MOVIE REVIEW: Joker: Folie à Deux – Shared Madness on Screen

When Joker first hit theaters, it was a cultural phenomenon. Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Arthur Fleck, a troubled man teetering on the edge of madness, captivated audiences and sparked conversations about mental health and societal neglect.

Directed by Todd Phillips, it masterfully depicted how a person struggling at the fringes of society could spiral into chaos, a tragedy that felt both deeply personal and disturbingly reflective of the world around us. Phoenix's performance earned him an Academy Award, and so the announcement of a sequel felt inevitable.

Now we have Joker: Folie à Deux, with Phoenix reprising his role under Phillips' direction. This time, the movie introduces the magnetic talents of Lady Gaga as Lee Quinn, known in comic lore as Harley Quinn. The title Folie à Deux-French for "shared madness"-sets the tone, hinting at the psychological bond between Arthur and Lee as they both navigate the twisted delusions that tie them together.

While Joker was critically acclaimed, Folie à Deux has garnered a much more divisive response. Some see it as Phillips addressing critiques of the first film, but personally, I didn't find that angle resonating with me. What stood out more were the compelling moments of Arthur's continued descent into isolation and delusion, with Gaga's Lee Quinn occasionally pulling him back into moments of twisted clarity. However, I do agree with some critics who felt that Lady Gaga's talents were underutilized. Despite her compelling presence, her character sometimes feels like an afterthought rather than the co-lead she could have been.

The plot follows Arthur as he faces trial for his actions from the first film, becoming a symbol of rebellion for Gotham's downtrodden. Enter Lee Quinn, who manipulates Arthur to further the chaotic cause that has grown around him in the two years since his original crimes. Their relationship is charged, but it's also clear that Lee's interest in Arthur is less about him and more about what he represents-a symbol of anarchy in a crumbling city.

One of the most surprising elements of Folie à Deux is that it's a musical. The film features several musical numbers, where the leads sing hits from a bygone era. While these sequences are visually striking, they often don't fully showcase Gaga's vocal abilities. That said, the songs do serve their purpose in expressing the emotional weight of certain scenes, particularly in portraying the delusional world the two characters inhabit. Some of the more surreal musical numbers powerfully illustrate the shared madness between Arthur and Lee, giving the film a distinct, operatic feel.

Despite the Batman lore lurking in the background, Folie à Deux largely sidesteps its connection to the broader DC universe. Harvey Dent's appearance as the prosecutor in Arthur's trial is notable, but otherwise, Gotham's descent into chaos feels separate from the world of caped crusaders. This isn't a superhero movie-it's a psychological drama with brief flashes of comic book elements.

At its core, the message of Folie à Deux feels as bleak as its predecessor. Arthur Fleck remains an abandoned figure, shunned by society despite his fleeting connection with Lee. The world around him hasn't changed-if anything, it's grown more chaotic, and Arthur's path remains a tragic one.

One particularly heartbreaking moment occurs during Arthur's trial, where he cross-examines his former coworker, Gary Puddles, a dwarf who shared a few small but impactful scenes in the original film. Their exchange is raw and painful, offering a glimpse of Arthur's lingering humanity in a world that has long since stopped caring.

The film doesn't offer a hopeful ending. Gotham is descending further into madness, much like it was in the first Joker, and Arthur remains trapped in his own mental prison, even as the world around him crumbles.

Ultimately, Joker: Folie à Deux isn't a film for everyone. It's strange, dark, and at times, frustrating. But if you appreciated the psychological depth of the first film, you'll likely find this follow-up intriguing-if a bit uneven.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars. If you liked the first movie I think you'll like this one okay.