While there were elements of Joker: Folie à Deux that could’ve constructed a good movie to follow up the successful Arthur Fleck debut including the musical numbers, it didn’t come together in any form that I enjoyed.
Joker: Folie à Deux finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that’s always been inside him.
Directed by Todd Phillips, attempted a daring blend of psychological drama and musical theater—a combination that promised to be as audacious as it is unexpected. However, what unfolds is a mix of artistic ambition and narrative missteps that makes for a polarizing experience.
From the outset, Joker: Folie à Deux sets itself apart by leaning heavily into its musical elements—something unique in the world of comic book films. With Arthur Fleck’s story now intertwined with music, we are introduced to an Arkham Asylum that feels more akin to a Broadway stage than a psychiatric facility. However, while these musical interludes showcase Joaquin Phoenix‘s versatility and Lady Gaga‘s talent, they often come across as jarring disruptions rather than cohesive storytelling devices. While visually stunning, Joker: Folie à Deux scenes often feel like self-contained vignettes disconnected from the overarching plot.
I respect the attempt to craft a unique tale from Phillips, the willingness to push boundaries and defy genre conventions only took away from the possibly of making a sequel that would live up to the original film. The musical sequences overshadowed any attempt to craft a well told story—leaving the story feeling incomplete rather than climactic.
Joker: Folie à Deux will always standout as an ambitious attempt at innovation within superhero storytelling even if it didn’t land as we had hoped. The psychological musical drama just didn’t land and gonna be a strong pass on a rewatch for me.
Folie à Deux was directed by Todd Phillips from a screenplay co-written with Scott Silver. The film is loosely based on DC Comics characters, and stars Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as the Joker with Lady Gaga joining the cast as his love interest Harley Quinn. Zazie Beetz also reprises her role as Sophie Dumond from the previous film, while Brendan Gleeson as Jackie Sullivan, Catherine Keener as Maryanne Stewart, Harry Lawtey as Harvey Dent, and Steve Coogan as Paddy Meyers also join the cast.
Joker: Folie à Deux hit theaters on October 4, 2024 and is currently showing.
