JOKER: CLOWN OF CHAOS – ANTICIPATING THE MADNESS IN JOKER PART 1 & PART 2: FOLIE À DEUX

In a cinematic landscape dominated by superhero franchises and blockbuster spectacles, Joker stands out as a bold, unsettling character study that transcends the comic book genre. Directed by Todd Phillips and anchored by a mesmerizing performance from Joaquin Phoenix, this film delves into the dark origins of Gotham's most infamous villain, offering a harrowing exploration of madness and societal decay.

THE LEGEND OF THE JOKER REIMAGINED

Joker, DC's most iconic villain, finally receives his own standalone film, a departure from the interconnected narratives of the DC Extended Universe. Joaquin Phoenix delivers an unforgettable portrayal of Arthur Fleck, a man teetering on the edge of sanity, transforming into the embodiment of chaos. This film is a must-see, a cinematic gem that demands attention and contemplation.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON AN ICONIC CHARACTER

Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight (2008) set a high bar, presenting a chaotic force of nature with no clear backstory. Phoenix's Arthur Fleck, however, provides a haunting answer to the question: How does one become the Joker? This film offers a deeply personal and psychological journey into the making of a madman.

JOKER IN A SCORSESE-INSPIRED WORLD

Joker exists outside the DC Extended Universe, allowing it to stand alone as a unique narrative. While the character remains true to his comic book roots, Phillips and co-writer Scott Silver pay homage to the films of Martin Scorsese, particularly Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. This homage sets the stage for a gritty, 1980s Gotham City, a place rife with crime and corruption, mirroring the urban decay and societal unrest of Scorsese's New York.

THE 1980s GOTHAM: A BACKDROP OF TURMOIL

Set in the early 1980s, Joker captures the essence of the era, blending the nightmare of Taxi Driver with the dark humor of The King of Comedy. From the opening scenes, the film immerses viewers in Arthur Fleck's deteriorating world, following his delusional dreams of comedic success while he struggles as a failing stand-up comedian.

THE MAN BEHIND THE MADNESS

Arthur Fleck, a man who has spent time in a mental institution, dreams of being a successful comedian but is constantly beaten down by society. His relationship with his mother, Penny, is a cornerstone of his tragic past. The film reveals Arthur's traumatic upbringing, marked by abuse and neglect, leading to his eventual transformation into the Joker.

A DESPERATE SEARCH FOR VALIDATION

Arthur's longing for a father figure drives him to idolize a TV host (played by Robert De Niro) and fantasize about connecting with a wealthy, influential man. His desperation culminates in a violent encounter on the subway, where he kills three Wall Street bankers in self-defense. This act of violence inadvertently sparks a citywide uprising against the elite, further isolating Arthur and accelerating his descent into madness.

A CITY IN CHAOS

Gotham City, portrayed as a place of hopelessness and decay, mirrors Arthur's own descent. The film's setting emphasizes the stark contrast between the wealthy elite and the struggling masses, painting a bleak picture of urban life. Arthur's laughter, misunderstood and mocked by society, becomes a symbol of his alienation.

THE ROOTS OF THE JOKER'S SMILE

Arthur's forced laughter, a result of his abusive upbringing, is both a coping mechanism and a symbol of his pain. His inability to express genuine emotion reflects his deep psychological scars. The Joker's smile, a twisted manifestation of his suffering, becomes a chilling emblem of chaos and destruction.

THE TRANSFORMATION INTO THE JOKER

As Arthur's life unravels, he embraces his alter ego, the Joker. His transformation is marked by a series of violent and cathartic events, culminating in a climactic appearance on the TV show hosted by Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro). This confrontation serves as a grim commentary on society's fascination with sensationalism and tragedy.

A BRILLIANT SOUNDTRACK

The film's soundtrack, curated with precision, enhances the emotional depth of the narrative. Iconic tracks like Frank Sinatra's "Send In The Clowns" and Cream's "White Room" complement the film's dark themes. Hildur Guðnadóttir's haunting score underscores Arthur's internal struggle, making it a vital component of the film's atmosphere.

PHOENIX'S TOUR DE FORCE PERFORMANCE

Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Arthur Fleck is nothing short of extraordinary. His physical transformation and emotional depth bring the character to life in a way that is both disturbing and empathetic. Phoenix captures the essence of a man unraveling, creating a Joker that is both terrifying and tragically human.

