Thank you! We talked about this on our podcast as well. This movie didn’t make it seem glamorous. To us, it brought up the issue of mental health, and showing compassion for others. The foundation of the Gospel is loving the unloveable and extending grace to those who cannot deserve it. Arthur existed in a system without grace or compassion and became the Joker because of it. It was kind of frustrating seeing people refuse to extend grace and love to those who need it the most.
I think the movies message was if we as a society don't help the most vulnerable, we as a society all suffer the consequences. The cuts to mental healthcare, the isolation it brings, poverty, bullying and then the backlash …. I looked up a few christian reviews and they really can't see past the "violence" They don't seem to know how to deal with it so they say its a bad movie. To me that's just lazy and easy. I did like your review and agree it's a very well crafted film.
Very difficult movie…esp for someone with the personal background and struggles that I have had in life.
On the positive side, it touched a raw nerve on the issues of mental illness, abuse of various sorts, and inward pain that we all would rather not face. Plus it shows the collapse of modern human society, with its lack of love/meaning/purpose.
But toward the end, it goes full 'pulp fiction', into total nihilism and meaningless depravity. Deadpan inhumanity. Devoid of all hope. And honestly I hate those kinds of movies.
I prayerfully struggled with how to take this movie. I am concluding that it is definitely a call for my own openness to prayer, ministry, and compassion for the abused and mentally ill, who are often hidden from our sight…or whom we turn away from and dont know what to do with. Regarding the nihilistic parts of the film, it shows what a fallen world without Christ really is. It shows that we as Christians truly have something to offer, even in this world that openly mocks Christianity. They are still desperate for hope, love, and purpose, which we can offer through our faith.
This movie is a lesson in social determinism and causality mixed with psychosis and desperation it has nothing to do with pity or anything in common with serial shooters
I personally don't agree with the 'We Live in a Society' quote. I think it should be changed to We Are All Part of Society. All of us are the big bads in someone else's lives, even if we are genuinely good. All of us end up hurting someone, big or small. To say We Live in a Society is very ignorant. Because good and evil is truly just opinion. To the devil God is evil, to us, we know the devil is definetely evil. So to correct that quote I changed it to we are all part of society instead.
I know this is kind of unrelated so I'll let myself out.
I saw the movie for the first time a week ago, and I found it very effective. A lot of the story was honestly very sad. For me, the saddest parts were Arthur's fantasy which showed what could have been, the scene when he finds out about his early past, and when he tells Gary that he was the only one who was nice to him. It's really tragic how Arthur really doesn't have good people in his life and is stuck in an uncaring society. I found a lot of relevancy with this story and how we all can learn from the terrible things done that create the Joker and be better to those around us. Honestly, I find it more effective with how Arthur doesn't witness any clear hope in front of him that would influence him to choose a better path, because all the bad that happens to him builds to where he finally snaps. For me, Joker is right up there with Sweeney Todd and Chronicle, films that show people can create monsters by being terrible to them. I imagine some are very disturbed by such stories, but I find them very impactful. It definitely shows that those who are Christians can and should be so much more than this with treating other people. What I really appreciate about films like Joker is the thought provoking discussions they can spark. This movie feels like a warning of what could take place if people are treated miserably and power is abused. Those warnings shouldn't be ignored, that's for sure.
I just saw this today. Personally as a Christian I'm a fan of psychological horror films as it wakes you up to reality about how sin can affect an individual or a whole city. This film nailed it for me.
The way the Waynes are portrayed gave me pause… one more reason/excuse T.Phillips gives about why he is the way he is…?
I found myself confused about what/if the “takeaway” was supposed to be.
Good stuff. Thanks for being good at stuff and sharing it with people.
Thank you! We talked about this on our podcast as well. This movie didn’t make it seem glamorous. To us, it brought up the issue of mental health, and showing compassion for others. The foundation of the Gospel is loving the unloveable and extending grace to those who cannot deserve it. Arthur existed in a system without grace or compassion and became the Joker because of it. It was kind of frustrating seeing people refuse to extend grace and love to those who need it the most.
Love the new project! You got a friend with us!
I think the movies message was if we as a society don't help the most vulnerable, we as a society all suffer the consequences. The cuts to mental healthcare, the isolation it brings, poverty, bullying and then the backlash …. I looked up a few christian reviews and they really can't see past the "violence" They don't seem to know how to deal with it so they say its a bad movie. To me that's just lazy and easy. I did like your review and agree it's a very well crafted film.
Very difficult movie…esp for someone with the personal background and struggles that I have had in life.
On the positive side, it touched a raw nerve on the issues of mental illness, abuse of various sorts, and inward pain that we all would rather not face. Plus it shows the collapse of modern human society, with its lack of love/meaning/purpose.
But toward the end, it goes full 'pulp fiction', into total nihilism and meaningless depravity. Deadpan inhumanity. Devoid of all hope. And honestly I hate those kinds of movies.
I prayerfully struggled with how to take this movie. I am concluding that it is definitely a call for my own openness to prayer, ministry, and compassion for the abused and mentally ill, who are often hidden from our sight…or whom we turn away from and dont know what to do with. Regarding the nihilistic parts of the film, it shows what a fallen world without Christ really is. It shows that we as Christians truly have something to offer, even in this world that openly mocks Christianity. They are still desperate for hope, love, and purpose, which we can offer through our faith.
God bless and thanks. Mike
I loved the movie was great…
This movie is a lesson in social determinism and causality mixed with psychosis and desperation it has nothing to do with pity or anything in common with serial shooters
This channel is a great idea!
Thanks man for breaking it down to this lost folks!
I personally don't agree with the 'We Live in a Society' quote. I think it should be changed to We Are All Part of Society. All of us are the big bads in someone else's lives, even if we are genuinely good. All of us end up hurting someone, big or small. To say We Live in a Society is very ignorant. Because good and evil is truly just opinion. To the devil God is evil, to us, we know the devil is definetely evil. So to correct that quote I changed it to we are all part of society instead.
I know this is kind of unrelated so I'll let myself out.
I saw the movie for the first time a week ago, and I found it very effective. A lot of the story was honestly very sad. For me, the saddest parts were Arthur's fantasy which showed what could have been, the scene when he finds out about his early past, and when he tells Gary that he was the only one who was nice to him. It's really tragic how Arthur really doesn't have good people in his life and is stuck in an uncaring society. I found a lot of relevancy with this story and how we all can learn from the terrible things done that create the Joker and be better to those around us. Honestly, I find it more effective with how Arthur doesn't witness any clear hope in front of him that would influence him to choose a better path, because all the bad that happens to him builds to where he finally snaps. For me, Joker is right up there with Sweeney Todd and Chronicle, films that show people can create monsters by being terrible to them. I imagine some are very disturbed by such stories, but I find them very impactful. It definitely shows that those who are Christians can and should be so much more than this with treating other people. What I really appreciate about films like Joker is the thought provoking discussions they can spark. This movie feels like a warning of what could take place if people are treated miserably and power is abused. Those warnings shouldn't be ignored, that's for sure.
I just saw this today. Personally as a Christian I'm a fan of psychological horror films as it wakes you up to reality about how sin can affect an individual or a whole city. This film nailed it for me.