Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) Review And Where To Watch Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)

Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) Review And Where To Watch Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)

In 2019, Joker became a landmark release that took audiences by storm. Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Arthur Fleck, a man wrestling with mental illness and societal collapse, earned widespread acclaim, including an Academy Award for Best Actor. Directed by Todd Phillips, the film was distinct from typical superhero fare, steering clear of the action-heavy, CGI-laden spectacles that dominate the genre and instead delivering a gritty, psychological exploration of a man on the brink of collapse. It wasn’t just a commercial success, becoming the first R-rated movie to surpass $1 billion in box office revenue; it also started a conversation about the portrayal of mental health in cinema and the power of character-driven storytelling.

With Joker: Folie à Deux, Phillips returns to this universe, this time with the added twist of musical elements and the introduction of another iconic character: Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga. The anticipation surrounding the sequel was immense. Could it replicate the success of the first? Would the musical elements blend seamlessly with the dark tone of the Joker’s world? And perhaps most importantly, could Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck evolve beyond the nihilistic antihero of the first film?

The answer, it seems, is complicated.

Joker: Folie à Deux – A Brief Overview

Released in 2024, Joker: Folie à Deux picks up two years after the events of the first film. Arthur Fleck is now institutionalized in Arkham Asylum, grappling with the consequences of his descent into madness and the chaos he inspired in Gotham City. The film introduces Harley Quinn, a psychiatric patient who becomes enraptured by Fleck’s Joker persona. Unlike the previous film, which was starkly realistic in tone, this sequel incorporates musical elements that shift the narrative into more surreal territory.

Musicals and Joker? At first glance, the combination might seem jarring. Yet, Phillips takes this unexpected direction seriously, using the musical numbers not as mere distractions but as insights into the minds of the two protagonists. The songs reflect their inner turmoil, their desires, and their delusions, adding a new layer to their psychological complexity.

However, this experimentation hasn’t been universally loved. Critics have been divided. While some praised the boldness of blending genres, others found the musical numbers disorienting and out of place. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 32% and a box office performance that has failed to meet expectations, it’s clear that Joker: Folie à Deux hasn’t resonated with audiences in the way its predecessor did.

The Critical Response

The most striking aspect of Joker: Folie à Deux is how polarizing it has been. On one hand, the film attempts to push boundaries, subverting the superhero genre by incorporating elements from musicals, courtroom dramas, and psychological thrillers. On the other hand, many feel that this genre mishmash fails to come together cohesively.

The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw gave the film a middling three out of five stars, acknowledging the ambition but criticizing the execution. Meanwhile, the influential Roger Ebert review site was far less forgiving, awarding the film just one star. The primary complaint from these critics revolves around the depiction of a particular suicide, which some argue is exploitative. Others took issue with the film’s pacing, finding it meandering and overly indulgent in its artistic flourishes.

Yet for all its flaws, there are moments of undeniable brilliance. Joaquin Phoenix once again delivers a magnetic performance as Arthur Fleck. His portrayal of a man torn between his two identities—Arthur and Joker—anchors the film amidst the chaos of its narrative. Lady Gaga, too, brings a raw intensity to Harley Quinn, capturing both the vulnerability and the madness of the character.

Musical Elements and Genre Subversion

Perhaps the most talked-about aspect of Joker: Folie à Deux is its musical numbers. This decision was met with skepticism even before the film’s release. After all, Joker (2019) was a gritty, grounded portrayal of a man’s mental breakdown. How could such a dark, introspective story accommodate song and dance?

Phillips addresses these concerns by making the musical elements a reflection of the characters' mental states. The songs are not performed in a conventional, Broadway-style fashion. Instead, they are fragmented, dissonant, and often disturbing, mirroring the fractured psyches of Arthur and Harley. One particularly memorable sequence involves a duet between the two characters, as they imagine a life outside the confines of Arkham Asylum. The song is filled with hope and longing, but the reality of their situation quickly crashes down around them, turning the fantasy into a nightmare.