THE SUPPORTING CAST: A PERFECT ENSEMBLE

Robert De Niro's role as Murray Franklin is a nod to his past work in The King of Comedy, adding a layer of meta-commentary to the film. Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, and Brett Cullen deliver strong performances, each contributing to the film's complex narrative.

LOOKING AHEAD: JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX

The success of Joker has paved the way for an eagerly anticipated sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux. Directed by Todd Phillips and featuring a stellar cast, this film promises to delve even deeper into the dark psyche of Arthur Fleck. Here's what we can expect based on the details revealed so far:

THE PLOT: A TWISTED LOVE STORY

Joker: Folie à Deux explores the tumultuous relationship between Arthur Fleck and Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga. The plot revolves around Arthur meeting Harley while incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital. Their connection, born out of shared madness, leads them on a doomed romantic misadventure upon Arthur's release. This narrative promises to be a dark, twisted exploration of love and madness.

THE CAST: STELLAR PERFORMANCES AHEAD

The cast of Joker: Folie à Deux is as impressive as the original, featuring:

• Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck/Joker

• Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn

• Zazie Beetz reprising her role as Sophie Dumond

• Catherine Keener

• Brendan Gleeson

• Steve Coogan

• Ken Leung

• Bill Smitrovich as Judge Herman Rothwax

• Gattlin Griffith

• Jacob Lofland

• John Lacy as an Arkham Guard

• Harry Lawtey

• George Carroll

• Sharon Washington

• Tim Dillon

• Leigh Gill as Gary

• Troy Metcalf

• Mike Houston as a Guard

This ensemble promises to deliver powerful performances, contributing to the film's intense and unsettling atmosphere.

THE DIRECTION: TODD PHILLIPS RETURNS

Todd Phillips returns as the director, ensuring continuity in style and tone. His vision for Joker was instrumental in its success, and his return bodes well for the sequel. Phillips' ability to blend dark humor with psychological depth will be crucial in bringing this next chapter to life.

THE WRITERS: A COMPELLING NARRATIVE

Phillips is joined once again by Scott Silver in writing the screenplay, alongside Bob Kane. Their collaboration on the original film produced a gripping and thought-provoking narrative. For the sequel, they will need to balance the complexities of Arthur and Harley's relationship while expanding the world of Gotham.

A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE: TRAILER AND PREDICTIONS

The trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux hints at a continuation of the dark, gritty aesthetic of the original. We see Arthur and Harley's relationship unfold amidst chaos and violence. The film seems poised to explore themes of love, insanity, and societal breakdown, much like its predecessor.

Predictions for the sequel include:

1. Exploring Harley's Backstory: The film will likely delve into Harley Quinn's past, showing how her relationship with Arthur transforms her from a psychiatrist to a fellow inmate and lover.

2. Gotham's Descent: The city of Gotham will continue to spiral into chaos, reflecting the turmoil within Arthur and Harley's minds.

3. Psychological Depth: Expect intense, character-driven scenes that explore the complexities of Arthur and Harley's relationship and their individual descents into madness.

4. Musical Elements: Given Lady Gaga's involvement, the film might incorporate musical elements, adding a unique twist to the narrative.

LADY GAGA: A NEW HARLEY QUINN

Lady Gaga's casting as Harley Quinn is a bold and intriguing choice. Known for her dynamic performances and powerful screen presence, she is expected to bring a fresh, compelling take on the character. Gaga's Harley is likely to be both a tragic and formidable figure, perfectly complementing Phoenix's Joker.

CONCLUSION

Joker: Folie à Deux promises to be a worthy successor to Joker, delving deeper into the twisted psyche of Arthur Fleck and introducing a new layer of complexity with Harley Quinn. With a stellar cast, visionary direction, and a compelling narrative, this sequel is poised to captivate audiences and continue the dark, introspective journey into Gotham's most infamous villain. As we anticipate its release, one thing is certain: Joker: Folie à Deux will be a cinematic experience that challenges, disturbs, and mesmerizes.

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"The X-Files: An Unending Enigma

Delve into the labyrinthine world of The X-Files, an engrossing television series that has become an enduring icon in popular culture. This narrative, threaded with potential spoilers, explores the series' compelling tapestry of government conspiracies and paranormal phenomena.

Launched in 1993, The X-Files centers on the unique partnership between FBI agents Fox Mulder, portrayed by David Duchovny, and Dana Scully, played by Gillian Anderson. The duo embarks on a quest to unravel both the paranormal and the machinations of government conspiracies. Each episode, often self-contained adventures fondly termed as "Monster of the Week", gradually feeds into an overarching "Main Mythology".

