Have you watched “The Movie: Joker “? I watched it yesterday, actually twice. I must admit I didn’t grasp its deeper meaning the first time.
I had also read about ‘the Lucifer Effect’, which describes the transformation of a benevolent being into a malevolent one. Although it’s a myth, it’s also discussed in psychology. Arthur’s transformation in the movie made this concept clearer for me.
In the film, we see a person with good intentions, constantly ostracized and neglected, who experiences a sudden loss of control and embraces evil. He develops excessive self-confidence, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction, ultimately revealing his true self. It’s a metaphor for personality.
This shows how delicate the balance between good and evil is. It reveals how internal or societal traumas can transform a person, and how fragile our sense of self-control can be.
Arthur’s transformation is complex and multifaceted. This transformation reminded me of Jung’s concept of the “shadow.” Arthur struggles to hide his dark side, his “shadow,” while also working to control these feelings. He feeds this dark side instead of confronting it, eventually losing control. At this point, his shadow emerges, demonstrating that the more we suppress something, the stronger it becomes.
Nietzsche’s quote about the weak being oppressed by the strong also illuminates the events in the film. Arthur, constantly belittled and weakened by society, develops anger and a desire for revenge.
This is a dramatic example of the internal struggle between good and evil that every human experiences.
There’s also an interesting psychological perspective that suggests there’s a bit of evil in every good deed. Evil, they say, is as bold as a firefly, not hiding.
Interestingly, psychologists have primarily focused on the concept of “evil” when examining the concepts of good and evil.
Sometimes, these concepts become clearer when we experience them, like when we watch the same movie twice. It’s as if our experiences, situations, and circumstances shape our understanding.
I had a similar experience with “Where the Crawdads Sing.” The second time I watched it, I focused more on the characters’ psychology and the traumas they experienced, rather than the romance of the story. This gave the film a whole new meaning. ( wish to read its book )
Perhaps we should rewatch movies more often. Each rewatch might offer a new perspective, especially as we go through different phases of life. This applies not only to films but also to our understanding of life itself.
Have you had a similar experience?
