Joker: Folie à Deux
- By AC REMLER
Audiences are preparing to return to Gotham City this month with Joker: Folie à Deux. This highly anticipated sequel to 2019’s Joker, finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham State Hospital two years after the events of the first movie. Joaquin Phoenix (Gladiator) reprises his Oscar-winning role as the troubled clown-turned-villain, delivering another powerful performance that embodies the Joker’s eccentricities and descent into madness.
The film introduces a new dimension to Arthur’s character as he grapples with his dual identity while developing a romantic relationship with fellow inmate Lee Quinzel, portrayed by Lady Gaga (A Star is Born). Gaga’s character is a reimagining of Harley Quinn, the Joker’s infamous partner in crime. She brings a manipulative and cunning presence to the role—a Lady McBeth figure to the Joker.
Director Todd Phillips takes a bold approach with this sequel, incorporating traditional storytelling with vibrant musical sequences to explore the themes of love and madness. The film features at least 15 cover songs, with well-known tracks being reinterpreted throughout. In one standout scene, Quinzel performs “What the World Needs Now Is Love” on the piano with stunning vocals, while the Joker tap dances along. Incidentally, Lady Gaga has released a companion album to the film called Harlequin that includes two songs titled “The Joker” and “Folie à Deux.”
The narrative unfolds across two primary settings: Arkham Asylum, where Fleck endures his imprisonment and interacts with other inmates, and a central courtroom, where his mental state is put on trial. This structure gives us a deeper exploration of Arthur’s psyche and the consequences of his actions from the first film.
Joker: Folie à Deux premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2024, and is scheduled for a wide release on October 4, 2024. The film has already generated significant buzz, with early reviews praising Phoenix’s performance as “fantastic,” “chilling,” and “unexpectedly moving.”
With its unique blend of psychological drama and musical elements, coupled with the star power of Phoenix and Gaga, Joker: Folie à Deux is poised for box office gold, and red… and green… and purple. Remember Joker became a massive blockbuster with $1 billion at the global box office–the first R-rated film to pass the billion-dollar mark–and earned 11 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. We hope audiences will likewise embrace this challenging and unconventional take on one of comic book history’s most infamous villains.
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