Did Joker Kill Sophie in the 2019 Film Joker?

Introduction

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The 2019 film Joker, directed by Todd Phillips, has been widely discussed for its ambiguous and psychological portrayal of its protagonist. One of the key unanswered questions is whether the character Arthur Fleck (played by Joaquin Phoenix) kills his neighbor Sophie (played by Zazie Beetz). While some viewers believe the film is clear on her fate, others are convinced of a different interpretation. Letrsquo;s explore the evidence and arguments surrounding this enigmatic scene.

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Controversy and Ambiguity

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The Joker film leaves Arthur Fleckrsquo;s fate in ambiguous territory. Following the sequence of events that transform him into the Joker, the film presents a scene where Arthur visits Sophiersquo;s apartment. This encounter is often depicted as a violent one, but the film does not explicitly show her death or confirm it. This ambiguity has led to varied interpretations among viewers.

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Arguments Against the Killing

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Argument 1: No Justifiable Reason for Murder

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Supporters of the argument that Arthur did not kill Sophie often cite several key points:

r r Arthur only killed those who wronged him throughout his transformation.r Sophie never wronged him, and he was aware of this.r The scene may be indicative of Arthur's mental state rather than a definitive act of violence.r The protagonistrsquo;s intention to kill himself in a different scene contradicts any grand murder plan.r Flowers signify a gesture of respect or affection, suggesting an imagined rather than real encounter.r r r

Argument 2: Final Twist and Backpedaling

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Critics argue that director Todd Phillips is backpedaling to appease critics and viewers, thereby undermining the filmrsquo;s credibility:

r r Claiming ambiguity is a further twist in the filmrsquo;s plot.r Disregarding the filmrsquo;s evidence that suggests a killing took place.r Using the post-credits scene involving Arthur killing the show host to justify the Sophie accusation.r r r

Supporting the Killing Theory

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Detractors of the theory that Arthur did not kill Sophie often point to additional evidence:

r r The presence of the flowers and possible note indicating a plan to give them to Sophie.r The lack of any justifiable reason for Arthur to commit such acts, as depicted in subsequent scenes.r Director Todd Phillipsrsquo; own confirmation of the characterrsquo;s intentions.r r r

Conclusion

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The question of whether Arthur Fleck kills Sophie in Joker remains a subject of interpretation. While some viewers are convinced by the ambiguous nature of the filmrsquo;s representation, others are confident that the characterrsquo;s actions are clear. The filmrsquo;s direction and storyline have sparked a range of debates, further fueling the discussion and providing a rich subject for critical analysis.

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