The X-Files spanned an impressive eleven seasons, and also gave rise to two feature films. The first, "The X-Files: Fight the Future" (1998), ingeniously incorporated into the show's central narrative. In contrast, "The X-Files: I Want to Believe" (2008) introduced a fresh storyline to keep fans captivated. The series returned in 2016 and 2018, exploring both new mysteries and its original mythology, ending on a note of suspense.

David Duchovny's immersive portrayal of Fox Mulder has become synonymous with The X-Files. His performance in "The X-Files: Unrestricted Access" (1997), an episode he personally directed, is often considered a series highlight. Despite speculation about potential revivals, no official announcements have been made. However, Duchovny's involvement, should a revival occur, is eagerly anticipated.

The compelling dynamic between Mulder and Scully was a cornerstone of The X-Files' appeal. Mulder's staunch faith in the extraordinary perfectly contrasted Scully's scientific skepticism. When the original series ended in 2002, fans felt a void only partially filled by the 2016 revival. The future of The X-Files became uncertain again with the conclusion of the final season in 2018.

Gillian Anderson's decision to depart the series, and series creator Chris Carter's commitments elsewhere, has cast doubt on The X-Files' future. However, the importance of secondary characters should not be underestimated. Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi), a strong ally to Mulder and Scully, and antagonists like the Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis), were pivotal to the narrative. The series took its fans on a rollercoaster ride, marked by the loss of cherished characters and the evolving relationship between Mulder and Scully. Speculating on potential characters in a hypothetical new season is conjectural at best. Anticipation can only be satiated by official announcements from the producers. Imagine a possible scenario inspired by John Carpenter's "The Fog". A grizzled and world-weary Mulder, living in seclusion in a small town, stands atop a lighthouse, a beer in hand. The locals whisper about this elusive stranger, their curiosity piqued. Mulder keeps his purpose secret, even as he investigates the town's dark, supernatural secrets.

This hypothetical scenario teases a captivating new chapter for The X-Files, reminiscent of Carpenter's atmospheric storytelling. It serves as a reminder of the series' enduring appeal and leaves fans hoping for a revival that will grip their imaginations just as tightly as the original series did.

The Spear of Thought: Experiencing the Cursed Rituals

The Spear of Thought: Experiencing the Cursed Rituals (Art from www.thecollector.com)

In many primitive societies there is the belief that, by some means of accepted ritual, a hex or curse can be leveled against an individual. And unless the curse is ritually canceled, the dire predictions of pain, injury, or death will be fulfilled.

I - Retroactive Magic

While he was in the Congo in 1682, the Italian missionary Father Jerome Merolla da Sorrento heard a curious story demonstrating the sometimes fatal effects of superstitious fear. During a journey, a young black man had spent the night at a friend’s house, and in the morning the friend had prepared a wild hen for breakfast. This was a food that young people were forbidden to eat, by inviolable tribal custom, and the visitor asked his friend if the dish he had prepared was really wild hen. The host replied that it was not, and the young guest ate a hearty breakfast.

Apparition of the Spirit of Samuel to Saul

A few years later, the two men met again, and the friend asked his former guest if he would eat a wild hen. No, he said, that was impossible—he had been solemnly warned by a magician never to eat that food. The friend laughed and asked why he should refuse to eat the dish now, when he had been perfectly happy to eat it before. As soon as the guest learned the truth about the breakfast his host had once served him, he began to tremble violently and within 24 hours was dead, the victim of his own fear.

Source: American Anthropologist, New Series 44: 169-70, April - June 1942

II - A Dramatic Reversal

The active ill effects of a curse can immediately cease if the victim believes that he has been released from it. This indicates that the effects of curses, as recorded since ancient times, are psychosomatic and thus in accord with relatively recent physiological discoveries. The following incident, which occurred in Australia around 1919, was later reported by Dr. S. M. Lambert during his association with the International Health Division of the Rockefeller Foundation. An example of a dramatic reversal, it makes the point:

