Joker: Folie à Deux is the sequel to the 2019 hit Joker, but the movie has a different approach from what fans might expect. Instead of continuing Arthur Fleck’s rise as the infamous Joker, the film explores more of his backstory and leaves the audience questioning who Arthur really is. Many fans of the first movie, which focused on Arthur’s spiral into madness, have mixed feelings about this change since the sequel is more focused about his struggle with his own sense of self rather than a narrative story overall.
Joaquin Phoenix delivers an outstanding performance in his reprisal of Arthur Fleck. Phoenix brings out the character of Arthur’s deep mental struggles and confusion about his identity. While the original film showed Arthur becoming the Joker, Folie à Deux makes you question whether he was meant to be Joker at all. Phoenix played Joker’s inner struggles perfectly, and his acting skills are one of the movie’s strongest points.
Joining him is Lady Gaga as “Lee,” also known as Harley Quinn. Gaga delivers a strong performance filled with many emotions and intensity. However, her character isn’t as deeply explored as other portrayals as Margot Robbie’s appearance in other films. The chemistry between Gaga and Phoenix is powerful, but the film doesn’t go in depth with their relationship as it could have, leaving the audience with a broad perspective.
One of the most noticeable differences in Folie à Deux is the introduction of musical numbers, which is a big change from the dark tones in the original movie. These musical scenes seem to reflect on Arthur’s mental state, but they also slow down the film’s pace. While Gaga’s musical talent shines in these moments, the songs are out of place in a movie that was originally based on reality. Some viewers might enjoy the creativity of adding singing, but others may find the musical numbers quite disruptive to the scene.
The film dives deep into themes of mental health, the Joker’s identity and the idea of shared madness. Arthur is constantly battling with his sense of self, unsure if he’s truly meant to be the Joker,or if someone else deserves to take on that role more. This exploration of Joker’s identity adds a new layer to the character’s story and keeps the audience searching for who the “real” Joker might be. It’s an interesting twist that plays with the idea that the Joker’s origins are never clear.
Visually, Folie à Deux is a beautiful movie. Like the first film, it has a dark moody atmosphere that reflects Arthur’s troubled mind. The set design, costumes and lighting all work together to create a world that feels chaotic and unsettling, much like Arthur’s mental state. The use of color and shadow also helps to highlight important moments in the story, adding to the film’s overall visual impact.
Despite its strengths, the movie has some issues with pacing. The musical numbers and slower, more introspective scenes tend to drag down the momentum. Fans who loved the tense, fast paced energy of the first movie might find this sequel too slow at times. While the slower moments are meant to give more insight into Arthur’s character, they don’t always push the story forward, and this makes the film feel longer than it really is.
Adding onto Arthur’s story, the film gives hints at a more broad connection to the Batman universe, including a mention of Harvey Dent. While these references are interesting, they don’t feel like a major part of the film’s plot and seem more of a setup to create future movies. This viewer’s feeling like Folie à Deux is a larger puzzle rather than a story on its own.
Overall, Joker: Folie à Deux is a bold and risky sequel. It takes a different approach from the original film by focusing more on Arthur’s internal struggle rather than his rise to power. Joaquin Phoenix brings another outstanding performance, and Gaga brings a fresh perspective to the film as Lee. However, the slow pacing, underdeveloped characters and surprising musical numbers leave fans disappointed.
For those who enjoy movies that are thought provoking and don’t mind a slower pace, Folie à Deux provides a unique musical experience. However, for fans hoping for more of the intense, gritty feel of the original Joker, this sequel might not live up to expectations. While it’s not as good as the first movie, Folie à Deux adds a new and interesting twist to Arthur Fleck’s story and the Joker’s legend, and remains a worthwhile watch.