This use of irony is key to understanding the film’s approach to its musical numbers. The music is not there to soothe or entertain; it is there to unsettle. It forces the audience to confront the gap between the characters' delusions and the harsh realities they face. In doing so, Phillips challenges the expectations of both the superhero and musical genres, creating something that is deliberately uncomfortable to watch.

Yet this approach has its drawbacks. For some viewers, the dissonance between the musical numbers and the film’s bleak tone is too jarring. The songs feel more like interruptions than integral parts of the narrative. This is perhaps where Joker: Folie à Deux stumbles the most. While it aims to be a bold, genre-defying film, its ambition sometimes outpaces its ability to bring these disparate elements together in a satisfying way.

Box Office Performance and Commercial Reception

One of the most surprising aspects of Joker: Folie à Deux is its underwhelming box office performance. With a reported production budget of $190 million, the film has grossed just over $201 million worldwide—a far cry from the billion-dollar success of the first Joker film. Warner Bros. was undoubtedly hoping for a repeat of the 2019 phenomenon, but Joker: Folie à Deux has fallen short of those lofty expectations.

The reasons for this are likely multifaceted. First, the film’s critical reception has been mixed at best, with many reviewers warning potential viewers that this is not the same kind of experience as the first Joker film. Second, the decision to release the film on digital platforms just three-and-a-half weeks after its theatrical debut likely cannibalized some of its box office potential. Audiences who might have gone to see the film in theaters opted to wait and watch it from the comfort of their homes instead.

There’s also the matter of audience expectations. The first Joker succeeded in part because it tapped into a particular cultural moment. Its portrayal of a man pushed to the brink resonated with many viewers, particularly in the United States, where political and social tensions were high. Joker: Folie à Deux, by contrast, feels more self-contained and less connected to the broader cultural conversation. Its focus on the relationship between Arthur and Harley, while compelling, does not have the same societal relevance as the first film’s exploration of mental illness and class struggle.

The Harley Quinn Dynamic

One of the most anticipated aspects of Joker: Folie à Deux was the introduction of Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga. This marks a significant departure from previous cinematic portrayals of the character, most notably Margot Robbie’s version in Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey. Where Robbie’s Harley is chaotic and colorful, Gaga’s Harley is more subdued, at least initially.

Harley’s relationship with Arthur is central to the film’s emotional arc. At first, she is presented as a fellow patient in Arkham, a woman who has been inspired by the Joker’s rebellion against the system. But as the film progresses, it becomes clear that Harley’s fascination with Arthur is not purely ideological. She is drawn to him on a personal, almost spiritual level, seeing in him a kindred spirit who shares her disillusionment with the world.

This dynamic is both the film’s greatest strength and its most significant source of tension. Phoenix and Gaga have undeniable chemistry, and their scenes together crackle with a mix of tenderness and menace. But their relationship is also deeply unsettling, particularly as Harley begins to adopt the Joker persona herself. The film does not shy away from the darker implications of their bond, presenting it as a toxic, co-dependent relationship that ultimately brings out the worst in both characters.

This depiction of Harley and Joker’s relationship is likely to divide fans. Those who are familiar with the characters from the comics or previous films may be surprised by how grounded and psychologically complex their dynamic is here. There are no grand declarations of love or over-the-top antics. Instead, their relationship is portrayed as a slow, creeping descent into madness, with each character feeding off the other’s instability.

Arthur Fleck’s Evolution

One of the central questions surrounding Joker: Folie à Deux is how Arthur Fleck’s character has evolved since the events of the first film. In Joker (2019), Arthur was a man on the edge, pushed to violence by a combination of personal trauma and societal neglect. By the end of the film, he had fully embraced his Joker persona, becoming a symbol of chaos and rebellion in Gotham City.

