Line #36 WesternAnimation/BatmanTheKillingJoke


1	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/killing_joke_poster.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:300:''There were these two guys in a -- [[DidntWeUseThisJokeAlready wait, you've heard that one before, haven't you?'']]]]
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4	''Batman: The Killing Joke'' is a 2016 animated movie in the WesternAnimation/DCUniverseAnimatedOriginalMovies, based on the famous [[ComicBook/TheKillingJoke comic of the same name]], written by Creator/AlanMoore and drawn by Brian Bolland.
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6	ComicBook/TheJoker believes that life is nothing but a sick joke and all it takes is one bad day to make someone as bad as himself--and to prove this, he has targeted Commissioner Gordon, while at the same time, ComicBook/{{Batman}} wonders if there will ever be an end to their feud. What follows is a twisted night as Batman wonders if the only way his feud with the Joker will end is with one killing the other.
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8	Voice actors include ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'' co-stars Creator/KevinConroy, Creator/MarkHamill, and Creator/TaraStrong reprising their respective roles as ComicBook/{{Batman}}, ComicBook/TheJoker, and [[ComicBook/{{Oracle}} Barbara Gordon]]. Other voice actors include Creator/RayWise (''Series/TwinPeaks'') as Commissioner Gordon. The film was written by well-known comic writer Creator/BrianAzzarello. See the trailer [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnTSqgJPVl8 here,]] receiving a one-time feature in theaters before being released to buy digitally on July 26, and on Blu-ray/DVD August 2, 2016.
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11	!!Tropes in the film:
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13	* ActionizedAdaptation: The film added an ActionPrologue and several action sequences not in the original comic to pad out the runtime, as the original story was only 45 pages long.
14	* AdaptationExpansion: The film has a 30-minute prologue that deals heavily with Batgirl and a bit of time before she was crippled and became Oracle. The film also expands upon Batman's search for the Joker, showing him fully interact with criminals and prostitutes. Joker's circus troupe is also shown more and does more than in the comics, where they [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere all fled at the sight]] of the Batmobile. The film also expands on Joker's mind games, adding in a KangarooCourt scene where Joker asks Gordon to judge an unnamed person who brutalizes his fellow man and shows no care for the law. Gordon, thinking the person in question is Joker, says to throw the book at them, only to find out the accused is Batman.
15	* AdaptationalBadass: The Joker's circus troupe is shown actually fighting with Batman before he confronts the Joker, a contrast to the comic where their reaction to the mere sight of the Batmobile was ScrewThisImOuttaHere.
16	* AdaptationalEarlyAppearance: One of the pictures of the Joker shown on the Bat Computer depicts Harley Quinn, when the source material predated Harley's work of origin, ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'', by four years, and she wouldn't be integrated into the comics universe until 1999.
17	* AdaptationalJerkass:
18	** Batgirl isn't perfect, but she's usually a good person with a fairly even head on her shoulders who looks out for others. That's not the case here; in this, she's considerably more hot-headed, impulsive, stupid, selfish, and reckless.
19	** Batman [[spoiler:has sex with Batgirl. Most versions of Batman would ''never'', owing to his avoidance of sex apart from a few characters, and the fact that Batgirl is a younger protege and the daughter of one of his closest allies. He also throws one of Joker's midget goons into the pit of spikes, almost certainly killing the guy and meaning he doesn't hold ThouShaltNotKill as sacred as his other counterparts.]]
20	* AdaptationalWimp: Barbara Gordon suffers from this thanks to massive {{Chickification}}. The film's version of our main heroine became Batman's sidekick because she wanted to earn his love and respect over performing good deeds for the sake of justice. However, in her few battle sequences she nearly loses to Paris Franz, a BigBadWannabe who's not even considered a genuine threat.
21	* AllEncompassingMantle: Batman, as always. In Joker's {{flashback}}, he looks even more demonic than usual.
22	* AllGirlsWantBadBoys: Batgirl passes over dating nice guys in favor of [[spoiler:her mentor Batman.]]
23	* AllMenArePerverts: Paris Franz is [[AmazonChaser obsessed with Batgirl]] to the point where he tries to come onto her every time they meet, Joker routinely hires prostitutes, Batman sleeps with his protege, and while chasing Batman in her motorcycle, Batgirl notices a trucker was gawking at her (reminding her of Paris, which motivates her to find him on her own). The only major male characters who don't sexualize Barbara are her father and her GayBestFriend.
