Shocking Review: ‘Joker: Folie á Deux’ – Are Two Singing Jailbirds Enough to Replace Supervillainy?

Folie à Deux – A Shared Madness

When you think of a musical romantic drama involving Batman characters, “Folie à deux” — shared madness — seems like a fitting theme. However, in the somewhat irregularly paced follow-up to Todd Phillips’ 2019 blockbuster “Joker,” we’re left wondering: who exactly are the two sharing this madness? Is it the Joker and Harley Quinn? Arthur Fleck? Or someone else? Despite the movie’s pacing issues and overall weightiness, it does provide a few intriguing possibilities. Yet, it leaves the viewers asking: what exactly did I just see and why?

The Story Continues

“Joker: Folie à Deux,” co-written by Phillips and Scott Silver, continues the story two years after the original “Joker.” We find Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix, reprising his Oscar-winning role) in Arkham Asylum, awaiting trial for his numerous crimes. The movie begins with a cartoon reminiscent of Looney Tunes, titled “Me and My Shadow,” illustrating Arthur’s struggle with his own shadow, a force stronger than himself. This cartoon sets the stage for the movie’s musical theme and serves as a metaphor for the repressed, often unacceptable aspects of our inner selves. Arthur’s determined lawyer (portrayed by Catherine Keener) is working on a “shadow” defense: Arthur’s innocence due to insanity as Joker exists as a distinct personality within him.

Unlikely Duos & Musical Numbers

One potential duo in the film is Arthur and his lawyer. However, Arthur soon encounters fellow inmate Harleen “Lee” Quinzel (Lady Gaga), the film’s incarnation of Harley Quinn, previously brought to life by Margot Robbie in “Suicide Squad,” “The Suicide Squad,” and “Birds of Prey.” These two eccentric characters share a love for music and discussions about their parents’ demise. The plot mainly focuses on Arthur’s trial, handled by Gotham’s vain Assistant District Attorney Harvey Dent (Harry Lawtey). And of course, there is an abundance of music with numerous songs throughout.

A True Sequel to ‘Joker’

“Folie à Deux” is in every sense a continuation of “Joker,” told in the same dramatic cinematic style, with returning key members of the original team. Cinematographer Lawrence Sher delivers striking visuals, such as Arthur’s reaction to Lee painting a lipstick smile on glass or their exchange of cigarette smoke through prison bars. Phoenix’s performance is as passionately committed as ever, and Gaga convincingly portrays a crazed fan. However, the significant change is the frequent musical numbers, which explore classics from the Great American Songbook like “That’s Entertainment!” and “Bewitched (Bothered and Bewildered).”

Music & Narrative

With 11 songs on the soundtrack album and even more in the film, the music sometimes propels the narrative forward, but at other times it seems unnecessary. Although the performers are enthusiastic, these musical interludes test the audience’s patience, often interrupting the movie’s momentum, which is already lacking. There’s no attempt to build suspense around the trial outcome or any grand scheme that Arthur or Lee might concoct. The absence of any joyful scheming painfully reminds us that this is not the “Joker” we know and love.

A Different Approach

The 2019 film felt more like the unholy offspring of “Taxi Driver” and “The King of Comedy” rather than a conventional origin story. Phillips appeared more interested in building on a Martin Scorsese framework than a DC one. (In the sequel, a judge character bears an uncanny resemblance to Scorsese.) So what drives the sequel, aside from the potential for another billion-dollar box office hit? That’s a question viewers will ponder throughout “Folie à Deux,” which largely stumbles along until an impressive sequence where Arthur/Joker acts as his own attorney. This is where Phoenix shines, and the film hits its stride. It’s funny, bizarre, and threatening in just the right measure — a much-needed boost for a somewhat sluggish comic-book film. But anyone waiting for Arthur to transform into the iconic Joker will be disappointed. That’s not the focus here, either.

Unanswered Questions

The film doesn’t delve deeply into the romance aspect. It seems to pay more attention to how others — the media, the crowds outside the courthouse — perceive Joker. The movie is so distanced from the supervillain narrative that it verges on meta. However, as the musical numbers become lengthy diversions instead of adding depth to Arthur’s character, the sequel falls short as a character study. And it’s certainly not a thriller.