Mysteries art by Kevin Gray

At a Mission at Mona Mona in North Queensland were many native converts, but on the outskirts of the Mission was a group of non-converts including one Nebo, a famous witch doctor. The chief helper of the missionary was Rob, a native who had been converted. When Dr. Lambert arrived at the Mission, he learned that Rob was in distress and that the missionary wanted him examined. Dr. Lambert made the examination, and found no fever, no complaint of pain, no symptoms or signs of disease. He was impressed, however, by the obvious indications that Rob was seriously ill and extremely weak. From the missionary he learned that Rob had had a bone pointed at him by Nebo and was convinced that in consequence he must die. Thereupon Dr. Lambert and the missionary went for Nebo, threatened him sharply that his supply of food would be shut off if anything happened to Rob and that he and his people would be driven away from the Mission. At once, Nebo agreed to go with them to see Rob. He leaned over Rob's bed and told the sick man that it was all a mistake, a mere joke—indeed, that he had not pointed a bone at him at all. The relief, Dr. Lambert testifies, was almost instantaneous; that evening Rob was back at work, quite happy again, and in full possession of his physical strength.

Source: American Anthropologist, New Series 44: 170 - 71, April - June 1942

III - Prophecy Self-fulfilled

On a Friday the 13th in 1946, a Georgia midwife was called upon to deliver three babies in the same area of the Okefenokee Swamp. For some malevolent reason, the woman put a curse on all three of the infant girls. She said that one would die before she was 16 years of age, another would be dead before she reached 21, and the third would not live to see her 23rd birthday. The first two predictions were violently accurate. One girl, at 15, was in a fatal automobile accident. The second was killed by gunfire in a nightclub brawl the night before her 21st birthday.

Two years later, in 1969, the third young woman asked to enter a Baltimore hospital, declaring hysterically that she was doomed to die before her 23rd birthday, which was only three days away. Although there was apparently nothing wrong with her physically, she was obviously under great emotional stress and was admitted to the hospital for observation.

The next morning, just two days before the fateful date, the girl was found dead in her bed—the victim, evidently, of her belief in the power of the midwife’s curse.

Source: Science Digest, 80: 45, August 1976

IV - The Relentless Kurdaitcha

In 1953 an aborigine named Kinjika was flown from his native Arnhem Land in Australia’s Northern Territory to a hospital in Darwin, the territorial capital. He had not been injured or poisoned, was not suffering from any known disease, but he was dying. Kinjika survived for four days in great pain after entering the hospital, and on the fifth day he died, the victim of bone pointing, a method of execution—or murder—that leaves no trace and almost never fails. The dead man had been a member of the Mailli tribe and had broken one of its laws governing incestuous relationships. Following this he had been summoned before a tribal council, had refused to attend, and in his absence had been sentenced to death.

Kinjika then fled his homeland, and the tribal executioner, the mulunguwa, made and ritually “loaded” the killing-bone, or kundela.

The bone used may be human, kangaroo, or emu, or it may be fashioned from wood. The design varies from tribe to tribe. Most are from six to nine inches long, pointed at one end, and shaved to a smooth roundness. At the other end, a braid of hair is attached through a hole or with a resinous gum derived from the spinifex bush. To be effective, the kundela must be charged with powerful psychic energy, in a complex ritual that must be performed faultlessly. The process is kept secret from women and all who are not members of the tribe. If the condemned man has fled from his village, the loaded bone is given to the kurdaitcha, the tribe's ritual killers.

A New and Mysterious Art

The kurdaitcha take their name from the special slippers they wear when hunting a condemned man. These are woven from cockatoo feathers and human hair and leave virtually no footprints. The hunters clothe themselves with kangaroo hair, which they stick to their skin after first coating themselves with human blood, and they don't mask of emu feathers. Usually operating in twos or threes, they are relentless and will pursue their quarry for years if necessary. When the hunters finally corner their man, they approach to within 15 feet or so, and one kurdaitcha, or “hit man,” dropping to his knee, holds the bone in his fist and points it like a pistol. At this instant, the condemned man is said to be frozen with fear. The kurdaitcha thrusts the bone toward him and utters a brief, piercing chant. He and his fellow hunters then withdraw, leaving the pointed man to his own devices. When they return to their village, the kundela is ceremonially burned.

The condemned man may live for several more days or weeks. But convinced of the kundela’s fatal power, his relatives and members of any other tribe he may meet (who will certainly have heard that he has been pointed) treat him as though he were already dead.

The ritual loading of the kundela creates a psychic counterpart of the bone—a “spear of thought,” as it has been described—which pierces the condemned man when the bone is pointed at him. Once he has been wounded, the victims' death is certain, as though an actual spear had been thrust through him.

