For a while since 2019, Joker, directed by Todd Phillips, took the world by storm. It became one of the highest-grossing R-rated films (slightly behind Deadpool), and the first comic book-inspired movie to win an Oscar for “Best Leading Actor,” won by the amazing Joaquin Phoenix.
Five years after the movie’s release, an official trailer of Joker: Folie à Deux was released. The trailer provided more information on what the sequel will entail while still being vague about what could happen to our titular madman. While the first film left audiences questioning what was real, it looks like Folie à Deux will be more grounded in reality. Let’s explore everything that’s known about the movie so far!
What We Know
The trailer states that it’s been two years since the events of the first movie, which ended with the Joker killing Murrey Franklin (Robert De Niro) on live TV, causing a mass riot in support of our anti-villain. Since then Arthur’s been locked up in jail and awaiting his trial, his fan base only growing stronger. In the prison, Arthur meets Harleen Quinzel (Lady Gaga), referred to as “Lee” in the trailer’s subtitles, another inmate institutionalized in Arkham Asylum.
This is very interesting, as in the comics, Harley was first a well-to-do psychologist before meeting and falling in love with the Prince of Crime. Now as an inmate, Lee is a fan of the Joker and the only one to call Arthur by this moniker. Does this mean she’s only fascinated with the man in the clown mask and what he stands for, or does she come to love everything about Arthur, turning into Harley Quinn? Based on the musical scenes the trailer presents, it seems both Arthur and Lee share the same mindset. Will this be a twisted love like in the comics? It seems like Lee will be the one to edge Arthur more into the persona of the Joker, pushing him to fully commit to the symbol of the less fortunate in Gotham City.
A Maddening Musical
As this movie turns into a court drama/musical, Arthur will be conflicted with his double persona. Can he live up to what he accidentally created in the first movie? As he figures this out, he will do so in his “mind palace.” Instead of deciphering what is real or a hallucination, viewers will clearly see his imagination unfold through well-choreographed musical numbers. Will this work with the movie’s theme? With the voice talents of Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, it’s likely to work in the movie’s favor, demonstrating their romance and how far the movie’s willing to go to present a side of the Joker we aren’t used to, especially in sympathizing with Batman’s most infamous villain.
Movie Predictions
With a lot of chaos unfolding within Arkham Asylum, will this movie show if the last scene of the first Joker movie was real or not? If you don’t remember, the last scene showed Arthur in prison talking to a psychologist or therapist, then walking in a white hallway, his footsteps leaving red shoeprints on the floor. Did he kill the therapist, or was this simply a creepy use of imagery to show there is no going back for the Joker as he dances and runs manically through the halls?
Another theory buzzing around, mostly by YouTuber Jeremy Jahns, suggests that the ending could show Lee being the new Joker, carrying the will of the people as Arthur passes the torch by dying. Lee, in a costume strongly resembling her comic book counterpart, seems to be embracing the role happily. However, the Joker and Harley are a twisted duo, and with Lee enamored with the Joker, wouldn’t it make sense for the pair to escape the asylum together and live a life of crime, showing how the Joker has the support to fall into the Joker persona with Lee by his side?
This is mostly my take on what the movie could be about, and I can’t wait for it to come out in theaters. Did you know Joaquin Phoenix could sing? If not, check out the movie Walk the Line (in which he sings with Reese Witherspoon) while you wait for Folie á Deux to debut!
For more Joker content, check out our earlier predictions about Folie á Deux here!
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