Joker: Folie à Deux starts off with a familiar sense of intrigue, led once again by Joaquin Phoenix’s captivating portrayal of Arthur Fleck. However, unlike the frenetic energy of its predecessor, Todd Phillips’ follow-up leans into a slower, more introspective pace. The result is a film that subverts expectations yet struggles to sustain the momentum that made the 2019 Joker so explosive.
Phoenix’s Arthur, imprisoned and on trial for his murders in the first film, remains physically mesmerizing, with his every movement carrying the same eerie grace as before. Yet, despite his powerful performance, Folie à Deux quickly falls into a reflective and philosophical tone, becoming more of a courtroom drama than a chaotic thriller. The film seems preoccupied with re-examining Arthur’s actions, asking whether society or the legal system is at fault, rather than moving the narrative forward.
The introduction of Lady Gaga as Lee Quinzel, Arthur’s love interest and fellow inmate, offers moments of connection. Their shared musical interludes, featuring old standards like “Get Happy” and “That’s Life,” provide some of the film’s most emotionally rich and visually striking sequences. Yet, these moments of fantasy cannot fully mask the sense that Folie à Deux is a film trapped in the past, content to rehash themes of mental illness and societal neglect without much new to say.
Phillips’ decision to make the sequel a musical is commendably bold, but the execution often feels inert. The film’s pace drags, and much of the narrative is bogged down in reexamining the Joker’s psyche rather than letting the characters evolve organically. The satire on the public’s desire for entertainment, symbolized by the anarchist martyrdom of the Joker outside the courthouse, feels thoughtful but overly drawn out.
Despite these shortcomings, Phoenix continues to amaze with his portrayal of Arthur, a man broken by the world around him. His contortions and the physicality of his performance remain a highlight. However, Folie à Deux ultimately feels like a film unsure of its direction—simultaneously daring in concept but hesitant to break free from its own reflections on the past.
With its mix of prison drama, courtroom scenes, and sporadic musical numbers, Joker: Folie à Deux remains a film that will likely divide audiences, much like its predecessor. It challenges the conventions of the superhero genre but leaves us longing for a bit more unpredictability and emotional depth from its characters. Two stars out of four.
