Review of 'Joker: Folie A Deux'

In this dark, surreal sequel to Joker Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is institutionalized in Arkham State Hospital awaiting trial for his crimes. He finds himself attracted to fellow inmate Harleen “Lee” Quinzel (Lady Gaga) who he meets in a music class. She idealizes Joker including his televised murder of Murray Franklin, a feeling shared by the Joker's many fans who loudly protest outside his trial. Encouraging Fleck to embrace the Joker side of his personality the two fantasize escaping and their future. As their relationship deepens, Fleck decides to represent himself in court, dismissing his council and chaos reigns as he appears as the Joker…

This is a disturbing film quite different from the previous and wildly different from previous Batman films in which the character features. This is more of a psychological study of a man trying to come to terms with a side of his personality that craves chaos and that he recognizes as being evil and sinister. The flames are fanned after being introduced to Harleen (who is not entirely what she seems) with reality and fantasy blurring as they frequently break out into song which is, to say the least, quite a bit of a shock. There are long sequences of events that take place then suddenly stop, taking us back to earlier as we realize they were not reality. The end of the film, however, is quite a shock to the system (particularly the last few minutes) and I think will surprise most viewers. Ultimately Fleck makes a decision that changes everything but there is a price to pay.

Joaquin Phoenix is great as the brooding Fleck/Joker adding just the right amount of ambiguity to the sinister dual nature of his character but yet also able to sing and dance (as you do). Lady Gaga shows her acting chops as the truly disturbing Harleen who will stop at nothing to achieve her selfish desires. Her character is more disturbed than Fleck as we see her twisting reality to suit her purpose…nothing more, nothing less than true chaos. Of course, we are treated here to her wonderful voice which works well with Phoenix's.

This is quite an unnecessarily long film with extended stretches where not a lot happens or we are treated to long, lingering shots of characters lost in their thoughts staring listlessly out a window or some-such. The length seems to be an excuse to show more musical numbers that do not seem to further the plot very much but are purely there at the whim of the filmmaker. This is more of a character study than it is a narrative, taking time for us to fully absorb the characters though to be honest we learn little of their true motivations or feelings.

Fans will be disappointed that there is not a huge amount of action here though there is some truly brutal violence continuing on from what was seen in the first film. “Joker: Folie A Deux” is a disturbing and LONG study of identity, manipulation, and delusion. It is most definitely NOT what most would expect in a super-hero (related) film and will be a disappointment to many following the hugely popular first film.

“Folie à deux”? “Shared psychosis”.

Rating: “It is OK but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2025-07-26

Directed by: Todd Phillips

Studio: Warner Bros.

Year: 2024

Length: 138 minutes

Genre: Action/Adventure

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11315808/

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• Joker (2019)