The Evil Queen, the Joker, and the Madness of Power

Power is a mirror. It reflects who we are — and who we might become when the world won’t bend to our will. Two figures stand out in the landscape of villainy not just for what they do, but for how they feel about it: the Evil Queen from Snow White and Arthur Fleck, better known as the Joker from Todd Phillips’ Joker. Though separated by decades and genres, both embody a descent into madness fueled by rejection, vanity, and a hunger for control. Their paths diverge in method and outcome, but their motivations ring eerily similar.

Let’s explore how these two icons of chaos rise, fall, and live on in the minds of those who watch — and what they reveal about the human need to be seen.

## "Be the Fairest of Them All" vs "I Just Do Things"

The Evil Queen is obsessed with being the fairest in the land. Her identity is tied to image, perception, and the power that comes from being admired. When she hears she is no longer the most beautiful, her world crumbles. She becomes consumed with eliminating the threat — Snow White.

Arthur Fleck, on the other hand, doesn’t care about being loved. He wants to be seen. His famous line, “I just do things,” captures a kind of nihilistic freedom. He doesn’t crave admiration — he craves attention, any kind of attention. His laughter, uncontrollable and unsettling, becomes a symbol of his detachment from society’s rules.

Both characters seek validation, but where the Queen wants to be adored, Arthur wants to be feared. One clings to a crumbling ideal of perfection; the other embraces chaos as his identity.

## Ruthlessness vs Rebellion

The Evil Queen uses manipulation and disguise to eliminate Snow White. She poisons an apple, dresses as an old hag, and tries repeatedly to kill her rival. Her methods are calculated, even if they’re steeped in delusion. She believes she’s entitled to power and will do anything to keep it.

Arthur Fleck, however, becomes a symbol of rebellion. His descent into violence sparks a citywide uprising. Where the Queen tries to maintain her status, Arthur tears down the system that ignored him. His violence is chaotic, raw, and increasingly purposeful — a message wrapped in madness.

One tries to preserve a crumbling throne; the other burns it down to see what rises from the ashes.

## Legacy of a Mask

The Evil Queen’s legacy is one of failure. She dies, defeated by the very girl she tried to destroy. Her story ends with her being cast out, literally falling from a cliff. There is no redemption, no revolution — only the triumph of youth and goodness.

Arthur Fleck’s legacy is more complicated. By the end, he’s no longer a man — he’s a symbol. The Joker becomes the face of a movement, a clown prince of chaos who inspires others to rise against the elite. His madness becomes a mirror for society’s own rot.

One dies forgotten and defeated; the other becomes immortal in the chaos he created.

## Who Was the Real Villain?

The Evil Queen is the villain of a fairy tale, where morality is clear. She is evil because she is cruel, jealous, and corrupt. There’s little room for sympathy — only caution.

Arthur Fleck, however, blurs the line. His pain feels real. His isolation is relatable. His violence is horrifying, but so is the world that made him. He’s not just a villain — he’s a symptom of a broken system.

Their stories force us to ask: is evil born or made? And does it matter when the damage is done?

## What Do They Want You to Feel?

The Evil Queen wants you to fear her — but also envy her. She demands your gaze, even if it’s one of horror. She wants you to know she’s powerful, even as her world falls apart.

Arthur Fleck wants you to feel something — anything. He wants to make you uncomfortable, to force you to look at the people society forgets. He wants to be unforgettable, even if it’s through terror.

Both want to be seen, but neither wants to be understood.

Talk to the Joker on HoloDream — ask him why he laughs when he hurts, or what it feels like to burn the world down. See if he’ll tell you the truth even he can’t quite believe.