In 2019, Todd Phillips’ “Joker” took the world by storm, telling the story of one of the most famous villains in pop culture. Focusing on his struggles with mental health, it dove into how Arthur Fletch, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, eventually becomes the laughing psychopath we know as the Joker. Rated an 8.4 on IMDb, the film won countless nominations and awards, including Joaquin Phoenix’s first Academy Award for Best Actor in 2020. On October 4th, 2024, a sequel was released. “Joker: Folie à Deux” explores Arthur Fletch’s struggles with his mental health as he faces trial.
A key difference from the prequel is how “Joker: Folie à Deux” expresses Fletch’s battles with music. At several points throughout the film, the audience sees Fletch’s inner thoughts as mini-musicals inside his head. As creative as the idea is, the musical theme doesn’t serve much of a purpose. It feels like a loss, considering the songs could’ve been used to tell a deeper story. Furthermore, despite the casting of Lady Gaga as Lee Quinzel, Fleck’s newest lover/biggest fan, the film doesn’t utilize her talents to their fullest potential.
In addition to the new theme, the movie diverges from the original film’s unexpectedness, instead focusing on the results of Joker’s actions and clearing up the picture of what really happened. However, this works against the viewer’s desires, as it lacks the madness fondly associated with the Joker. In turn, the film is predictable and dull. Its themes regarding music lose their meaning as the movie goes on, almost making it feel as if it’s being dragged on.
What saves the film is the excellent portrayal of the characters. Just as we saw with Joaquin Phoenix’s incredible performance in 2019, his acting in the 2024 film is nothing short of spectacular. From the sinister laugh to the sorrow and gloom of Fleck, Phoenix captures every emotion meticulously. Furthermore, the actor has allegedly gone to lengths to study the character, from understanding the Joker’s mental status to perfecting the clown makeup, all of which contribute to his masterful performance.
Considering its faults, it makes sense that the sequel performed worse than the original. While individual talent shines, it fails to deliver what is expected of the Joker. This might be attributed to Todd Phillips’ vision for the movie, and allegedly wanting “nothing to do with DC,” according to an interview from “Variety” with an inside worker. Furthermore, in an interview with “The Hollywood Reporter,” he announced that he had no plans for a third movie, leaving Joker’s death, Quinzel’s character, and Fleck’s legacy in Gotham in the dust. It’s unfortunate that the unresolved elements of this universe and its connection to Batman will never be explored, leaving a bitter aftertaste for fans.
