In the movie, Phoenix plays Arthur Fleck, a man with several mental illnesses, one of which causes him to laugh uncontrollably at inappropriate times. The condition isn't specifically named on screen, but it's likely based on a real disorder called pseudobulbar affect.

What triggers Jokers' laugh?

In Joker, Fleck's outbursts were triggered when he became angry, embarrassed, shocked or nervous, especially in public situations. Eventually, it's an incident during a PBA episode on a train that sparks Fleck's transformation into Joker and his descent into villainy.

Why do I have a Joker laugh?

The condition known as pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is characterized by brief uncontrollable outbursts of crying or laughter that are incongruent with the patient's feelings of sadness or joy.

What is the Joker's laughing condition?

The above-mentioned characteristics make the Joker's laughing episodes compatible at first sight with the pseudobulbar affect, a clinical entity characterized by episodes of exaggerated or involuntary expression of emotions, including uncontrolled laughing or crying.

What is the smiling disorder in Joker?

Arthur Fleck, the central character of the 2019 film Joker, displays signs of pseudobulbar affect, which are said to be what Joaquin Phoenix used as inspiration for his character's signature laugh.

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What is the Joker's mental illness?

The psychopathology Arthur exhibits is unclear, preventing diagnosis of psychotic disorder or schizophrenia; the unusual combination of symptoms suggests a complex mix of features of certain personality traits, namely psychopathy and narcissism (he meets DSM-5 criteria for narcissistic personality disorder).

Why does Arthur keep laughing?

The Pseudobulbar Affect In Joker

The laughter appears to be an expression of Arthur Fleck's inner turmoil, and triggers whenever he feels stress, or else attempts to express the truth of what he's actually feeling.

What is Joker's sickness?

In Joker's case, pseudobulbar affect probably occurred secondary to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). A number of studies have established that TBI increases the risk of mood disorders, personality changes and substance use disorders.

Why does the Joker lip his lips?

In the documentary I Am Heath Ledger (via Digital Spy) it's revealed that, in order to keep the prosthetics in their place as they got loose when he spoke, Ledger had to lick his makeup to keep it in place, and it ended up becoming part of the Joker's manic personality, as well as his most memorable mannerism.

What is the Joker's last laugh about?

Synopsis. While locked up in the Slab penitentiary, the Joker finds out he is suffering from a terminal brain tumor. Determined to go out with a bang, he uses a venom to "jokerize" other inmates, making them insane and changing their appearance, giving them white skin, green hair, and a wide smile.

What does Joker smile mean?

On the surface, this Joker wants to look “happy.” That's what he's told he's supposed to be. And, his uncontrollable laughing condition is because of how he's been forced to control his anger and sadness; to “stuff it” deep down inside.

Why is the Joker so skinny?

Director Todd Phillips considered the character's body size as one way to represent his vulnerability. It is important to emphasize that unlike most people who diet to lose weight or who develop an eating disorder, Phoenix's weight loss was intended for the short amount of time it took to shoot the movie.

What is the Joker who laughs?

He is depicted as a hybrid of both Batman (Bruce Wayne) and Batman's arch enemy Joker, and is a member of the Dark Knights and the overarching antagonist of the Dark Multiverse Saga, alongside cosmic deities Perpetua and Barbatos, from 2017 to 2021, following DC Rebirth.

What does the Joker hate?

But as a new DC Comics story makes patently clear, even this universally-known madman has a line he won't cross: Nazism. "I'm an American, I [CENSORED] hate Nazis," Joker says in a panel from Injustice: Year Zero #4 teased by writer Tom Taylor. "I'm a homicidal maniac, not a traitorous bigot."

Who is the Joker's dad?

In Joker, Thomas Wayne (Batman's father) and Penny Fleck (Joker's mother) are key characters. Penny claims that Thomas is actually Arthur's father.

Why does Joker snap his own neck?

The Joker then finally says "See you in Hell!., before, in a last act of revenge against his enemy, twists his neck just far enough to kill himself, committing suicide and framing his enemy for his own murder.

Why did Joker lose his face?

Origins. When the Joker became obsessing over destroying the Bat-Family, he decided to arrange for his face to be surgically removed. According to the Joker, he did this to symbolize how even without his, "Mask" he was still the joker where-as Batman's Robins and Bat-Girls' identities were only mask-deep.

Does Joker have a laughing disorder?

Pseudobulbar affect

These episodes are excessive, inconsistent with or disproportionate to circumstances or the patient's underlying mood at the time. In Joker's case, pseudobulbar affect probably occurred secondary to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

What causes a Joker smile?

This is because the top lip, injected with filler, can't move naturally. Therefore, the movement at the corners of the mouth is much more pronounced. Added to this is the effect created by plumped-out pillow cheeks, which again, cannot move naturally, and so accentuate the grimace .

What mental illness Joker has?

The Joker (or Arthur) appears to have a complex mix of diagnoses, including pseudobulbar affect – a rare condition consisting of uncontrollable laugher or crying, and possibly a psychotic illness, evidenced by his apparent hallucinations about the subject of his affections (played by Zazie Beetz).

Is Joker's blood toxic?

Joker's Blood and Titan Disease Made a Deadly Disease in Batman; Arkham City. As if he wasn't toxic enough, the Joker's blood is also poisonous.

What disorder does Harley Quinn have?

Everyone knows Harley Quinn as the Jokers' girl, but how did she become Harley Quinn? Personality Disorder, specifically, Histrionic Personality Disorder plays a key part in Harley Quinn's life.

Why did the Joker go crazy?

The Joker has undergone many revisions since his 1940 debut. The most common interpretation of the character is that of a man who, while disguised as the criminal Red Hood, is pursued by Batman and falls into a vat of chemicals that bleaches his skin, colors his hair green and his lips red, and drives him insane.

Does Arthur ever cry?

Whether it's from being injured or losing a horse he's been closely bonded with, Arthur will actually shed some tears if the situation calls for it. Arthur Morgan is a complex character, and although he doesn't always do the right thing, he ultimately has a big heart.

What abuse did the Joker suffer?

He lived with his mother Penny Fleck, who had possibly adopted him. Enduring his abuse, Arthur was found tied to a radiator, bruised and malnourished; he suffered severe head trauma that was believed to have caused him to have his uncontrollable fits of laughter.