A wise man told me that evil never presents itself as what it really is, it disguises itself as virtue. If the purpose of art is to provoke thought, then this is the conclusion that Todd Phillips’ Joker brings to mind. A story about an antisocial, mentally ill character named Arthur who tries to make other people happy but is met with ridicule, so he murders everyone who is mean to him and wins the public’s attention. It is a stupendously gripping psychological drama, an action thriller. The music is captivating; the lighting is masterful; the effects and editing are superb; and the performance — stellar. So why is it that after watching Joker, one is left feeling confused, numb, angry, and even noxious? What was the movie’s point?