Joker: Folie à Deux, directed by Todd Phillips, was released October 3, 2024 with a run time of 138 minutes. The film continues the plotline of the first Joker movie (2019), telling the story of a crazed clown, and his complex love interest, Harley Quinn. While the first Joker movie was beautifully done and earned a well-deserved Oscar, Joker: Folie à Deux is a flop, with an incredibly slow storyline and an excessive amount of disturbing scenes.
The movie contains depictions of self-harm, drug use, and sexual assault, topics which can be triggering for viewers. Rated R, Joker: Folie à Deux delves into several sensitive topics such as childhood trauma, abuse, and mental illness almost carelessly. From bombings to stabbings, this film has some truly gruesome scenes.
Joker: Folie à Deux is every bit as twisted as it sounds, portraying the Joker (Joaquin Phoenix) and his alter ego; a stand-up comedian Arthur Fleck, as a crazed killer serving time in prison while his lawyer attempts to transfer him to a psychiatric hospital. Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga) quickly falls in love with the Joker after crossing paths with him at the Arkham State Hospital where she admitted herself, and together they would participate in music lessons.
The movie is a warped, disturbing love story following the two lovers and their shared mental illnesses. The title, Folie à Deux, which translates to madness shared by two, refers to a delusion or mental illness shared by two people in close association.
At many times during the film, the line between reality and Fleck’s mind blurs, and the degree of his self-deceptions show how deranged his mind is. While the film never identifies the Joker or Harley Quinn’s mental disorders, the evidence of their insanity is the only clear theme throughout the movie. The plotline is confusing and jumbled as a result, often only showing the Joker’s warped view of the world and mental state.
Although the plot is scattered, one surprisingly enjoyable element is the soundtrack. The music plays an important role, giving the movie a romantic feel. The Joker and Harley Quinn perform songs from Gaga’s new album, Harlequin, with “Gonna Build a Mountain” featured twice in the movie.
Lady Gaga’s catchy tunes blend romance and 50s-style music, and make the singing scenes highly enjoyable. Unfortunately, Gaga’s romantic music is the only happy thing in the movie. This film is nothing short of horrific, with destruction and depression in every scene. With a disorganized plotline and graphic scenes of violence, The Joker: Folie à Deux earns two out of five feathers.
