Joker: Folie à Deux
Joaquin Phoenix once again steps into the role of Arthur Fleck in this sequel, filled with musical interludes. The encounter with Harleen Quinzel (played by Lady Gaga) leads to a love affair that is as surprising as it is explosive.
In 2019, Todd Phillips gave a fresh twist to the comic book adaptation by doing the exact opposite of a traditional superhero film. JOKER became a dark, profound exploration of the psyche of a man pushed to the edge by society, who eventually plunged into the abyss.
In this highly anticipated sequel, we find Arthur locked up in Arkham State Hospital, awaiting his trial. There, he crosses paths with Harleen Quinzel, a meeting that spirals into a romantic but complex love affair – a case of 'folie à deux' (shared psychosis), with far-reaching consequences for both the city and themselves.
JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX is not just a sequel, but also a response to the success of the first film. Todd Phillips clearly distances himself from the idolisation of the Joker, a character unintentionally seen by some as a symbol of anarchism. Furthermore, with the many musical interludes – JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX is a musical as well as a courtroom and prison drama – Phillips consciously defies the expectations set by his first film.