24	* AllWomenAreLustful: ''Every female'' featured in the film is showcased lusting after someone or openly admitting sexual relations with their lovers.
25	** Batgirl's motivations in the film revolve around her infatuation for Batman.
26	** [[spoiler:Joker's wife]] admits that she stays with him because he's "[[SexGod good in the sack]]."
27	** {{Justified\|Trope}} for the sex workers since it's part of the job.
28	* AmusementParkOfDoom: The Joker's base of operations is naturally an amusement park.
29	* AssholeVictim: The two thugs who hired the man who would become Joker to be the Red Hood and threatened to kill him when he tried to back out are shot to death. [[UnreliableNarrator If Joker's backstory is true.]]
30	* ArmorPiercingQuestion: Barbara's gay best friend asks her if her crush, "yoga guy", is "only human, right?". Barbara stays silent, thinking about Batman.
31	* ArmorPiercingResponse: During a fight, Barbara asks Batman about being pushed to the edge, of which she asks him of what. Batman replies "the abyss where all hope dies". There's a {{Beat}} between both of them before he tells her she's off the case.
32	* BadassBookworm: Barbara, being a librarian who knows martial arts.
33	* BaitAndSwitchComparison: Joker taunts Gordon to "throw the book" at someone who "has no regard for the law", "who treats people like meat", "a man who has no problem brutalizing his fellow man to get his way", and who "breaks the laws you are sworn to uphold, a monster who ignores ''everything'' you stand for". Gordon gives in, [[LiteralMetaphor throwing the provided book, "The Law", at the Joker]]... [[spoiler:only for a Batman cutout to pop up and take the hit instead]].
34	* BigBadWannabe: Paris aspires to be the kingpin of his uncle's racket, as well as Batgirl's own personal Catwoman.
35	* BlackComedy: What else is to be expected from ComicBook/TheJoker? Special mention to his HurricaneOfPuns just after [[spoiler:paralyzing Barbara]].
36	* BlameGame:
37	** While beating Paris, Batgirl yells at him for "ruin[ing] everything" in regards to her relationship with Bruce.
38	** One of the two gangsters pin the attempted robbery on the man who'll become the Joker for screwing it up.
39	* BlasphemousBoast: As in ''Film/BatmanBegins'', Batman's response to someone he's interrogating saying "I swear to God" is "Swear to me."
40	* BlondeBrunetteRedhead: Trios of sex workers, ''twice''. The first trio hired by Franz to provide entertainment (particularly the redhead), then a different trio questioned by Batman when searching for Joker.
41	* BookEnds: During the final act, [[spoiler:the room where Joker is wanting Batman to laugh looks awfully similar to his former home with his pregnant wife]].
42	* BoomHeadshot: The two gangsters who hired the Joker to pose as the Red Hood die getting shot by security guards at Ace Chemicals.
43	* {{Bowdlerize}}: Although the film keeps the violence of the original story intact, Barbara's nipples aren't visible in the funhouse photographs (they were in the book), nor is Commissioner Gordon's penis.
44	* BrawnHilda: The fat lady at the carnival.
45	* BreakingTheFourthWall: The film starts out with Barbara flat out stating the audience wasn't expecting the film to start with her story first.
46	* BusbyBerkeleyNumber: The trope is name-dropped by the composers when talking about "The Looney Song" and its role in the story.
47	* TheCameo: Two-Face appears at Arkham Asylum trying to reach for his coin, which fell outside his cell.
48	* CarnivalOfKillers: The Joker conveniently finds some AxCrazy Circus freaks who'll help him get revenge on Batman.
49	* {{Chickification}}: Batgirl goes from a no-nonsense, spunky ActionGirl proudly fighting by Batman's side into an angsty, BrattyTeenageDaughter who's smitten with her mentor and afraid of fights out of fear of losing herself within less than 30 minutes.
50	* CollateralAngst: Despite the AdaptationExpansion prologue, Barbara's role in the main plot remains the same: to be shot, stripped down [[spoiler:and possibly raped by the Joker]], and to induce angst in Jim Gordon.
51	* CompositeCharacter: Batgirl's motivations of chasing after Batman romantically are modeled after the original Batwoman, Kathy Kane. And her disobedience and attitude towards Batman seemed to be based off of Jason Todd, the second Robin. The only things she really has in common with Barbara Gordon in the comics and most versions are [[InNameOnly her name]] and her costume.
