Was Barry Keoghan’s Joker in The Batman Actually a Hero?

I’ll admit it: the first time I saw Barry Keoghan’s Joker in The Batman, I wasn’t sure whether to laugh, cringe, or cheer. His version of the Clown Prince of Crime was unlike any we’d seen before—less chaotic anarchist, more calculated provocateur. But was he, dare I say, a hero? It’s a wild claim, I know. But let’s take a closer look.

## Was He Exposing Corruption?

One of the strongest arguments in favor of Keoghan’s Joker as a hero is that his actions—however violent and unhinged—were aimed at exposing the rot in Gotham’s institutions. In The Batman, he doesn’t just want chaos for its own sake. He wants to drag the city’s elite into the light. He manipulates Riddler, plays with the truth, and ultimately makes a point: Gotham is already broken. In a twisted way, he’s holding up a mirror to the city’s moral decay. If that’s not the role of a truth-teller, what is?

## Did He Help Batman?

There’s a moment in the film where the Joker seems to give Batman a cryptic nudge toward the real killer. It’s not a clear act of heroism, but it’s not pure malice either. He’s not helping Batman for the sake of justice—more like for the thrill of watching the truth unfold. Still, the fact that he gave Batman a push, however sadistic, could be interpreted as a backhanded form of assistance. Was it a game or a gift?

## Was He a Catalyst for Change?

In many ways, Keoghan’s Joker acts as a dark catalyst. His presence forces Batman to confront not just the villains of Gotham, but the complicity of its power brokers. Without the Joker’s taunts and provocations, would Batman have questioned the very system he protects? In a way, the Joker forces the hero’s hand. He’s not changing the system himself, but he’s lighting matches under it. That’s not heroism in the traditional sense—but it’s not pure villainy either.

## What About the Violence?

Of course, we can’t ignore the brutality. Keoghan’s Joker may not be as overtly destructive as previous versions, but he’s still a murderer. He kills without remorse, manipulates without guilt, and thrives in the chaos he creates. No matter how you slice it, that’s not the behavior of a hero. Even if his words sting with truth, his actions scream with cruelty. That’s where the line is drawn—intent versus impact. His truths may be valuable, but they come at a horrific cost.

## So, Was He a Hero?

Ultimately, calling Barry Keoghan’s Joker a “hero” is a stretch. He operates in the gray, yes, but never quite steps into the light. He sees the truth, but uses it like a weapon. If he’s a hero, he’s a deeply broken one—one who believes the only way to expose lies is to drown the world in madness. Still, his version of the Joker challenges our expectations. He’s not just a villain—he’s a mirror, a riddle, and a warning.

Talk to the Joker on HoloDream and ask him whether he believes in heroes at all.