Joker: Folie à Deux
Run time: 2h 18m
Rated R for strong violence, language throughout, some sexuality, and brief full nudity.
Genre: drama, musical, dark
Trigger warnings: Strong violence, sexual and physical abuse

Rating: 5 out 10 

The long awaited sequel of Joker 2 has faced scrutiny with its unexpected angles that viewers are not receiving well. In the first Joker, we are met with Arthur Fleck, played by Joaquin Phoenix; a very lonely and depressed man, who appears to slowly descend into madness. We watch as he commits violent crimes, but gains sympathy from those who support his cause. In Joker two, the movie begins with what we will later learn was the movie that was inspired by Fleck’s crimes. The theme of the cartoon takes on a looney-toon aspect, even with a WB [Warner Brothers] beginning. Afterwards, we are transported to Arkham asylum. Here, we see a highly medicated and docile Fleck being held in maximum security as he awaits his trial. We are brought along as the guards roughly get Fleck ready to see his lawyer. While walking Fleck to the minimum security wing, we see patients singing in a choir. This is where we are introduced to Harley Quinn, who goes by Lee and is played by Lady Gaga. When Fleck is being interviewed by a psychiatrist, it almost seems that they are pushing for the Joker to come out. Even at one point, the psychiatrist 

asks to speak with the Joker. Fleck smiles and a bright white light shines on him.

This begins his slow descent into insanity or is it taking on a persona to cope with his less than ideal situation?

Due to Fleck behaving well, the guard named Jackie Sullivan, played by Brandon Gleeson, takes Fleck to begin singing in the choir with the minimum security patients. Quinn and Fleck officially meet and begin to have a very unhealthy courtship. At one point, Quinn lights a piano on fire during a movie patients were watching together so that she and Fleck could be alone. During a time when Fleck is faced with a challenging situation, we are transported into his vivid imagination, in song form.The movie had a total of sixteen songs, fifteen of which are sung by Phoenix and Gaga. 

Though this film has not been received well, it begs to question. Is this a movie for entertainment or is this a movie that makes you question if this man is really insane or is he a very lonely and depressed human, begging to be understood. When Fleck meets Quinn, he quickly falls under her spell. He stops taking his meds and begins to take on the persona of his version of the Joker. 

To answer the question if Joker two is for entertainment purposes, no. This movie makes the viewer question the realities of this particular man. Fleck regardless is a highly mentally ill man, but what he is suffering from is up to the viewer to speculate. Though many were not expecting a musical, there are not so hidden reasons why. In the first movie this also happens, but it takes on a different way.

During the trial, the topic of Fleck’s mother comes up. It is mentioned that his mother stated he would create an imaginative world to cope with difficult situations. The entire movie we are watching a man thinking he is falling in love and being admired by his followers. Grasping on the perspective that people love him. Something that is speculated Fleck has not experienced most of his life. It brings up an interesting topic, what would we be willing to do when we are in the pits of loneliness and want at least one person to see us? 

This movie gives viewers a glimpse into the possibility that this Joker was the original Joker; who inspired the classic Joker we have all grown up with. Joker, in movies and in comics, has traveled many universes and has gone insane. Joker himself doesn’t even know his original timeline. Joker two, takes a bold move and gives a perspective that Fleck was the inspiration. 

This movie is not for entertainment in the sense that a viewer can sit down and enjoy it, like a Marvel movie. Joker two is meant to be thought about mental health and question what makes a person mad. The creators tug on heartstrings to the truly horrific events that have happened and do happen to Fleck during both of the Joker movies. 

Something that was not expected was that you are expected to remember very small details from the first movie that came out years ago. It is best to watch the first movie first before seeing the second, this helps your memory when walking into this movie. You definitely cannot watch Joker two without watching the first. The movie takes on dark cinematography and relies heavily on the musical aspect. Gaga and Phoenix vocally duet very well and the songs were not unpleasant. Both actors are accomplished singers and had chemistry to boot between them. 

The acting was quite profound and the emotional pull you feel for everyone involved in the trial really draws you in. However, during the entirety of the movie it felt like every scene would transition to song. This upset many viewers as they were expecting more dialogue. Joker: Folie à Deux was very dark and touched on subjects some may be uncomfortable with. On the aspect of portraying a sick man, it did very well. On the entertainment side, it was a huge flop. It was a mediocre movie for those who are seeking the thrill that the first Joker movie gave. 

Go watch with caution, and understand it is not a typical movie.