52	* ContinuityPorn: Batman's computer screen showcases all of the Joker's most famous storylines, images, and {{mythology gag}}s at once.
53	* CreatorThumbprint: The adaptation is written by Creator/BrianAzzarello and the prologue generally features a lot of the stuff from his comics, a really gritty seediness in its underworld setting, and over-the-top sexualized villain in the form of Paris Franz, and the InterplayOfSexAndViolence. Likewise one throwaway line later in the film, where one bad guy says that the underworld finds Batman scary but Joker terrifying owes more to Azzarello's comic, ''Comicbook/{{Joker}}'' than the Moore original. It also shows Joker as sexually active and committing rape, with this film establishing him as a frequenter of call girls ([[spoiler:also a choice line left certain viewers with the impression that he may have raped Barbara in the film itself]]), whereas Joker in the comics, even with Harley Quinn at his side, has largely been interpreted as being completely uninterested in sex to the point of being asexual.
54	* CreepyCircusMusic: "[[https://youtu.be/f0wJNl320eQ I Go Looney]]," the Joker's written VillainSong from the original graphic novel about succumbing to madness in times of stress, is imagined here as a deranged carnival-ish tune, with a bit of a vaudeville showtune aesthetic as well. This is quite fitting for a MonsterClown singing about insanity to a man being forced through a carnival dark ride.
55	* DarkerAndEdgier: [[http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/14/batman-killing-joke-animated-rated-r It is the first "R"-rated movie in the line.]] As can be seen from the trailers, the color scheme mimics the re-release, which [[DeliberatelyMonochrome has next to no color]] in flashbacks, Batman's chest emblem lacks the yellow oval and when the Joker has his first laugh, [[EyeScream he cries blood]] instead of tears.[[note]] Strangely, it was only rated ''PG'' in Canada.[[/note]]
56	* DeathByAdaptation: Among the photos Bruce has on the Batcomputer once Joker escaped is a bloodied Jason Todd, based on one of the covers to ''ComicBook/ADeathInTheFamily''. The comic version of ''TKJ'' happened ''before'' the events of ''[=ADitF=]'', as the Joker's actions in the latter storyline are motivated by the GCPD clamping down on his assets after what he did to Barbara and Jim, and Barbara is even in a wheelchair at Jason's funeral.
57	* DeathByOriginStory: Jeannie, the Joker's wife, dies in his origin story.
58	* DecoyProtagonist: The first 30 minutes focus on Batgirl but Batman --and the Joker-- ''are'' the real protagonists. If you don't know the source material you might fall for it.
59	* DidNotGetTheGuy: Batgirl tries (and fails) to win over her mentor/crush Batman in the film adaptation.
60	* DiscOneFinalBoss: Perry Francesco ("Paris Franz"), the nephew of mob boss Don Francesco, is the villain for the first 30 minutes before Joker arrives.
61	* DisproportionateRetribution: Frustrated over Batman avoiding her [[spoiler: since they had sex]], Barbara karate throws a man for telling his needy girlfriend "he needs space".
62	* DisneyVillainDeath: ''Batman'' actually pushes one of Joker's goons down into a spike pit.
63	* DomesticAbuse: In Joker's flashback, a pre-Joker goes into this when his wife said "oh" after telling her no one laughed at his stand-up jokes, thinking she sees him as a failure. Then he starts breaking down and apologizing for venting his frustration on her while she's pregnant; she forgives him.
64	* TheDreaded: Batman tries to use his status as this in Gotham's criminal underworld to get a mobster to talk, but it turns out Joker out-Dreadeds him, and the guy refuses to talk.
65	* EasilyForgiven: Batman forgives [[spoiler:the Joker for all that he's done and asks if he can be reformed. Predictably, the Joker utterly refuses to repent.]]
66	* EvenEvilHasStandards: When Batman enters a gambling den to find out where the Joker is, he gets the following reply.
67	-->'''Boss''': If I knew anything, I'd tell ya. Honest. People in my uh... let's call it "line of work"-
68	-->'''Batman''': Criminals.
69	-->'''Boss''': Yeah. We may be scared of you, but we're ''terrified'' [[TheDreaded of him]].
