Spoiler warning for Joker

The polarizing new DC Comics film Joker has left fans puzzled on a number of plot points.

One of the main sticking points is the matter of the parentage of Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) in the Todd Phillips film.

The future Joker is told conflicting stories about who his biological parents are, with his mother Penny Fleck (Frances Conroy) saying he is the product of an affair she had with her old boss Thomas Wayne (Brett Cullen) - meaning he would be the half-brother of future Batman himself Bruce Wayne - and Thomas Wayne and his butler Alfred Pennyworth (Douglas Hodge) telling Arthur that he was adopted by Penny who grew delusional and made up the claims about his Wayne lineage.

While hospital records made it seem that Penny was lying, Fleck found a photo of his mother as a young woman with a flattering comment from Wayne written on the back.

So what is the truth?

Arthur (Joaquin Phoenix, left) and Penny (Frances Conroy, right) (
Image:
WARNER BROS FILMS)

Actor Brett Cullen told The Hollywood Reporter: "I was very surprised when I read the twist. I went to Todd and asked, “Are we playing this the way I think we’re playing this?” Todd responded with, “What would be a compelling reason for the Joker to hate Batman so much?” The idea that the Joker is an illegitimate child that didn’t get anything from the Wayne family is a very compelling motivation for his character’s hatred."

He also reveals that he played the character of Thomas Wayne as if he had had an affair with Penny Fleck.

"I asked Todd how Thomas Wayne would've know Arthur’s mother," adds Cullen The backstory was that Arthur’s mother had worked for Thomas in his home, and she was a beautiful woman who Thomas was attracted to and it led to a physical relationship. Later in life, she’s in and out of mental institutions. And in my mind, Thomas Wayne put her there.

"What I like about the film is that it’s about real people with real faults who make mistakes. Some are done out of protection, like moving Arthur and his mother out of the picture."

Joker (
Image:
WARNER BROS FILMS)

Very intriguing!

Perhaps this will be explored more if a sequel does end up happening - even if it seems unlikely right now.

Joker is in cinemas now.

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