The highly anticipated sequel to Joker (2019) is as deranged and exciting as you would have hoped. By incorporating song and dance in the vein of a jukebox musical, filmmaker Todd Philips (also known for The Hangover trilogy) gives Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker a different kind of strut, one that’s more meditative and less violent than what would be expected from the sequel to one of the highest-grossing R-rated movies of all time. Nothing will compare to the original 2019 phenomenon, but Joker: Folie à Deux does an exceptional job at following up with an imaginative comic book film unlike any other.
Joker: Folie à Deux picks the story up with Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital. He lives a repetitive life as he struggles with his infamous dual identity as “The Joker,” constantly being teased by fellow patients to make them laugh. Everything changes for Arthur when he meets his true love, Harleen “Lee” Quinzel (Lady Gaga). The two become infatuated with each other after meeting in a singing class at Arkham. Music and singing become a huge part of their love language as Arthur goes on trial for the murders he committed (as seen in the first film), which is put on a live television broadcast for the whole world to see.
While on trial, Arthur is reunited with familiar faces like Gary Puddles (Leigh Gill), who testifies to what he was like before he became the Joker. The overall testimony is persuasive and sincere to Arthur’s previous pathetic life, which ironically paints him in a terrible light that will almost certainly lead to him being sentenced for murder. As the “Trial of the century” continues, Joker’s supporters gather in the thousands outside the Gotham City courthouse. Whatever happens, it’s made clear that Joker’s influence will live on, having impacted so many everyday Gotham citizens who are disillusioned by society. What ensues is a musical misadventure that walks the line between reality and fantasy.
Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Opening with a classic Looney Tunes-inspired animated sequence, Arthur faces off with his shadow, an alternate personality that takes center stage as he sings Tom Jones‘ “What the World Needs Now Is Love” on his own Murray Franklin-type show. It’s a fantastic opening that foreshadows the plot’s main focus on Joker’s split personality. Writer-director Todd Phillips doesn’t try to one-up the first Joker but rather tries to expand the audience’s understanding of Arthur’s mental state, offering a closer, more personal look at the protagonist. It sidelines the thrills of the first movie for musical numbers that express Joker and Harley’s emotions beyond what words would have been able to communicate. It’s a much-welcomed surprise to see a studio franchise film, based on DC Comics no less, care so little for genre conventions.
Apart from focusing on a singular hefty theme, the musical numbers in Joker: Folie à Deux are well-performed and incredibly entertaining. Most of them fit into the narrative structure of Todd Phillips’ script, which is once again co-written by Scott Silver (The Fighter, 8 Mile). Everything moves along at a smooth pace, and the two-plus hour runtime is rarely felt. Seeing Joker and Harley Quinn belting out their hearts is not something that DC fans would have ever expected to see in an adaptation like this. However, it’s a joy to watch this absurd take on the iconic DC villains, especially when the story takes a break from their cruel reality. Whether it’s the two lovers dancing on a Gotham rooftop under the moonlight or a dream-like fantasy of them getting married, Joker and Harley’s shared delusion and infatuation for each other is chaotically charming.
Joaquin Phoenix’s return as Joker feels like no time has passed, delivering another Oscar-worthy performance. This time, Phoenix is asked to do much more with the addition of singing and dancing, yet he still embodies the character’s disturbed personality to perfection. Phoenix wears Joker’s skin, embracing the struggles and moments of madness once again. Created by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini for Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn returns to the big screen with popstar-turned-actress Lady Gaga filling the shoes. Gaga is an understated, less psychotic version of Harley that aptly fits this film’s tone. Naturally, Gaga shines in the sequel’s musical sequences, which will leave many viewers obsessed with the selected songs. Not including any original music (apart from the score) in the vein of a jukebox musical was the right choice, as the duo pulls these tunes from their own twisted realities living in Gotham City.
Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Returning cinematographer Lawrence Sher beautifully lights and lenses Joker: Folie a Deux, capturing the fantastical numbers and Gotham’s griminess to great effect. Sher utilizes deep focus to isolate Phoenix’s Joker as he wrestles with his tragic existence while lighting most scenes with contrasting teals and oranges. The world of Joker: Folie à Deux is just as visually rich as the original, aided by Oscar-winner Hildur Guðnadóttir‘s haunting orchestral score that breathes new life into the titular character. As aforementioned, the screenplay is more restrained and less sensationalist than its predecessor, which works well with the themes at hand. Despite how controversial the musical elements may be and how less “thrilling” it is compared to 2019’s Joker, it’s better that the filmmakers chose to take a creative swing rather than be safe. Otherwise, this would’ve just been another sequel. Instead, Joker: Folie a Deux is an entirely unique anti-hero film.
Joker: Folie à Deux is an enchanting follow-up that boasts some bold risks and surprise twists that will leave fans speculating for days. It ends in a satisfying way that teases a potential future while highlighting the effect that Joker had on society in the original film. There will undoubtedly be a lot of awards chatter as Joker: Folie à Deux is superbly made by a range of top creatives with two excellent performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. Love it or hate it, it’s looking like this one-of-a-kind interpretation of Joker and Harley Quinn’s romance will have a tight grip on the public zeitgeist for the foreseeable future.
Joker: Folie à Deux premiered at the 2024 Venice Film Festival. The film hits theaters on October 4!
Release Date: October 4, 2024.
Directed by Todd Phillips.
Written by Scott Silver & Todd Phillips.
Based on characters by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, Jerry Robinson, Bruce Timm, & Paul Dini.
Produced by Todd Phillips, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, & Joseph Garner.
Executive Producers: Scott Silver, Jason Ruder, Mark Friedberg, Georgia Kacandes, & Michael E. Uslan.
Main Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Zazie Beetz, Harry Lawtey, Steve Coogan, Leigh Gill, Sharon Washington, Jacob Lofland, & Ken Leung.
Cinematographer: Lawrence Sher.
Composer: Hildur Guðnadóttir.
Production Companies: Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Studios, & Joint Effort.
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures.
Runtime: 138 minutes.
Rated R.