70	* EvilHasABadSenseOfHumor: Averted. The Joker's brand of comedy is quite sophisticated.
71	* TheEvilPrince: Paris, being the heir to a criminal empire. Also, a EvilNephew to his uncle, Don Francesco.
72	* EvilSoundsRaspy: Joker, courtesy of Mark Hamill.
73	* FalseFriend: The two thugs trying to hire the young Joker into working with them pass themselves off as trustworthy confidants.
74	* FanDisservice:
75	** The elderly and overweight Jim Gordon is stripped naked by Joker's mooks.
76	** A close-up of Barbara Gordon's top unbuttoning after she is shot by The Joker and he sexually assaults and possibly rapes her.
77	* FieryRedhead: The redhead Barbara is considerably more hot-heated in this than most of her adaptations.
78	* FillerVillain: Paris serves as this, as his role is to give Batgirl a personal enemy and then be discarded.
79	* FoeRomanceSubtext:
80	** Normal for Batman-Joker but in this case, Batman seems to have this for Joker. When he comes to Arkham Asylum, he tells Commissioner Gordon that he's there "because he ''needs'' to be there" (a line not there in the original), furthermore the fact that [[spoiler:Batman has to be cajoled into a sexual encounter with Batgirl and then barely sees her after that, and he admits to Joker he's been thinking about him, makes the finale where Batman tries to reach out to Joker and then laughs with him]], even more weird and strange than the original did.
81	** Pretty much [[VillainousCrush Paris Franz's obsession for Batgirl]] is almost a reflection of Joker's obsession for Batman.
82	* ForbiddenFruit: A major contributor to Paris Franz's fixation on Batgirl.
83	* ForegoneConclusion: Anyone who's read the original comic knows how the story is going to play out.
84	* TheFreakshow: The Joker's crew includes a two-headed woman, a BrawnHilda, an incredibly hairy man that looks like an orangutan, some dwarves, etc.
85	* FromNobodyToNightmare: The Joker went from a poor, washed-up comedian to a member of a crime game and then to the most feared criminal in all of Gotham!
86	* GainaxEnding: After the climatic showdown between the Joker and Batman, resulting in the two of them laughing together, the film chooses to end on [[spoiler:Barbara becoming Oracle. We never see the cops coming into the carnival or if the Joker is even captured or not.]]
87	* GayBestFriend: Barbara's college friend Reese at the library.
88	* HateSink: Paris Franz; a [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain sexist]], backstabbing mobster. It's telling that the ''[[ComicBook/TheJoker Joker]]'' is portrayed as more sympathetic than he is.
89	* HeIsNotMyBoyfriend: As always, it foreshadows a RelationshipUpgrade.
90	-->'''Franz:''' Batgirl. I am impressed. Where's your overbearing boyfriend?
91	-->'''Batgirl:''' He's not my boyfriend.
92	-->'''Franz:''' [[VillainousCrush Then maybe I have a chance.]]
93	* HeroicWannabe: [[AdaptationalWimp Batgirl]] wants to be on par with Batman's skills, but the Dark Knight frequently reminds her that working as a superhero is gruesome work that can destroy the person you once were. [[spoiler:She decides that he was right and gives up her mantle after fighting crime becomes too much for her to handle.]]
94	* HorribleJudgeOfCharacter: The salesman trying to sell the circus figures that an ObviouslyEvil MonsterClown is a trustworthy consumer who wants to truly bring joy to children.
95	* HurricaneOfPuns: The Joker immediately after [[spoiler:paralyzing Barbara, rattling off quip after quip about her newfound physical disability]].
96	* InformedFlaw: Batgirl criticizes Batman about not taking her seriously, ignoring the fact that she came dangerously close to being killed and his concerns aren't completely unwarranted.
97	* InkSuitActor: Not directly, but one of the henchmen who shows up with The Joker [[spoiler:at the Gordons' apartment]], looks a lot like a younger Creator/MarkHamill.
98	* ItDoesntMeanAnything: [[spoiler:Barbara argues this after having sex with Batman, saying they can just go back to the way things were. Batman disagrees.]]
99	* IveComeTooFar: As in the comic, after Batman offers the Joker help in being rehabilitated, he decides that it's far too late for him to be saved.
100	* JokerJury: Commissioner Gordon is brought into a room designed to look like a courtroom. [[VisualPun The jury box is filled with kangaroo statues]] while the Joker acts as prosecutor.
