Review by Jon Donnis
I was putting off watching and reviewing Joker: Folie à Deux, mainly due to not a single person I know, who had seen it, thinking it was any good. But alas I have little choice, so here we go.
"Joker: Folie à Deux" is a "bold" attempt to continue Arthur Fleck's story, transforming the gritty psychological thriller into a jukebox musical that doesn't quite hit the mark, it is a genre change that no one asked for, and no one wanted. Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga do however deliver exceptional performances, diving deep into the bizarre blend of spectacle and dread the film aims for. Phoenix revisits Arthur's complex and tortured psyche with his trademark intensity, while Gaga brings a twisted romantic edge as Lee. Their chemistry, however, cannot fully compensate for a storyline that often feels directionless.
The film opens with a surreal animated sequence where Joker's shadow performs in Arthur's place. This sets up the odd tone that barely lets up. The narrative tries to mix courtroom drama, musical numbers, and dark romance with a hint of satire, but it ends up feeling overstuffed and unfocused. Arthur, still grappling with his fractured identity and now awaiting trial, is placed in scenarios that don't seem to progress his character meaningfully. Ideas of dissociative identity disorder, deception, and manipulated love are introduced, yet none of them fully connect. Rather than letting Arthur evolve, the story spends too long recycling scenes from the original film, but without the tension or mystery that made the first movie so memorable.
The musical numbers are hit or miss, with some adding emotional layers while others seem more like filler. At times, the songs highlight Arthur's mental disarray, but as they grow repetitive, the choice to frame Joker's story as a musical becomes questionable. The courtroom scenes, which could have brought tension and drama, feel slow and lack emotional depth. Harvey Dent's testimony and Arthur's brutal encounter in the showers come across as dark filler rather than meaningful additions to his journey. Arthur's eventual attempt to renounce his Joker persona seems intended to be tragic, but it feels forced and leaves little impact.
Gaga's portrayal of Lee brings some charisma, but her character lacks the chaotic energy Margot Robbie previously brought to Harley Quinn. Gaga's Quinzel is intense, but her presence doesn't add much in terms of depth or genuine menace. By the time Arthur's story concludes with his bleak demise after being attacked by a young inmate, it feels like the film has taken viewers on a long, unnecessary journey that adds little to his story.
"Joker: Folie à Deux" seems more like an attempt to cash in on the success of the first film than a genuine continuation. Its lengthy runtime drags, and by the end, it's clear that the Joker's story was better left as it was. Although the movie is technically well-made, it lacks the originality and sharp insight of "Joker" (2019). Instead, it feels like a clunky, overly ambitious film that misses the franchise's potential and leaves Joker more muddled than ever.
This disappointing follow-up underscores Hollywood's tendency to go too far with beloved characters. With a 3 out of 10, it is clear this film could have used more of the edge and intelligence that made the original so impactful.
