“Joker: Folie à Deux,” a sequel to “Joker,” has been making waves on the internet since its release on October 4, 2024, but not for the best of reasons.
Its release has been met with mixed feelings from viewers, with some calling it an abject failure and others claiming it is a great sequel. The ending has also caused quite a stir, igniting debates about its ties to Batman. Here’s all fans had to say.
Joker Fans From 2019 Have Strong Opinions About the New Sequel
“Joker: Folie à Deux” is the highly anticipated sequel to the DC Comics-inspired origin story for the titular Batman villain. Still, if you ask some people, it falls below expectations. Meanwhile, some think it was a perfect production, praising the music and the actors. The sequel is a success, but not in the ways that matter.
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For instance, it has earned a notably low CinemaScore and box office turnout since its release. This is compared to director Todd Phillips’ original, which grossed over $1 billion globally and earned lead actor Joaquin Phoenix an Oscar for his portrayal of Arthur Fleck a.k.a. Joker.
“Folie à Deux,” in which Lady Gaga plays Harleen “Lee” Quinzel, a.k.a. Harley Quinn, is a movie musical and courtroom drama, so understandably, it contains less violence and more significant thematic changes from Joker.
However, none of that explains the ending, which viewers have mixed feelings about. Some have praised how it ended, but others have expressed disappointment, with a few even tagging it as meta-commentary on the original.
Dealing With “Joker: Folie à Deux” Ending
After seeing “Joker: Folie à Deux’s” unexpected ending, some viewers think it can be interpreted as a meta-commentary on the first film’s reception.
PEOPLE’s review of the original movie called it “a portrait of a psychotic Incel who finds release — grotesque validation — by becoming a happily murderous bad guy.” However, after watching the sequel, some viewers claim it “completely destroys the fantasy that the first movie creates,” which “is exactly what Todd & the cast wanted.”
One user on X, formerly Twitter, pointed out that many have taken issue with the sequel because they were expecting “murders, explosions, fire, and passion.” Many like that exist who believe that the sequel was great because Todd Phillips and co-writer Scott Silver achieved their primary goal, which was portraying mental health.
Is the Joker Sequel a Musical?
“Joker” 2, famously titled “Joker: Folie à Deux,” is a jukebox musical. However, the director, Todd Philips, has said that while music plays a central role in the production, the project is not a traditional musical. The film incorporates about 15 famous songs into its storyline. However, Lady Gaga has also admitted that it is not a musical in the conventional sense.
Is Joker 2 a Sequel or a Prequel?
“Joker 2” is a sequel to the 2019 film titled “Joker.” It cost $190-200 million to produce and has grossed $114.7 million at the box office.
What Is the New Joker Based On?
“Joker: Folie à Deux” continues the stories of some DC Comics characters, including Arthur Fleck, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix.
The movie follows the psychological journey of Fleck, a down-on-his-luck comedian who eventually becomes the Joker, and introduces Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. While some may have expected murders, explosions, and passion, the film explores themes of identity, mental illness, and societal rejection, building on the foundation laid by its predecessor.
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How Does “Joker: Folie a Deux” End?
The final scene of the “Joker” sequel shows Arthur Fleck’s murder by another unidentified inmate within Arkham State Hospital. His killer seems to carve his face into a grotesque smile similar to Heath Ledger’s in Christopher Nolan’s 2012 hit “The Dark Knight,” which implies that he is the Joker who ultimately becomes Batman’s archenemy.
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