101	* KangarooCourt: Not just a figurative one but ''literally'' too, as Joker's courtroom includes a jury of kangaroos; either giant dolls or actual stuffed kangaroos, it's hard to tell.
102	* KarmaHoudini: Before she gets shot, Barbara faces no legal trouble for ''beating up an innocent guy'' in ''broad daylight'' simply to blow off steam.
103	* KilledOffscreen:
104	** [[spoiler:Paris' uncle]] is found dead in his office.
105	** [[spoiler:Jeannie]] dies off-screen and we only hear the police officers tell this to the Joker to confirm it.
106	* LampshadeHanging:
107	** Batgirl gives Batman a disbelieving look when he tells her [[PunnyName Paris Franz's]] name. Batman, [[ComicallySerious as usual]], stoically tells her that he's not kidding.
108	** Additionally, Barbara's narration in the beginning [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] that we weren't expecting the movie to begin with a different story.
109	* LawOfDisproportionateResponse: In one scene, Barbara beats up a guy who's telling his needy girlfriend to give him some space, just to blow off some steam.
110	* LiteralMetaphor:
111	** When the Joker has Gordon brought to a mock trial and offers him the chance to pass judgement, Gordon says he would "throw the book" at the Joker. He's then given a literal book with "LAW" on the cover to throw.
112	** The court also includes literal [[KangarooCourt "kangaroos"]].
113	* MaleGaze: Batgirl's [[SensualSpandex outfit leaves very little to the imagination]]. [[spoiler:Her sex scene with Batman also has a close-up of her hips straddling his, along with a shot of her stripping down just as [[SexyDiscretionShot the camera pans skyward]].]]
114	* MeaningfulEcho: When the Joker invades his apartment and shoots Barbara, Jim picks up a pair of scissors in an attempt to stab him, prompting the Joker to taunt him over how that was "not by-the-book." Jim uses it later as an (indirect) ShutUpHannibal.
115	* MindRape: Jim Gordon enters the Joker's "haunted house ride" fighting for his life, but comes out a broken man.
116	* MonsterClown: The Joker. This is most evident in his NightmareFace moments.
117	* MsFanservice: Barbara Gordon is subjected to several MaleGaze shots of her curves, both in and out of costume.
118	* MummiesAtTheDinnerTable: Joker keeps the corpse of the carnival salesman as a sign decoration for anyone entering his base.
119	* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Barbara's reaction word for word the morning after [[spoiler:having sex with Batman]].
120	-->'''Barbara Gordon''': ''(looking in her bathroom mirror)'' Barbara Kathleen Gordon, what the hell have you done?
121	* MythologyGag:
122	** The numerous photos of the Joker on the Bat Computer allude to other incarnations of the character, including his time with Harley Quinn, "laughing fish" from the comic and [[WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries the animated series]], the factory hideout from ''[[WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyondReturnOfTheJoker Batman Beyond]]'', a shot of Joker during his "Brand X" commercial from [[Film/Batman1989 the Tim Burton film]], a shot of Jason Todd's dead body (a recreation of the cover to ''Batman'' #428, the issue of ''ComicBook/ADeathInTheFamily'' where Batman discovers Jason's body), a reproduction of [[https://66.media.tumblr.com/25af9804fd354ca9070c2cc89a94d200/tumblr_mt76ga35yo1s6umbyo1_1280.jpg his debut splash]] in ''Batman'' #1, a glimpse of [[http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr287/TannerMonroe/Batman%20TV%20Series/Batman%201966-1968%20TV%20series%20photos%20by%20character/The%20Joker%20and%20His%20Henchmen%20Batman%20TV%20Series%201966/Joker%20in%20a%20clown%20disguise%20by%20Cesar%20Romero%201966-68/BatTV-SC-S1E05-JokerClown-312.jpg Cesar Romero's Joker disguised as a clown]] from the 60s ''Series/{{Batman\|1966}}'' TV series, and an exact replication of the famous shot of [[http://cdni.condenast.co.uk/1280x1920/k_n/ledger_GL_darkknight_8jan08_rex_b.jpg Heath Ledger's Joker sitting calmly in a jail cell]] in ''Film/TheDarkKnight''.
123	** Also this:
124	--->'''Thug''': I swear to God, man! He ain't been around!
125	--->'''Batman''': [[Film/BatmanBegins Swear to me]].
