Joker
Arthur Fleck works as a clown and is an aspiring stand-up comic. He has mental health issues, part of which involves uncontrollable laughter. Times are tough and, due to his issues and occupation, Arthur has an even worse time than most. Over time these issues bear down on him, shaping his actions, making him ultimately take on the persona he is more known as...Joker.
Despite a respectable budget of $55.0M, Joker became a box office phenomenon, earning $1079.0M worldwide—a remarkable 1862% return.
2 Oscars. 120 wins & 246 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Joker (2019) exemplifies carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Todd Phillips's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 2 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 4.2, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Arthur Fleck applies clown makeup in a decrepit room, forcing a grotesque smile with his fingers. A broken man in a broken city, desperately trying to bring joy to a world that has none for him.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Arthur is brutally beaten by teenagers who stole his sign, then loses his job when his co-worker Randall gives him a gun "for protection" and it falls out during a children's hospital performance. He's fired and loses his only source of income.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Arthur shoots and kills the three men on the subway. His first active choice to fight back violently. He doesn't flee in horror—he dances in a public bathroom, a baptism in violence. The old Arthur dies; something new emerges., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 81 minutes (66% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Arthur enters Sophie's apartment and she reacts with terror—their entire relationship was his delusion. Every moment of connection, love, and being seen was a fantasy. The whiff of death: the death of his last connection to humanity and hope. He is utterly alone., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 71% of the runtime. The finale: Arthur, now Joker, appears on Murray Franklin's show. He confesses to the subway murders, delivers a monologue condemning society's cruelty, and shoots Murray on live television. Arrested, he's freed by clown-masked rioters in a car crash. They lift him onto a car hood—their king. Thomas and Martha Wayne are murdered in an alley., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Joker's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Joker against these established plot points, we can identify how Todd Phillips utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Joker within the crime genre.
Todd Phillips's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Todd Phillips films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Joker takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Todd Phillips filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Todd Phillips analyses, see School for Scoundrels, Due Date and War Dogs.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Arthur Fleck applies clown makeup in a decrepit room, forcing a grotesque smile with his fingers. A broken man in a broken city, desperately trying to bring joy to a world that has none for him.
Theme
Arthur's social worker asks: "Is it just me, or is it getting crazier out there?" The theme of societal breakdown and the thin line between sanity and madness is established. She notes his notebook and tells him the city doesn't care about him or her.
Worldbuilding
Arthur's pathetic existence unfolds: working as a clown-for-hire, living with his ailing mother Penny, suffering from a neurological condition causing pathological laughter, taking seven medications, dreaming of being a stand-up comedian and appearing on Murray Franklin's show. Gotham is a garbage strike-plagued cesspool of wealth inequality.
Disruption
Arthur is brutally beaten by teenagers who stole his sign, then loses his job when his co-worker Randall gives him a gun "for protection" and it falls out during a children's hospital performance. He's fired and loses his only source of income.
Resistance
Arthur spirals in debate with himself and society. He rehearses stand-up comedy. He reads his mother's letter claiming Thomas Wayne is Arthur's father. On the subway, his pathological laughter draws the attention of three Wayne Enterprises yuppies who mock and assault him.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Arthur shoots and kills the three men on the subway. His first active choice to fight back violently. He doesn't flee in horror—he dances in a public bathroom, a baptism in violence. The old Arthur dies; something new emerges.
Premise
The promise of the premise: Arthur explores his new identity. The subway murders spark a clown-masked protest movement. Arthur investigates Thomas Wayne, confronts him at a movie theater and later at Wayne Manor. He discovers his "relationship" with Sophie may be real (it isn't). The city embraces the killer as a folk hero.
Opposition
Everything tightens: Detectives close in on Arthur. He breaks into Arkham to find his mother's records and discovers the truth—he's adopted, was abused as a child, and Thomas Wayne is not his father. His mother lied. He confronts and suffocates Penny in the hospital. Randall and his former co-worker visit.
Collapse
Arthur enters Sophie's apartment and she reacts with terror—their entire relationship was his delusion. Every moment of connection, love, and being seen was a fantasy. The whiff of death: the death of his last connection to humanity and hope. He is utterly alone.
Crisis
Arthur processes the darkness. He bathes his mother's apartment in shadow. In his dark night, he doesn't seek redemption—he kills Randall with scissors in front of his former co-worker, then lets the dwarf leave. He's choosing chaos. He dyes his hair green and prepares for Murray.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale: Arthur, now Joker, appears on Murray Franklin's show. He confesses to the subway murders, delivers a monologue condemning society's cruelty, and shoots Murray on live television. Arrested, he's freed by clown-masked rioters in a car crash. They lift him onto a car hood—their king. Thomas and Martha Wayne are murdered in an alley.