‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ review: bold musical take falls short of the original’s danger

Joker: Folie à Deux offers bold musical moments but lacks the danger and intensity of the original Joker film.

In Joker: Folie à Deux, director Todd Phillips’ sequel to Joker, the film takes a daring musical approach, but it doesn’t quite capture the dark intensity that made its predecessor stand out. Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as Arthur Fleck, whose fame has only grown since his televised murder of talk-show host Murray Franklin. Now imprisoned at Arkham State Hospital, Arthur is set for a media-frenzied trial, raising the question of whether he is criminally insane or simply an unfortunate, disturbed individual​.

The musical format sees Arthur break into songs like “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” blending old-time tunes with his bleak situation. Lady Gaga joins the cast as Lee Quinzel, who gradually transforms into Harley Quinn, captivated by Arthur’s infamy. However, despite her strong presence, Gaga’s character remains underdeveloped, with fewer opportunities to showcase the raw energy she delivered in A Star Is Born.

Phillips explores the concept of Arthur’s fractured personality through the musical numbers, but while the idea is ambitious, the execution lacks the shock and danger of the original Joker. The sequel, at two hours and 18 minutes, stretches a relatively thin plot, culminating in a trial and a climactic explosion. Critics have noted that the film feels more cautious, as if responding to the backlash against the first film’s portrayal of a deeply flawed anti-hero​.

Ultimately, Folie à Deux tries to combine the unsettling nature of its predecessor with the joy of musicals, but the result is a movie that feels less daring, leaving fans of the original craving more intensity.