Is Arthur's first meeting with Murray an imagination?

In this movie, Joker, Arthur is in the audience during a live show hosted by Murray and Arthur is eventually invited onto the stage by Murray; Murray ends up hugging Arthur and call Arthur his son.

There are several things out of place in this scene:

Murray shows compassion towards Arthur and goes far enough to embrace Arthur as his own son; later on in the movie, Murray is shown constantly mocking Arthur as a failed stand up comedian
During their subsequent meeting, neither Murray or Arthur seem to recall their passionate first meeting and hugging.

Given Arthur's unstable character, is it possible their first meeting only happens in his own head?

joker

Best Answer

Without doubt the first meeting happens entirely in Arthur's head.

There is no reference to this meeting when Arthur's clip from his standup routine is exploited on Murray's show. I consider this an explicit, in-universe answer with no ambiguity.
You've already referenced the second meeting. Murray should have said something in the green room had they met before.
Immediately before the 'first meeting', we see Arthur transfixed with the television set as shown by his glazed eyes and the slow zoom towards the television itself. This is Arthur entering his imaginary state.

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Arthur has a neurological condition that causes him to laugh involuntarily, which the film suggests may stem from a traumatic brain injury caused by childhood parental abuse. Throughout the film he experiences undefined psychiatric symptoms that include paranoia, visual hallucinations and delusions of grandeur.

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In the film, Pupkin is a comedian obsessed with a talk-show host. Franklin is also based on former late night talk show host Johnny Carson.

Was all of Joker in his head?

1. It's all in his head. Before the credits roll on Joker, audiences are asked to suspend all belief that what they've been watching is actually true. As the movie heads into its final chapter, it becomes increasingly clear that the Harlequin of Hate has been telling a few porky pies.

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