抄録
The film Joker（ 2019） ignited a social phenomenon characterized by the celebration of evil and the embrace of chaos. Directed by Todd Phillips, and starring Joaquin Phoenix, this origin story of the iconic DC Comics villain, Joker, diverges from traditional superhero films by deeply engaging with contemporary issues of inequality and alienation, thereby evoking a paradoxical “empathy for evil” among audiences. This paper investigates the rhetorical mechanisms behind the film’s profound cultural impact, employing Fantasy Theme Analysis（FTA） as its critical methodology. Developed by Ernest G. Bormann, FTA illuminates how symbolic communication forges shared worldviews, or “fantasies.” The method identifies recurring fantasy themes （characters, settings, actions） that coalesce into fantasy types, ultimately shaping a collective rhetorical vision. This study argues that Joker captivates its audience by constructing a rhetorical vision that unfolds in three stages: first, depicting the protagonist’s profound social alienation; second, framing his turn to violence as a form of retaliation; and finally, culminating in his recognition as an anti-hero. This narrative progression ultimately presents a dangerous fantasy where embracing evil becomes a viable, even celebrated, path to achieving social recognition and self-actualization in a society perceived as unjust.
https://ror.org/02rqvrp93 
