Long Beach Ca – “Joker: Folie a Deux” is a new, highly anticipated film that came out on October 4, 2024. It is the sequel to the very successful 2019 film “Joker.” The sequel takes quite a different approach to portraying the famous comic book character, which has left fans feeling unsatisfied and disappointed.
“Joker: Folie a Deux” is directed by Todd Phillips and brings us back into the life of Arthur Fleck, played by Joaquin Phoenix. This time, he teams up with Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga, and their relationship is pretty intense. The movie really digs deep into issues like mental health and how society treats people who struggle. Unlike the first film in 2019, the sequel is a musical that has not sat well with most fans. It currently has a 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, along with many negative and unhappy reviews. However, what if all these negative reviews tie into what the film is trying to say?
Phillips does a great job involving dark humor with serious moments. The cinematography looks amazing, with stunning visuals. With this movie being a musical, the music is unfortunately not one of the film’s strong points. The vocals are slightly offputting, and it’s not a very enjoyable listen overall. Some parts feel a bit slow, but the acting is just as good as the first. Phoenix and Gaga are great in their roles, and you can’t help but get drawn into their character’s chaotic lives. “Folie a Deux” is an interesting story that makes you question what it means to be human. If you’re interested in movies that explore the mind and emotions, this one may be something you would want to see. However, if you are expecting something similar to the first movie, you are not going to get what you think.
“Folie a Deux” ultimately does the exact opposite of the original movie. It does not meet the audience’s expectations. We are not given a traditional Joker plot. And I believe that’s part of the message the movie is attempting to show, that focusing on the mental health of the characters instead of getting a big violent show is something that the audience is not interested in. And that explains part of why Arthur initially turned into the Joker. After the first movie, we as viewers would rather watch Arthur as the insane clown who terrorizes Gotham instead of as someone who heals, recovers and becomes his true self. We shouldn’t let someone’s mental health interfere with our enjoyment of them. That’s what this movie meant by its message, and the negative feedback only continues to prove that point.
