TRACES OF GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM IN TODD PHILLIP’S JOKER (2019)

In this study, the writer discussed the dynamic process of changing Arthur’s character into Joker that has been classified as an expressionist film through the elements of German Expressionist Cinema such as the plot, protagonist, set design, and cinematography. Therefore, the writer used the conceptual framework with the parameters of the four elements which happened to be answered by Britannica, 2020; Crabbe, 2016; Elsaesser et al., 2016; Kuhn & Westwell, 2012; Razzano & Smith, 2018 for highlighting the presence of the German Expressionist elements in this study. This study aimed to identify and explain Joker (Phillip, 2019) as an expressionist film. Furthermore, the writer used the qualitative research method to find and collect data on the related topic. This research provided a new perspective on the psychological thriller genre by taking the point of view of the expressionist film as presented in Joker (Phillip, 2019). This study found that traces of German Expressionism strengthen the position of Joker (Phillip, 2019) as a modern American cinema that has been influenced by several elements of the German Expressionist Movement and Hollywood film