Joker: Folie à Deux will leave audiences split down the middle

2024 has been a mixed bag for comic book adaptations.

We started the year with the lows of Madame Web, then soared to the highs of Deadpool and Wolverine. We’ve had so-so TV shows like Echo but then a tense mafia drama with Penguin.

Agatha All Along has been a surprise for many and even animation has seen a revival with the second half of Invincible season two and Batman: Caped Crusader.

Upon all this content sits what I believe to be not only the most divisive comic book movie film of the year but the most hair-splitting film in recent memory – Joker: Folie à Deux.

Before I continue, I need to let it be known this film has left me very conflicted.

On one hand, this film is a testament to production and the hard work of the many people behind the scenes. I appreciate the lack of CGI, the use of real locations as well as the impeccable cinematography. The acting is also top-notch, which is to be expected with Joaquin Phoenix as the lead.

On the flip side, however, we have a frustrating mess of a story with a bunch of writing that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

This sequel picks up two years after the end of the original.

Arthur Fleck (aka Joker) has been admitted to Arkham Asylum as a result of the murder spree he went on at the end of the first film, which included killing a TV show host live on air.

Becoming a martyr for the underclass of Gotham City, Arthur’s Joker persona is put on a pedestal by many, including fellow inmate Harleen Quinzel (Lady Gaga).

The pair use Arthur’s newfound confidence to display to the world during his murder trial that he is Joker through and through and that Arthur is the real persona.

The first film already split audiences down the middle. Some thought it was a brilliant character study of a man beaten by a corrupt system while others saw it as an abusive and bleak representation of poor mental health.

Personally, I aligned more with the former, but I completely understand the latter. The sequel is more of the same but with a lot less subtlety. The first film depicted Arthur as an unreliable narrator and things we saw didn’t necessarily happen.

In Folie à Deux, the ambiguity is removed and replaced with musical numbers.

You read that correctly.

Joker 2 is a musical, and that is just one of the many things people will take issue with.

For the most part, these musical numbers are interesting enough. It was a unique way of contrasting Arthur’s weakness and Joker’s arrogance. The issues come towards the latter third of the film when these moments become less of a peek behind the curtain and more of a chore for the audience to sit through.

They become less insightful and more of a pretentious ‘creative choice’. This is wholeheartedly on the director, Todd Phillips. Love or hate the first film, there’s no denying his unique vision. Phillips saw the response to the first film, clearly said, “Hold my beer”, and dived deeper into his own ‘inspired creativity’. The result is alienating – especially in the last 20 minutes.

Without giving too much away, several story decisions make this entire film feel completely derivative and ultimately redundant.

It left me frustrated as this is not a short film.

We’ve followed Arthur’s descent into madness over 4.5 hours across two movies and for a simple snap decision to unravel the themes and questions both films ask about mental health, obsession and what it means to be a symbol in the space of 20 minutes was downright annoying.

Joker: Folie à Deux will split audiences as they debate whether this film is a dumpster fire or a masterpiece.

I’m as completely down the middle as one can possibly be.

In terms of entertainment, I did enjoy it but I also don’t think I like it very much. I know that doesn’t make a lot of sense, but if you do see this movie, I’m sure you will understand.

Once the credits rolled, I was left asking myself: was this movie necessary?

If I’m being completely honest, I don’t think so.

The first concluded in such a fashion that this follow-up didn’t need to happen. If it weren’t for the first bringing in a billion dollars at the box office, it would be hard to see this getting the green light.

Joker: Folie à Deux is showing in cinemas across the country.