In the sequel, however, Arthur is a much more subdued figure. Institutionalized and medicated, he seems to have lost the fire that drove him in the first film. This creates an interesting tension within the narrative. Is Arthur truly reformed, or is he merely biding his time, waiting for the right moment to unleash the Joker once again?

This question is at the heart of Joker: Folie à Deux. Throughout the film, Arthur grapples with his dual identity, torn between his desire for redemption and his need to assert his Joker persona. This internal conflict is mirrored in his relationship with Harley, who pushes him to embrace the chaos once more.

Phoenix’s performance is, as always, a masterclass in subtlety and intensity. He captures the quiet desperation of a man who is no longer sure who he is or what he wants. Arthur’s journey in this film is less about external conflict and more about his struggle to define himself in the face of overwhelming pressure from both the legal system and Harley.

The Courtroom Drama

Another unexpected element of Joker: Folie à Deux is its focus on courtroom drama. Much of the film takes place in the courtroom where Arthur is on trial for the murders he committed in the first film. This setting allows the film to explore issues of identity, responsibility, and justice in a way that feels more cerebral than the first Joker.

Arthur’s defense hinges on the argument that he and Joker are two separate personalities. His lawyer argues that Arthur is a victim of mental illness and that the Joker persona is responsible for the violence. This defense creates a fascinating moral dilemma: Can Arthur truly be held accountable for the actions of his alter ego?

The courtroom scenes are some of the most compelling in the film, thanks in large part to Phoenix’s performance. As Arthur listens to his lawyer describe him as a victim, the audience is left to wonder whether he truly believes this or if he is simply playing along in order to avoid the death penalty. This ambiguity is one of the film’s strengths, keeping the audience on edge as they try to discern Arthur’s true motivations.

The Ending – A Shocking Twist

The film’s third act takes a sharp turn, culminating in a shocking twist that forces the audience to rethink everything they’ve seen up to that point. Without giving too much away, it’s safe to say that Joker: Folie à Deux does not end on a conventional note. Instead, it leaves viewers with more questions than answers, challenging them to grapple with the film’s themes of identity, madness, and the nature of reality.

This ending is likely to be divisive. Some will appreciate the boldness of Phillips’ vision, while others may find it frustrating or unsatisfying. Regardless of where one falls on this spectrum, there’s no denying that Joker: Folie à Deux is a film that refuses to play by the rules, for better or worse.

Where to Watch Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)

If you’re interested in watching Joker: Folie à Deux, here’s where you can find the film. As of now, the movie is still showing in select theaters, although its theatrical run is winding down. You can check showtimes at major theater chains like Fandango, AMC Theaters, Cinemark Theaters, and Regal Theaters.

For those who prefer to watch the film at home, Joker: Folie à Deux is now available for rent or purchase on digital platforms, including Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Vudu. The rental price is $19.99, while purchasing the film will cost you $24.99. If you rent the movie, you’ll have 48 hours to watch it once you press play.

Additionally, Warner Bros. has announced that Joker: Folie à Deux will be released on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD on December 17, 2024. The physical release will include several bonus features, including a four-part documentary, “Everything Must Go,” as well as featurettes on the film’s music, characters, and visual style.

Finally, for those who prefer streaming, Joker: Folie à Deux will eventually be available on Max, Warner Bros.’ streaming service. While no official streaming date has been announced, it’s expected that the film will hit Max sometime in late December or early January, based on previous Warner Bros. releases.

Watch Joker: Folie à Deux Ofiicial Trailer

Conclusion

Joker: Folie à Deux is a film that takes risks, some of which pay off and some of which don’t. It’s a bold, genre-defying sequel that pushes the boundaries of what a superhero movie can be, but it’s also a film that will likely alienate many viewers. Its combination of musical elements, courtroom drama, and psychological exploration makes for a unique viewing experience, but one that is not without its flaws.

Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying that Joker: Folie à Deux is a film that will be talked about for years to come.