How Does the Representation of Psychosis in Joker (2019) Provide Stereotypes That Affect Society's Attitude Toward Mental Illness?

This article examines how the 2019 film *Joker* represents psychosis and how such portrayals may reinforce harmful stereotypes that contribute to societal stigma around mental health. Through a textual analysis supported by research in film studies, psychiatry, and psychology, the article highlights how *Joker* employs visual, auditory, and narrative signifiers that associate psychosis with violence, social incompetence, and otherness, despite scientific evidence showing no direct link between psychosis and criminality. The discussion incorporates Cultivation Theory and Social Learning Theory to explain how repeated media portrayals can shape public perceptions, often overshadowing the real social and economic factors influencing behavior. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for filmmakers to balance creative expression with responsible representation to avoid perpetuating stigma and misinforming audiences about mental illness.