126	--->'''Thug''': You! I swear to you!
127	** In this film and nowhere else, Barbara Gordon is given the middle name "Kathleen", which is often shortened to [[ComicBook/{{Batwoman}} "Kathy" or "Kate"]].
128	** The midgets dressed up like Batman resemble ComicBook/BatMite.
129	* {{Narcissist}}: Paris is described as such by Batman, and his belief that Batgirl has a thing for him shows that the description isn't wrong.
130	* NightmareFace: The Joker features some truly horrific facial expressions. To the point where it becomes a RunningGag.
131	* NightmareFetishist: The Joker purchases an amusement park ''because'' it's falling apart.
132	* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: Batgirl gives one to Perry Francesco in the prologue.
133	-->'''Batgirl:''' [[PunctuatedPounding Selfish! Vile! Piece of! Garbage!]]
134	* NoNameGiven: Even in the flashbacks, the man who would become the Joker is never referred to by his real name. His wife only refers to him by the usual affectionate nicknames that spouses use: "darling," "honey," "dear," etc. But at no time is even his first name uttered.
135	* NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer: Batman denies that he is making up Paris Franz's name. (On the other hand ''Paris'' is. His real name is Parry Francesco; "Paris Franz" is an alias.)
136	* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: After hearing Batman's offer of rehabilitation despite all he had done, Joker refused, believing that it was [[IveComeTooFar far too late]]. Joker's regretful, solemn tone indicated that he had a brief yet terrible moment of sane clarity, making him actually [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone regret his horrific crimes]] and decide that redemption was not possible for someone like him.
137	-->'''Joker''': I'm sorry but... no. No. It's far too late for that.
138	* PintSizedPowerhouse: The little people in Joker's gang are the penultimate mooks who give Batman a serious struggle.
139	* PlotTwist: When Batman arrives at the amusement park and sees what appears to be the Joker slumped in his throne and not moving. [[spoiler:You'd expect it to just be a mannequin with maybe a bomb strapped to it. What you get is a disguised carnival freak that attacks Batman.]]
140	* PosthumousCharacter: The two thugs in Joker's flashbacks have been long dead since he became Gotham's greatest villain. [[spoiler:Unfortunately, his late wife Jeannie died before his transformation too.]]
141	* PunnyName: "Paris Franz". (An alias for Perry Francesco.)
142	* RapeDiscretionShot: After shooting Barbara, the Joker unbuttons her blouse in a predatory manner just before the scene ends. She is later found by the police in a "state of undress."
143	%% This Rape Discretion Shot entry has been added per the Is This An Example? thread (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13543987200A54420100&page=104). Do not remove or alter without first consulting that thread or Discussion. Thank you.
144	* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: [[KnightInSourArmor Batman]] scolds [[WideEyedIdealist Batgirl]] for thinking being a vigilante is all fun-and-games since she hasn't "fallen into the abyss". Though Batgirl thinks he's being ungrateful until she has beaten Paris nearly to death.
145	-->'''Batman''': You let him play you. He thinks he knows you, like there's some kind of relationship going on. He led you like a lapdog.
146	-->'''Batgirl''': Bull, I knew what I was doing. I was on the hunt, same as you.
147	-->'''Batman''': No, you were trying to prove something. You let your ego cloud your judgment. You should've listened to me.
148	-->'''Batgirl''': I thought we were partners.
149	-->'''Batman''': We are. But we're not equals, not even close.
150	-->'''Batgirl''': You sanctimonious, self-righteous--!
151	-->'''Batman''': You're not in it like I am, Barbara. It's still a game for you, it's still a thrill. You haven't been taken to the edge yet.
152	-->'''Batgirl''': The edge of what?
153	-->'''Batman''': [[DespairEventHorizon The abyss]], the place where you [[StoppedCaring don't care anymore]]. Where all hope dies. ''(silence)'' We're done here. You're off the case.
154	* SceneryCensor: During the MindRape of Commissioner Gordon, the Joker has him stripped naked and has his goons put a dog collar and leash on him. There always seems to be something covering his crotch, though.
155	* SettingUpdate: From the 1980s to the 2010s.
156	* SexGod: Batgirl says that [[spoiler:Batman]] is "fantastic", while in the flashbacks, [[spoiler:Jeannie]] tells [[spoiler:her husband, the future Joker,]] that he's "good in the sack".