Sources:

I - John Godwin, Unsolved: The World of the Unknown, pp.163-76

II - Ronald Rose, Living Magic, pp.30-36

V - The Song of Death

In middle April 1956, in Arnhem Land, Australia, a young aborigine named Lya Wulumu fell sick and was taken by airplane to a hospital in Darwin. He was unable to eat or drink because, although he tried, he could not swallow. There was, however, no apparent cause for his malady. Examinations, including X-rays, blood tests, and spinal taps, revealed nothing unusual.

Defence against the dark arts

What was going on in the victim's mind was another matter. He asked an attending Methodist minister to pray for him because, as he said, “me bin sung and me finish.” The singing to which Wulumu referred is a form of ritual execution practiced by his people. In his case, a group of women were requested by his mother- in-law to sing him to death, perhaps in reprisal for some taboo that he had broken. To in augur ate the ritual, the women stole Wulumu's spear and throwing stick (woomera) and put the mina ceremonial log. Then they sang the songs that are believed to put the curse of death on the owner of the captured objects. After the singing, his club (nulla nulla) was displayed in a treetop to signify the successful conclusion of the curse. When Wulumu saw the weapon, he knew what had transpired, and when he tried to swallow, he could not.

Wulumu would surely have died had it not been for their own lung. Because of its respiratory support capability, he became convinced that the white man's magic was greater than that of his tribe. He was right.

Sources:

I - John Godwin, Unsolved: The World of the Unknown, p.169

II - The Times (London), August 14, 1956)

VI - A Mother's Curses

Not all curse-deaths take place in primitive places. The following events, for example, occurred in Oklahoma in 1960. The case involved a man who had been raised by a very domineering mother. When he decided to open a nightclub, she helped him finance it and then stayed on to assist with the management.

Mother by dark indigo

Some 14 years later, at age 38, he married and soon after decided to sell the club. His mother warned that if he sold out, “something dire will happen to you.” Two days after her threat, the man, with no prior history of respiratory trouble of any kind, began to experience a mild attack of asthma. Nevertheless, he went ahead and sold the club. The day after the transaction, he called his mother to tell her about it. She once again told him that “Something will strike you.” His asthmatic condition worsened at once, and he was rushed to the hospital.

A psychiatrist was able to help him see the link between his illness and his mother's warnings, and the asthmatic condition began to subside. Feeling better, the man began plans for another business, this time without his mother. Then one day, he called to tell her about it. She did not try to dissuade him, but told him to expect more“dire results” if he persisted. Within an hour of that fateful phone call, he had another attack of asthma and died.

Source: Psychosomatic Medicine, 26: 104 - 07, 1964

VII - Living on the Run

The kundela is used by the aborigines for initiation ceremonies, against enemies, and against those who have broken tribal laws. Within those spheres its power is awesome. There seems to be only one instance of a man surviving after being condemned to die by the bone without the antidote of white man's medicine.

The man, Alan Webb, a full-blooded aborigine of the Arunt a tribe, had shot a fellow tribesmen during a struggle over a rifle. In April 1969 the court found that Webb had been attacked and that the rifle had gone off accidentally. He was declared not guilty of the manslaughter charge. Outside the courtroom, after the verdict had been returned, Webb was met by a tribal delegation. The white men's court was irrelevant, he was told, and he would have to stand trial before his peers among the Arunta. Webb knew very well what the tribe's verdict would be. He had killed a member of his own tribe; therefore, he must die. He promptly left Alice Springs and was sentenced to death in absentia by the Aruntas.

This time the kurdaitcha had a more difficult task than usual. Their quarry was driving a van and living in it with his wife, two children, and three dogs. He slept with a rifle at his side, ready to be awakened at any moment by the barking of the dogs.

Dark Moon Ritual with the Ced Tradition

By 1976, the date of the last available information, Alan Webb had managed to evade the kurdaitcha for seven years, earning his living doing odd jobs and moving on whenever he heard that the death squad was coming his way. It is improbable that anyone has survived an aborigine death sentence for a longer period. But Webb knew—and perhaps still knows—that the kurdaitcha would never abandon their pursuit. And although he spent his life on the fringe of white society, he realized that if his hunters ever came close enough to point the kundela, he would be as good as dead—killed, without trace of injury, by nothing more substantial than a spear of thought.

Source: John Godwin, Unsolved: The World of the Unknown, 175—76

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