This past weekend, Joker: Folie à Deux the sequel of the popular DC spinoff movie Joker, released in theaters after a five-year period from the original. Joaquin Phoenix returns to his role with the same energy that won him an Academy Award for the first Joker. His role as Arthur Fleck continues as he portrays a man who has started to lose his mind and his grip on reality as it slips even further. However, Folie à Deux introduces a new dynamic in the form of Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga who adds more complexity and chaos into Arthur’s life as she is a passionate character who is also just as unpredictable as Arthur.
The film leans more into the psychological side of Arthurs mind as well as incorporating more musical elements (which is why this movie is technically classified as a musical). These scenes make the movie feel strange and weird which fits the mood of the movie because it allows the viewer to be pulled into the twisted mental states of Arthur and Harley.
In addition to the story, the movie is also very visually stunning. The film captures the dark and grimy beauty of Gotham City which makes the city feel familiar to the viewer. In a sense, the viewer becomes attached to the city and starts to form a connection with it as if they are the ones actually living in the city. As a result of the mental states of the protagonists, the film will occasionally become bright and then go back to dark and moody again, which really makes the viewer feel unsettled and out of balance.
In conclusion, Joker: Folie à Deux may not be for everybody because it has a dark mood and leaves the viewer feeling unsettled. However, if you are a fan of dark, bold, comic books that explore the mind of a villain then this movie is perfect for you. It is a movie that will leave the audience thinking about it for a long time after its final credits roll.
