Batman / Batman Joker

Is the Joker Movie Set Before Batman?

The Joker movie has been a topic of discussion since its release in 2019. One of the questions that have been pondered upon by many is whether the movie takes place before Batman’s arrival in Gotham City. Let’s delve deeper into this topic and find out.

Background

Before we dive into whether the Joker movie is set before Batman, let’s first understand a bit about the two characters’ history. The Joker and Batman are two iconic characters from DC Comics.

The Joker is known for his insanity, unpredictability, and his arch-nemesis relationship with Batman. Batman, on the other hand, is known for his skills, intelligence and his fight against crime in Gotham City.

The Joker Movie Plot

The Joker movie tells the story of Arthur Fleck (played by Joaquin Phoenix), a failed stand-up comedian who turns to a life of crime after being mistreated by society. The movie portrays Fleck’s journey as he evolves into the psychotic clown prince of crime that we all know as the Joker.

Timeline

Now let’s answer the question at hand- Is the Joker Movie Set Before Batman? The answer is yes; technically speaking, it does take place before Bruce Wayne becomes Batman.

Throughout the film, there are no appearances or mentions of Bruce Wayne or any version of Batman. Additionally, Thomas Wayne (Bruce Wayne’s father) is depicted as a wealthy businessman who Arthur Fleck becomes obsessed with. This version of Thomas Wayne has not yet been murdered by Joe Chill in Crime Alley; thus, Bruce Wayne has not yet become an orphan and donned his infamous bat suit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there are no direct references or appearances to Batman throughout The Joker movie, it still takes place within Gotham City where both characters exist. Therefore it can be said that the film is set before Batman’s arrival. Despite this fact, the movie is still an excellent portrayal of the Joker character and offers an interesting take on his origin story.