‘Joker: Folie À Deux‘ fails to capture the psychological despair of the original film turning it into a musical mish-mash of meh.
Having screened at the Orange County Film Society, ‘Joker: Folie À Deux‘ filled me with trepidation and yet still had me intrigued, especially after the visceral impact of the original film. The first ‘Joker‘ was a haunting exploration of mental illness, societal neglect, and the emergence of a dark antihero, leaving an indelible mark on viewers. However, what unfolded in this sequel felt more like a musical extravaganza featuring Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga) than a genuine continuation of the Joker’s complex narrative. The tonal 
shift is jarring and raises questions about who the intended audience truly is.
In this sequel, directed by Todd Phillips, we find Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) institutionalized in Arkham, grappling with his dual identity. Instead of diving deeper into the harrowing aspects of his character, the film transforms into a showcase for Lady Gaga’s musical talents. While Phoenix is fantastic in the limited scenes he’s given, his performance often feels sidelined in favor of Gaga’s vocal showpieces. She is undeniably “performing” but this film appears to prioritize her star power over a cohesive story.
Phillips aimed to “swing for the fences,” as he stated, hoping to create something as “crazy and fearless” as the original. Yet in doing so, he strikes out in the bottom of the 9th with bases loaded and being down by three. The exploration of identity gets lost amid musical numbers that feel out of place in a narrative that previously thrived on its raw and gritty storytelling. Instead of the profound psychological exploration we craved, we’re served a dish of glitz that lacks the depth that made the first ‘Joker‘ so impactful.
Watching ‘Joker: Folie À Deux‘ evokes a sense of disappointment, as the film shares more in common with the failed early-90s series ‘Cop Rocks,’ which tried—and failed—to marry a police procedural with musical elements. Both end up feeling disjointed and ultimately unfulfilling. The ambitious attempt to blend genres results in a film that feels like it’s trying to do too much without grounding itself in the characters we initially fell in love with.
It’s frustrating to witness such potential squandered. There are moments of brilliance within the film, particularly when Phoenix is allowed to shine, but these instances are overshadowed by the overwhelming focus on spectacle. The deeper connections and emotional resonance of the first film seem lost in a swirl of flashy performances and musical interludes.
The next screening through the the Orange County Film Society, will ‘We Live in Time‘ at the newly renovated Lido Theater on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, in Newport Beach, CA. Leading up to the 25th Anniversary of the Newport Beach Film Festival running from October 17 through 24, 2024.
‘Joker: Folie À Deux‘ comes to theaters on Friday, October 4, 2024. If you are a comic book fan or a fan of the original film, wait until it streams on Max.
Summary
The original ‘Joker‘ film to keep us entertained, as ‘Joker: Folie À Deux‘ quickly proves to be forgettable. For fans of the original, this sequel may feel like a missed opportunity—one that could have deepened the story of Arthur Fleck instead of leaving us with a dimly coloredl but shallow portrayal of the Joker’s world. The haunting, character-driven narrative that defined the first film has been replaced by a superficial spectacle, leaving many of us longing for the profound exploration we had hoped for.
This movie broke my heart! I was so looking forward to the development of the Joker and his meeting of Ms Quinn. Instead I got a semi entertaining musical mind F which danced at the border of something interesting about to happen which sadly, never did. Spoiler to save your agony- Harley isn’t a bad ass, the Joker never becomes a villain, she breaks up with him when he gives up and he then dies at the end. Don’t waste your money or your time on this flick.