“Joker: Folie à Deux” has been one of the most awaited premieres of 2024, and the anticipation has finally come to an end. This DC sequel continues the story we left in the successful 2019 film, diving even deeper into the troubled psyche of Arthur Fleck. Released on Thursday, October 3, in Latin America, the film has sparked various reactions. It is certainly not what many expected, leading to intense discussions, particularly regarding its unexpected musical elements. Yet beyond the controversy, the conclusion has left the audience with many questions.
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In this new chapter, Joaquin Phoenix reprises his celebrated role as Arthur Fleck, who is now confined in Arkham as he faces trial for the violent murders he committed two years prior.
The narrative explores the dark recesses of his mind while his attorney, Maryanne Stewart, attempts to defend him by claiming that he suffers from dissociative identity disorder. According to her, it wasn’t Fleck who committed the crimes; it was his alter ego, the notorious Joker. Throughout the film, this defense poses a disturbing question: is Arthur truly culpable, or is he merely a victim of his fractured mind?
During his time in Arkham, Arthur meets Harleen “Lee” Quinn, played by Lady Gaga, a fellow patient who quickly becomes infatuated with him. What ensues is a complex and perilous relationship that intertwines elements of psychological and musical thriller, prompting both characters to attempt an escape together.
“Joker: Folie à Deux” combines elements of psychological thriller and musical (Photo: Warner Bros.)
Arthur Fleck, who embraced the Joker persona strongly in the first film, begins to question his choices. Everything shifts when confronted by the frightened gaze of his friend Gary during the trial. This incident triggers a break within Arthur. He comes to realize that perhaps the image of the villain who incites chaos and insurrection is not truly who he is.
His doubts escalate when his followers, fans of the Joker, storm the courthouse to free him. Observing the havoc he has wrought, Arthur questions if he genuinely wishes to continue being that feared figure. This realization is a profound shock for him: Is he genuinely the Joker or merely Arthur, a man ensnared by his own tragedies?
Harleen Quinn had actually entered Arkham voluntarily and did not burn any buildings (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)
The answer is simple yet painful: Harleen didn’t fall for Arthur Fleck, but rather for the Joker. The Harleen Quinn we all recognize is a lover of chaos and danger, drawn to the villain who shot a live host, not the timid, submissive man he had been his whole life.
When Arthur decides to reject his identity as the Joker, he loses the allure he had for Harleen. He is no longer the charismatic figure who captivated her attention, leading her to leave him. What Harleen sought was not a partner but a representation of anarchy. Without the Joker, Arthur ceases to be that person.
Before her final hearing, Lee informs Arthur that she is pregnant. However, it remains unclear if this is true or merely another lie to feel closer to the Joker.
Personally, I believe the latter theory is more plausible, as after Fleck accepted responsibility and distanced himself from the clown, she rejects him. Would someone easily walk away if they were expecting a child with him? Or does she sense that her true father (the Joker) has perished?
The most unsettling moment of the finale occurs when Arthur is returned to Arkham and encounters another inmate who has been watching him from a distance for some time. This is where the Joker’s legacy takes a sinister turn.
Arthur, weary and disillusioned, wants to leave the Joker behind. In a scene reminiscent of “The Killing Joke,” this enigmatic figure stabs Arthur, reiterating the iconic words: “You get what you deserve”. As Arthur perishes, the assailant carves the smile off his face, reminiscent of other portrayals of the Joker, such as Heath Ledger’s in “The Dark Knight.”
This chilling act indicates that the Joker is not merely a person but a symbol. While Arthur may be dead, the Joker will persist, shifting from one identity to another. As long as Gotham is rife with disillusioned individuals willing to embrace its chaotic aspects, there will always be a Joker regardless of who takes on the role.
This conclusion leaves open the possibility that the Joker is everlasting, a symbol of chaos that can change his appearance but never truly vanish.
