The video discusses the ending of the movie Joker (2019) and its possible interpretations. The host, Erik, suggests that there are two ways to interpret the final act of the movie: literally and symbolically. The literal interpretation is that Arthur Fleck, the Joker, is a violent anti-hero who commits murders and incites a riot, while the symbolic interpretation is that the events of the movie are a product of Arthur's imagination.
Erik points out that Arthur is an unreliable narrator, and that his perceptions of reality are influenced by his mental illness and trauma. He cites examples from the movie, such as Arthur's fantasy about being on a talk show with Murray Franklin, and his relationship with Sophie, which may not be real.
The host also suggests that the final scene of the movie, in which Arthur is in a mental institution, may be a hint that the entire story is a product of his imagination. He notes that the psychologist in the final scene may be a representation of Deborah Kane, a psychologist who treated Arthur earlier in the movie, and that the final psychologist's death may be a manifestation of Arthur's anger and frustration.
Ultimately, the host leaves the interpretation of the movie's ending up to the viewer, suggesting that it can be read as a nihilistic revenge tale or as a fleeting fantasy that cracks a smile from a broken man.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The movie Joker ended with Arthur Fleck, the main character, shooting Murray Franklin on live TV.
2. Arthur Fleck was a struggling comedian who suffered from mental illness and was abused as a child.
3. Arthur's mother, Penny Fleck, was mentally ill and was institutionalized.
4. Arthur was adopted by Penny Fleck, but she lied to him about his father being Thomas Wayne.
5. Arthur killed his mother, Penny Fleck.
6. Arthur was invited on a late-night show, where he murdered the host, Murray Franklin.
7. Arthur's actions inspired a riot that killed Thomas and Martha Wayne.
8. The movie ends with Arthur in a mental institution, where he kills a psychologist.
9. The movie's ending is open to interpretation, with some scenes possibly being a product of Arthur's imagination.
10. The movie's writer suggests that Arthur's unreliability as a narrator means that the events of the movie may not be entirely real.
11. The movie includes a character named Sophie, played by Zazie Beetz, who is a love interest of Arthur's.
12. Sophie's character is later revealed to be a product of Arthur's imagination.
13. The movie includes a scene where Arthur is in a flashback, pounding his head against a wall in a facility.
14. The facility in the flashback is similar to the one Arthur is in at the end of the movie.
15. The movie's writer suggests that the final psychologist Arthur kills may have inspired the character of Deborah Kane in his fantasy.
16. Deborah Kane has to stop treating Arthur because the state cut her program.
17. The Joker's origin has always meant to be left a mystery, and the movie's ending is consistent with this interpretation.
18. The movie's writer suggests that the sympathetic narrative of the movie is just one of many options in Arthur's life, and that the reality of the events may be different.