157	* SexyDiscretionShot: The camera pans away to a gargoyle when [[spoiler:Bruce and Barbara start having sex]].
158	* ShamefulStrip: Joker does this to both Barbara and Jim Gordon.
159	** Joker strips Barbara right after shooting her and takes several photos of her, naked and bloodied and later shows the pictures to Jim in an effort to break him. We never see the act itself, as the scene cuts away when Joker starts unbuttoning her top.
160	** Joker's minion's strip Gordon of all his clothes after he's kidnapped, and they collar him and force him to parade around [[CircusOfFear the carnival]] in the nude, seemingly just to degrade him.
161	* ShipperOnDeck: Barbara's gay best friend tells her in the library not to give on pursuing "yoga guy" (unaware that she is Batgirl and that her "yoga guy" love interest is really Batman).
162	* ShouldersUpNudity: The pictures of the naked Barbara that Joker splashes over the screen never display her breasts or genitals, showing her only from the shoulders up and from the legs down.
163	* SignsOfDisrepair: Batman stands next to a building with a neon sign that reads GOTHAM STORAGE. The malfunctioning lights on the sign make it read [[https://imgur.com/gallery/isQAV "GOTHAMS RAGE"]] or [[RuleOfSymbolism "Gotham's Rage"]].
164	* SirNotAppearingInThisTrailer: Paris Franz is never featured in any of the promotional trailers at all despite being a minor villain in the movie.
165	* SlapSlapKiss: Batman and Batgirl get into an emotional argument about how he treats her. Then Batgirl assaults him physically. She lands on top of him, after which they start to make out.
166	* SmugSnake: Paris believes himself to be a whole lot more competent than he actually is. He only barely escapes with his life after robbing his uncle.
167	* TheSociopath: Paris Franz is described by Batman as "a nasty mix of {{narcissist}} and sociopath" and he shows it in his creepy and unhealthy obsession with Batgirl.
168	* SparedByTheAdaptation: According to the credits, the mobster Batman talks to is Sal Maroni, who died in ''ComicBook/TheLongHalloween'', which took place long before the events of ''The Killing Joke.'' Then again, ''The Long Halloween'' wasn't published until years after ''The Killing Joke.''
169	%%* StalkerWithACrush: Paris Franz to Batgirl, mixed with VillainousCrush.
170	* StartOfDarkness: The {{flashback}}s are [[MultipleChoicePast one version]] of Joker's origin story.
171	* TheStinger: Barbara is shown [[spoiler:becoming Oracle.]]
172	* SuicidalOverconfidence: Batgirl gets extremely cocky while out on the field. To the point where Batman has to call her out on her recklessness.
173	* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome: After [[spoiler:the controversial sex scene]], Batman starts avoiding Barbara, likely feeling ashamed that he'd "taken advantage" of his best friend's daughter.
174	* TeacherStudentRomance: Barbara has a huge crush on [[spoiler:her mentor Batman/Bruce, and eventually they have sex on a rooftop]].
175	* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodSandwich: Barbara leaves a café without finishing her cup of coffee.
176	* TrashcanBonfire: While Batman is questioning some prostitutes about the Joker's whereabouts, some bums nearby are warming themselves around a fire burning in an oilcan.
177	%%* TwoActStructure
178	* UnreliableNarrator: The fact that it's [[MultipleChoicePast the Joker]] doing the flashing back throws many of the events of his past into question.
179	* VillainousBreakdown: You can hear the Joker's voice straining in confusion and frustration when he cries out "Why aren't you ''laughing''?!"
180	* VillainousCheekbones: The villainous gangster Paris has very prominent cheekbones.
181	* VillainousCrush: Paris Franz gained a ''massive'' interest in Batgirl after she almost arrested him while he was overseeing one of his criminal operations.
182	* VillainSong: During the climax Joker pulls out [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thEVDw9pRSk one]] to finish breaking [[spoiler:Gordon's mind complete with the images of a shot Barbara]].
183	* WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds: The Joker is revealed to be this. Throughout the entire film we're treated to flashbacks of what he remembers as his personal life, which involves his life slowly falling apart and ends with his StartOfDarkness.
184	* WriterOnBoard: Bruce Timm pushing the Bruce and Barbara ship. See RunningTheAsylum.
185

Context WesternAnimation / BatmanTheKillingJoke