Joker: Folie à Deux – A Dance with Madness

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 08 October 2024 > What's On


Joker: Folie à Deux, the sequel to the 2019 Oscar-winning film, was released in theaters October 2, 2024. Set outside the mainstream DC Universe, Todd Phillips' Joker: Folie à Deux continued the story of Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck, a troubled failed comedian who is loosely based on DC Comics' Clown Prince of Crime.

A Transformed Arthur Fleck
Two years after the events of the first film, we find Arthur Fleck, played by Joaquin Phoenix, committed to Arkham Psychiatric Hospital. The character, who had descended into murderous madness, now appears as a shadow of his former self, often mute and slow under the effect of heavy medication.

The Arrival of Harley Quinn
The arrival of Harleen "Lee" Quinzel, portrayed by Lady Gaga, brings a new dimension to the story. This encounter between two tormented souls within the psychiatric facility explores themes of shared madness and toxic love. Lady Gaga offers a rawer version of Harley Quinn, departing from previous representations of the character.

A Daring Musical Comedy
Director Todd Phillips takes a creative risk by transforming this new opus into a musical comedy. This shift in tone contrasts with the dark and violent atmosphere of the first film. The musical sequences, sometimes baroque, serve to illustrate the mental state of the protagonists. Lady Gaga, with her musical experience, adds a vocal dimension to the film.

The narrative structure of Folie à Deux also differs from its predecessor. A large part of the film takes place in the courthouse, where the Joker's trial is filmed like a reality show. This approach allows the director to question the voyeurism and sensationalism of contemporary society. Visually, the film alternates between gloomy scenes in the asylum and flamboyant musical moments, creating an eclectic style that blends reality and illusions. Unlike the first film, which was criticized for its violence, Folie à Deux has almost entirely removed on-screen violence, with the exception of an animated opening scene.

A Striking Performance
Joaquin Phoenix delivers another intense performance, adapted to this new version of the character. The duo he forms with Lady Gaga is a highlight of the film. Joker: Folie à Deux is shaping up to be a divisive film, both in its stylistic approach and its themes. It pushes further the deconstruction of superhero film codes while offering a reflection on contemporary society. With an estimated budget of $150 million, nearly three times that of the first film, Joker: Folie à Deux is already generating diverse reactions among viewers and critics. One thing is certain: this film will leave no one indifferent.

In 2019, Joker won a total of 122 awards and was nominated 361 times in various categories. Among its most notable distinctions:

Golden Lion at the 2019 Venice Film Festival.

Two Oscars at the 92nd Academy Awards, Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix and Best Original Score for Hildur Guðnadóttir.

The film also received other prestigious awards, such as the Golden Globe for Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix, as well as several accolades at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.