Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)

Release Date: October 4, 2024
Director: Todd Phillips
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Well, I’ll say this—when I heard there was a Joker sequel, my immediate reaction was “Hell yes!” because the first film, Joker (2019), was a grimy, grim masterpiece that grabbed every award in sight. But when I settled in for Joker: Folie à Deux, cocktails swirling through my system and the ScreenX walls engulfing me in Gotham’s filth, I learned something shocking: this is a musical. Yeah, let that sink in. A musical. Nobody told me Joaquin Phoenix was about to turn into Fred Astaire, and Lady Gaga, while spectacular, wasn’t exactly subtle foreshadowing.

Act One: The Joker's Back in Town

We kick off right where the first film left us: Arthur Fleck (Phoenix), fresh off a killing spree, is locked up in Arkham Asylum. The grim visuals of Arkham’s satanic mill vibe are back, complete with fluorescent-lit hallways and haunting murmurs from fellow inmates. Enter Lady Gaga as Dr. Lee Quinzel—yes, that Lee Quinzel, though she never fully transforms into the maniacal Harley Quinn we’ve come to expect from DC lore. Instead, she’s introduced as a psychiatrist with questionable boundaries, who gets swept up in Arthur’s warped world faster than you can say “toxic romance.”

From their first encounter, the chemistry is both unsettling and electric. Gaga gives us a Quinzel who is driven, vulnerable, and utterly enamored with Arthur’s madness. Their relationship unfolds through a bizarre mix of longing gazes, impromptu musical numbers, and therapy sessions that feel more like auditions for West Side Story.

The Musical Gotham Nobody Asked For

Yes, Joker: Folie à Deux is a musical—largely a jukebox one at that. Classics like “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered” and “To Love Somebody” are belted out amidst Gotham’s decay. Sure, the rationale works on paper: Arthur Fleck’s delusions could easily manifest as grandiose, Broadway-like spectacles. But in practice? It’s as jarring as finding glitter in your French fries.

Gaga’s powerhouse vocals deliver chills during the dreamier numbers, and Phoenix surprises with a hauntingly raw voice that somehow matches his unhinged Joker persona. Still, the tonal shifts are brutal. One minute we’re deep in Arthur’s dark psyche; the next, we’re in a surreal tap-dancing number with Arkham inmates. The first couple of songs are intriguing; by the fifth, you’re checking your watch.

The Plot: Thin as a Joker Smile

The movie hinges on two threads: Arthur’s trial for his past crimes and his love story with Lee. The trial scenes, meant to be dramatic, come off as bloated and oddly comedic—especially when Arthur goes full Southern lawyer in a drawling impersonation that feels straight out of a parody sketch. Meanwhile, the romance spirals into dysfunction, with Lee inexplicably gaining enough privileges to attend Arthur’s trial and sing alongside him in dream sequences. The story spins its wheels, weighed down by its own pretensions and an overabundance of unnecessary spectacle.

One particularly baffling choice: the movie introduces elements like Lee’s eerie first song—sung in an open room as Arthur passes her in Arkham—but fails to flesh out her backstory. Fans hoping for the full Harley Quinn arc will leave disappointed.

The Performances: Gaga Shines, Phoenix Stretches

Let’s be clear: Joaquin Phoenix is still an acting powerhouse. His Arthur remains a chilling, unpredictable force, though this time his Joker “dance” feels less iconic and more like awkward yoga warm-ups. As Arthur spirals deeper into madness, Phoenix’s performance veers dangerously close to self-parody—virtuosic, yes, but exhausting.

Lady Gaga, on the other hand, is the film’s saving grace. Her portrayal of Lee Quinzel is a perfect mix of raw vulnerability and simmering chaos. Her voice soars in the musical numbers, and her quieter moments with Phoenix crackle with intensity. If nothing else, Gaga proves she’s as much a force in cinema as she is on stage.

The supporting cast is solid, though underutilized. Brendan Gleeson adds gravitas as the prosecuting attorney, and Catherine Keener delivers a quietly menacing performance as Arkham’s head doctor. Sadly, their roles are reduced to filler in a movie that’s already overstaying its welcome.

The Aesthetics: Gotham in Full Spectacle Mode

Visually, Joker: Folie à Deux is stunning. Arkham’s twisted corridors and Gotham’s rain-soaked streets provide the perfect backdrop for the chaos. The musical sequences are lavishly choreographed, with sweeping cinematography that captures every surreal detail. Seeing it in ScreenX was a treat, immersing me in Arthur’s fractured mind and the unsettling beauty of his delusions.

But aesthetics can only carry a film so far. While the visuals impress, they can’t mask the narrative incoherence. The movie’s attempt to marry gritty realism with show-stopping musical numbers creates a tonal dissonance that’s hard to shake.

What’s the Point?

Ultimately, Joker: Folie à Deux feels like a misguided experiment. The first Joker worked because it stripped the character down to his raw, human essence. This sequel, by contrast, slaps on layers of spectacle that detract from the story’s emotional core. Todd Phillips seems to think that by turning Arthur’s delusions into a musical, he’s adding depth. In reality, he’s just adding noise.

There’s a nihilistic undercurrent to the film that mirrors the first, but it lacks the same weight. Instead, we get a rehashed version of Arthur’s descent into madness, padded with glitter and glam that only serves to dilute the impact.

Final Thoughts

Look, I wanted to like this movie. Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga are two of the most compelling performers of our time, and their chemistry is undeniable. But even their talents can’t save a film weighed down by a bloated runtime, incoherent storytelling, and an over-reliance on musical gimmicks.

Would I recommend it? Only if you’re morbidly curious or a die-hard fan of Gaga’s vocal prowess. Otherwise, Joker: Folie à Deux is a frustrating, uneven sequel that fails to capture the brilliance of its predecessor.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3 out of 10 stars)

Until next time, keep the cocktails strong and your expectations low. Cheers! 🥂