Portrayal of violence

• 'Joker sparked significant controversy over its depiction of violence
• Critics feared the film might:

  • Glorify vigilante behavior
  • Inspire copycat acts

  given its portrayal of Arthur as a sympathetic, though disturbed, individual
• The film engages with ongoing cultural debates about the influence of media on real world violence, drawing parallels to controversies surrounding video games and violent films
• But, 'Joker' also critiques societal desensitization to violence, presenting it as a byproduct of systemic neglect and personal desperation, rather than an inherent characteristic of its protagonist