Gianella Altuna
Joker: Folie à Deux – Delving Into the Depths
“Joker: Folie à Deux has been one of the most anticipated premieres of 2024, and finally, the wait is over. This DC sequel continues the events we left behind in the hit 2019 film, delving even deeper into the troubled mind of Arthur Fleck. Released on Thursday, October 3 in Latin America, the film has generated all kinds of reactions. It is definitely not what many expected, and has given rise to intense debates, especially about its unexpected musical approach.
Plot Overview
In this new installment, Joaquin Phoenix returns to his acclaimed role as Arthur Fleck, who is now locked up in Arkham as he faces trial for the brutal murders he committed two years earlier.
A Complex Defense
The plot plunges us into the dark depths of his mind while his lawyer, Maryanne Stewart, tries to save him by arguing that he suffers from split personality disorder. According to her, it was not Fleck who committed the crimes, but his alter ego, the infamous Joker. This defense raises a disturbing question: is Arthur truly responsible, or is he just a victim of his own fractured psyche?
Introduction of Harleen Quinn
During his stay in Arkham, Arthur meets Harleen “Lee” Quinn, performed by Lady Gaga, a patient who quickly becomes attracted to him. What follows is a complex and dangerous relationship that combines elements of psychological and musical thriller, leading both characters to try to escape together.
Arthur’s Internal Struggle
Arthur Fleck, who had embraced the figure of the Joker strongly in the first film, begins to doubt his decision. Everything changes when faced with the fearful look from his friend Gary and when he testifies against him at trial. This act breaks something inside Arthur.
Moral Dilemmas
Doubts increase when his followers, fans of the Joker, attack the courthouse to free him. Arthur, seeing the chaos he has unleashed, wonders if he really wants to continue being that feared figure. This decision presents a brutal shock for him: is he really the Joker or just Arthur, a man trapped in his own tragedies?
The Relationship with Harleen Quinn
The answer is simple but painful: Harleen didn’t fall in love with Arthur Fleck, but with the Joker. Harleen Quinn, as we know her, is a fan of chaos and danger, drawn to the villain who shot a live host, not the shy, submissive man he had been his entire life.
Arthur’s decision to abandon his identity as the Joker leads to Harleen’s departure as she seeks a manifestation of anarchy. What Harleen wanted was not a companion, but chaos, and without the Joker, Arthur is no longer magnetic to her.
Ambiguous Ending and Questions Raised
Before her final hearing, Lee confesses to Arthur that she is pregnant. However, we are left with uncertainty about whether this is true or just another one of her lies to feel closer to the Joker. Personally, I find the latter argument more compelling, as Arthur distances himself from the clown character.
The most disconcerting moment of the finale occurs when Arthur is sent back to Arkham and meets another prisoner who has been observing him. In this scene, the Joker’s legacy takes a dark turn.
A Dark Revelation
Tired and disenchanted, Arthur desires to leave the Joker behind. But in a chilling moment reminiscent of “The Killing Joke,” this mysterious figure stabs Arthur, evoking the classic phrase: “You get what you deserve.” As Arthur dies, the murderer cuts the smile off his face, alluding to other portrayals of the Joker, such as Heath Ledger’s in “The Dark Knight.”
The Eternal Symbol of Chaos
This act conveys that the Joker is not merely a person, but a symbol. Arthur may be dead, but the Joker will continue, represented throughout Gotham by chaotic souls ready to pick up the mantle. As long as disillusioned individuals exist, there will always be a Joker, regardless of who wears the persona.
This ambiguous ending leaves open the notion that the Joker could be eternal, a chaotic icon who can change faces but never truly disappears.
Key Takeaways from ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’
- Emotional Depth: Explores the complexities of identity and responsibility.
- Musical Elements: Unexpectedly integrates music to enhance storytelling.
- Character Dynamics: The relationship between Arthur and Harleen highlights chaos versus vulnerability.
- Symbolism: Reinforces the idea that the Joker is a persistent symbol of chaos in a troubled society.