I went into Joker: Folie à Deux with very low expectations, based on the reviews I had seen from people I respect in the film community. Even so, I came away disappointed.
First, let’s start with the positives. Like the first film, the cinematography and score are absolutely stunning. The film captures the emotions of Gotham, the era, and the characters beautifully. The way it’s shot is incredible, and the aesthetics on screen are captivating. I also have to commend the costume department. The muted tones for the prisoners, Joker’s signature outfit, and the drab uniforms of the guards are all superbly done.
Now for the issues. The main problem is that this isn’t the Joker we wanted. We were never going to get the iconic “Clown Prince of Crime” from the comics or previous films in this version of the Joker. It was clear from the start that this was a different take on the character—one focused more on Arthur Fleck’s personal struggles. While I appreciate that the film is an exploration of mental health and societal expectations, it spends too much time on Arthur, rather than allowing Joker to evolve into the symbol or idea that he is in the comics. I liked the concept that Joker could inspire others, or be a symbol like Batman, an idea that could be taken on by anyone. But instead, the movie rehashes the same ideas from the first film for over an hour, which really hurts the overall story.
(Joker and Lee at Jokers trial)
The courtroom drama element was also a poor narrative choice. It slows the film down significantly, and I think it would have worked better if it had been condensed to about 30 minutes. Unfortunately, it drags on for much of the film’s two-hour and 20-minute runtime, which really harms the pacing.
One of the biggest issues is the unnecessary musical numbers. There are just too many songs, and they feel out of place, interrupting the flow of the story. Lady Gaga does her best with what she’s given, but her role feels underwritten. It seems like she signed on before her character was fully developed, and they didn’t do much to flesh her out afterward.
Without giving away spoilers, I’ll say that the concept of the ending had potential, but the execution was lacking. The final act would have made more sense if it had involved Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn, given her character’s admiration for Arthur/Joker. Instead, the focus shifts in a way that feels unearned, and it hurts the conclusion.
In the end, Joker: Folie à Deux isn’t the film I was hoping for. While I initially gave it three stars, on reflection, I’m dropping that to two. If you’re curious, go see it, but it’s not the best film, and certainly not what fans of the character might have hoped for.
Let me know your thoughts if you’ve seen it. Feel free to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and X for my next review!
Aaron
