Joker: Folie à Deux
Joker: Folie à Deux
Arthur Fleck, now incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital, who encounters Harleen Quinzel, a fellow patient who becomes dangerously obsessed with his Joker persona. Their shared psychosis fuels a destructive and increasingly chaotic relationship, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. The film delves deeper into Arthur's mental state, exploring the complexities of his condition and the enduring power of his iconic villainous persona.
Desmond Dale reviewedJanuary 24, 2025
Man, I came in with such low expectations that I actually ended up liking the film overall, though obviously it has some big glaring problems as well. I guess I just don't understand what people thought the movie would be when they pictured a Joker musical in their heads. The singing is definitely flat and tonally off but I think that's what makes it more everyman and human. It's certainly a bit long and the pacing feels a little sluggish at times but Phoenix and Gaga carry the film showcasing some chemistry and full investment into their characters.
I wish there were more original songs but the covers are also in line with the everyman approach to the musical pieces. This isn't Moulin Rouge or Les Mis but rather it's something completely stripped down, bare bones and depressive. The musical pieces offer a glimpse into the fractured psyche of the protagonist and as such sometimes the transitions got a little messy and opaque but that seems largely by design
I suspect the animated prologue and expectations from the first film are what sent people off on such a hate train for this film. It's also an incredibly easy film to turn into a meme or shit on with some clever puns for likes but I really don't think the hate is warranted. I think they managed to repudiate rather than embolden the incel fan base of the prior film. I enjoyed this film more than the first also because it didn't feel like a hackneyed reskin of King of Comedy. Sure, there's very little that's original, but Joker 2 doesn't feel so tethered to its influences.