24/48
The film’s subtitle “Folie a Deux” means “Madness of Two” in French
Story
Struggling with his dual identity, failed comedian Arthur Fleck meets the love of his life, Harley Quinn, while imprisoned at Arkham State Hospital. Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson, and writer-director Todd Phillips share what scared them most about tackling the musical sequel. Plus, Gaga discusses how she got into and stayed in her dark character. This initially led to speculation about Harley Quinn’s appearance in the film, which was later confirmed. The name Folie a Deux comes from 19th-century French psychiatrists Charles Lasègue and Jules Falret.
It is also known as Lasègue-Falret syndrome
The term was coined to refer to two or more people who share the same madness or delusion. The jury foreman speaks of the “People of New York” instead of Gotham City. This is because New York State is the plaintiff in a criminal trial, and this version of Gotham City is evidently located in New York State (most versions place Gotham in New Jersey). Arthur Fleck: [Written as a spiteful autograph with a sad smiley face] I HOPE YOU GET CANCER. The film opens with a Looney Tunes title sequence, featuring the Warner Bros.
logo surrounded by rings and the Joker’s face
Featured in AniMat’s Crazy Cartoon Cast: The Wicked Discovery of a Lifetime (2022). Merrily We Roll Along Written by Eddie Cantor, Murray Mencher, and Charles Tobias. Joker 2 tries once again to delve into the mind of Arthur Fleck, but unfortunately, it treads too much the same ground as the first film. The original Joker was such a meticulous and thorough character study that by the end, it felt like there was little left to discover. That exact sentiment haunts this sequel as it struggles to find new dimensions to Arthur’s complex psyche, leaving the film feeling more like an epilogue than a fresh narrative.
Joaquin Phoenix, as expected, delivers an excellent performance as Arthur Fleck, further cementing his unsettling portrayal of the Joker
Lady Gaga also brings depth to her role as Harley Quinn, adding a new dynamic to Arthur’s story. However, the film continually strays from its strong performances with unnecessary musical numbers and courtroom drama that feel out of place. Ironically, the film feels best when it alludes to the iconic scenes and atmosphere of the first film rather than when it tries to experiment with new elements. The callbacks to Arthur’s lonely, troubled journey in the original film evoke the same haunting tension and emotional weight that made Joker so powerful. However, the attempts to add new layers with courtroom drama and out-of-nowhere musical sequences end up hurting the flow of the story, feeling more like distractions than meaningful additions.
Ultimately, Joker 2 feels more like a sequel that didn’t have much more to say
The film shines brightest when it focuses on the twisted and toxic relationship between Joker and Harley. The chemistry between Phoenix and Gaga adds a fascinating layer to the film, but unfortunately, these moments are too few and far between. While it has its highlights, particularly in its performances, the film feels like an unnecessary addition to the first rather than a compelling new chapter. For fans of the original, it may feel redundant, offering little new exploration of Arthur’s character or the world he inhabits. Check out our list of exciting new films from this year’s film festivals, including Venice, TIFF, the New York Film Festival, and more.