Joker: Folie À Deux provides a profound exploration of Arthur Fleck’s troubled psyche and his notorious alter ego, the Joker. Following the shocking climax of Joker (2019), where Arthur executed talk show host Murray Franklin live on air, audiences anticipated a direct sequence delving into his violent ascent in Gotham City.
Nonetheless, director Todd Phillips had a different narrative in mind, presenting a more poignant and tragic tale that culminates in Arthur’s demise and the emergence of a new, more perilous Joker.
How Does Arthur’s Joker Meet His End?
The trial of Arthur Fleck is a pivotal moment in the film. Throughout the proceedings, Arthur attempts to evade responsibility by leveraging his Joker persona, claiming insanity. However, the burden of guilt becomes insurmountable, and he can no longer hide behind the facade of the Joker.
In a startling twist, he confesses to his crimes in court, effectively relinquishing the Joker identity he had crafted. This confession paves the way for Arthur’s eventual demise.
In a poetic conclusion, Arthur meets a fate similar to that of Murray Franklin when he is fatally attacked by another inmate at Arkham Asylum—an individual who had developed an obsession with him.
Feeling betrayed by Arthur’s rejection of the Joker persona, this inmate delivers the lethal blow. Arthur’s death parallels Murray’s, representing the transfer of the Joker legacy to a new and more dangerous successor.
Will Gotham See a New Joker Now?
With a haunting Glasgow smile reminiscent of Heath Ledger’s portrayal in The Dark Knight, this new Joker is ready to unleash even greater havoc across Gotham.
This transformation illustrates that Arthur’s rendition of the Joker was never intended to endure. Instead, his role was merely to set the foundation for the evolution of the Joker concept into a more perilous incarnation. Now, the stage is primed for this new Joker—an idea, rather than an individual—to inflict chaos upon Gotham.
Why Did Harley Quinn Betray Joker?
Lee Quinn, the love of Arthur’s life who transforms into Harley Quinn, plays a significant role in Arthur’s tragic downfall.
Initially drawn to the Joker persona, she soon comprehends that her true affection lies with Arthur, the man behind the mask. This realization peaks during Arthur’s trial, where his candid admission forces her to withdraw, leaving him completely abandoned.
The courthouse bombing orchestrated by Arthur’s followers highlights their lack of genuine concern for him as an individual. Their fixation was solely on the Joker as a symbol of chaos.
Once Arthur renounces the Joker identity, his followers desert him, illustrating their preference for the concept of the Joker over Arthur Fleck himself.
Did the Masses Misunderstand Arthur’s Joker?
Todd Phillips, known for his audacious storytelling, makes a significant statement in Folie à Deux by dismantling the myths surrounding Arthur Fleck’s Joker.
While the 2019 Joker positioned Arthur Fleck as a symbol of defiance and anarchy, the forthcoming film appears to satirize this narrative. A closer examination reveals that Arthur lacked the calculated malice often attributed to him; instead, he was grappling with profound inner turmoil. During this turmoil, the citizens of Gotham misinterpreted him, painting him as a “hero of chaos.”
By the film’s conclusion, the true essence of Fleck is exposed. He was by no means the cold, remorseless assassin that Gotham residents believed him to be. The Joker persona was merely a coping mechanism he adopted to conceal his own fragility.
Joker: Folie à Deux illustrates Arthur’s deteriorating mental health and how it culminated in his dramatic confession. As audiences know, this confession ultimately deprived him of the power associated with the Joker, leading to his death.
Is Arthur Fleck Returning?
Although Arthur Fleck’s demise leaves little opportunity to envision a continuation of the Joker narrative, it undoubtedly leaves a lasting impact on the citizens of Gotham. Arthur Fleck redefined the Joker concept, passing it to the masses where a new incarnation could emerge.
As a haunting melody plays and the film concludes without a post-credits scene, viewers exit the theater, left with a chilling realization: the Joker is not merely a man. He embodies an idea—one that remains very much alive.
About Joker: Madness for Two
Joker: Folie à Deux is a 2024 American musical psychological thriller film directed by Todd Phillips from a screenplay co-written with Scott Silver. Loosely inspired by characters from DC Comics, it serves as a sequel to Joker (2019), with Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as the Joker, alongside Lady Gaga as his love interest, Harley Quinn.
The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2024, and is set for release in the United States on October 4, 2024.
Plot: Arthur Fleck is in custody at Arkham Asylum, awaiting trial for a series of murders he committed as the Joker two years prior. In music therapy, Arthur encounters fellow patient Lee Quinn, who confesses to her imprisonment following an arson incident.
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