn’t call the Joker’s expression a smile — not unless you were kidding yourself.

There’s agony in the villain’s bloodthirsty grin. There’s rage behind the eyes, battling against the pain for dominance. Maybe there’s a smear of satisfaction — let’s face it, the man loves his work — but he isn’t necessarily happy. He’s ferocious.

In the nearly eight decades since he began menacing the good people of Gotham City, the Joker has taken on many identities, worn many faces and had many names. Just like the devil himself.

Still, for all his varying origin stories, he’s instantly recognizable, and not just for the green hair, pale skin, and purple suits. All Jokers share an unrepentant delight in chaos for its own sake; their antics aim to torment the helpless and innocent, and they’re always able to spring surprises on Batman, a hero who prides himself on preparing for the worst.

In its official character biography, DC Comics lists the Joker’s defining power as “complete unpredictability.” That aligns perfectly with his latest screen incarnation which released on October 4. Joaquin Phoenix stars in the savage, heartbreaking R-rated character drama titled simply Joker. The film spirals into the ruined psychology of a man named Arthur Fleck, a wannabe stand-up comic who makes ends meet as a clown for hire on Gotham’s mean streets. Crippling mental illness and a long history of abuse make it increasingly difficult for Fleck to deal with life’s mounting indignities and defeats. He’s a constant punch line, until the day he snaps and decides to hit back. But in true Joker fashion, each of the film’s seeming revelations only raises more uncertainty about its main character.