As Joker makes its way into theaters around the world, Comingsoon.net is taking a look at some other memorable movie anarchists (or “manarchists”—men who embrace anarchy). Check out some mayhem in the gallery below!
One of the most romanticized archetypes in cinema in that of the anarchist: the antihero or deplorable villain who sees society as the antagonist of their story. Todd Phillips‘ new movie, Joker starring Joaquin Phoenix as the titular character explores the idea that crazy is a byproduct of its environment. This is not a new idea; many films have sought to deconstruct societal ideologies and philosophies—classic movies like Taxi Driver, The King of Comedy and Dog Day Afternoon all harken back to this storytelling structure.
The type of “manarchists” these films center around are always extreme (obviously). In order to deal with one extreme (crime, inequality, etc.), storytellers need to create another; and these characters are extreme. They burn, pillage, sabotage and motivate others to do the same, all in the name of symmetry. At the core of George Lucas’ Star Wars franchise is the idea that light and dark balance each other. The following characters are a nuclear blast of extremist equilibrium meant to turn the tide.
The Best Movie Manarchists
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The Joker, The Dark Knight (2008)
One of the most iconic anarchists of all time. The Joker has been immortalized as the crown prince of mayhem in cinema by an array of spectacular actors, the most notable being Heath Ledger's portrayal of the man who "just [wanted] to watch the world burn."
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Tyler Durden, Fight Club (1999)
The protagonist/antagonist of David Fincher's Chuck Palahniuk adaptation is the leader of the cult-like, Project Mayhem, a group that promotes an anti-consumerism ideology.
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Ra's al Ghul, Batman Begins (2005)
(Spoiler alert! Comic books love a good anarchist.) Ra's al Ghul is the leader of the League of Shadows, an organization that uses unconventional methods to deal with criminality. They believe that the right response to crime is a punishment equal in severity—fight criminality with fear.
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Alex, A Clockwork Orange (1971)
While Alex isn't necessarily an anarchist (oftentimes understanding the need for social order), his character and the plot of A Clockwork Orange makes the argument that society cannot make someone moral—morality has to be a choice.
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William Foster, Falling Down (1993)
The original theatrical trailer for Falling Down presents William Foster to us as an ordinary man who is running out of patience. What he really is an unemployed, ex-military, former defense engineer who has a nervous breakdown. The film follows him as he goes on a (verbal and violent) rampage condemning society.
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Sonny Wortzik, Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Al Pacino plays Sonny Wortzik, a man who attempts to rob a bank in order to acquire the money necessary for his husband's sex-reassignment surgery. The film explores various social issues, at one point the main character shouts "Attica!" invoking the then relevant Attica Prison riot.
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Bane, The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
In The Dark Knight Rises, Bane picks up where Ra's al Ghul left off. This character attempts to bring down Gotham via literal anarchy...and of course, a nuclear bomb.
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Travis Bickle, Taxi Driver (1976)
Travis Bickle is probably the character that has most heavily influenced Todd Phillips' Joker. Bickle is an isolated, depressed Vietnam vet disgusted by the city he lives in. As his frustrations further, he begins to take them out on those around him.
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Mr. Glass, Unbreakable (2000)
Elijah Price AKA Mr. Glass is obsessed with comic books: good vs. evil. He believes himself to be a real-life arch-villain and organizes terrorist disasters to not only prove this but find his equal in the light. Mr. Glass is a character that enjoys chaos and sees value in it.
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Magneto, X-Men Franchise (2000-2019)
Magneto is a character that promotes equality but never really gives it a chance. Instead, Erik Lehnsherr would rather encourage an all-out war between mutants and humans, mutants, not having to answer to society.
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Cosmo, Sneakers (1992)
Ben Kingsley plays Cosmo, an ex-hacker turned anarchist bent on destabilizing the world's economy in this fun caper.
