The 'Joker Sign Slam' meme originates from a scene in the 2019 film 'Joker,' starring Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck. In the scene, Fleck is working as a sign-twirling clown when a group of teenagers steals his sign and proceeds to brutally smash it against his face in an alleyway. This moment serves as a tragic turning point for the character's descent into madness, but on the internet, it has been repurposed as a relatable symbol for being blindsided by life's unexpected hardships. It is commonly used to depict situations where a person’s positive attitude or hard work is suddenly met with a painful reality check, an overwhelming responsibility, or a sudden stroke of bad luck.