Joker vs Joker: Folie à Deux – Did the sequel really miss the mark?

The Todd Phillips film Joker, featuring Joaquin Phoenix in an Oscar-winning performance, was a massive success, setting the grounds for a highly awaited sequel. With the firm receiving numerous accolades, it's clear that awards seasons always deliver unforgettable moments, much like the recent buzz surrounding the 2024 Emmy Awards.

So, it's safe to say the Joker's chaotic mix of humour and horror has certainly captivated audiences worldwide.

Let’s first have a look at Joker 1 to understand its tone and atmosphere.

The rise of Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker

Arthur Fleck is a party clown who has failed in stand-up comedy and leads an impoverished life with his ailing mother. The twist comes when society brands him as a freak, and he decides to embrace the “freak” and live a life of chaos in Gotham City.

We can note that the key symptom of Arthur’s mental illness is Tourette’s, but in a “Ha-Ha” state, this prompts him to laugh uncontrollably, especially in awkward situations. He usually carried a sign that said: “Excuse the Laughter”.

Scenes to remember

Joker 2 – Folie à Deux: A musical mess

You probably saw that Joker: Folie à Deux is a musical written and directed by Todd Phillips. Phillips did not write the songs; they are selections from “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered” and the 60s international pop song “To Love Somebody” from the Bee Gees, among others.

Joker 2 is set in 1985, while Joker 1 was four years earlier, in 1981. That said, that was a lot of time for the city of Gotham and the people living there to change considerably. We previously mentioned that Joker 1 introduced Arthur Fleck to us as a troubled person against the drab and dreary backdrop of 1981.

His influence over Gotham as the Joker also appears to have caused a shift in the community. People took an interest in the sensational true crime aspect of the story, but several viewers felt a connection with Fleck.

Scenes to remember

A shift in movie style

Those who have seen the film will almost immediately notice the tonal shift. Joker 1 presented a character-driven narrative exploring mental illness, societal neglect, and the downward spiral into madness. The dark, atmospheric storytelling resonated with viewers, reflecting contemporary social issues.

Joker 2 incorporates musical elements, largely because Lady Gaga plays Harley Quinn. Some viewers appreciate Phillips's bold direction, while others argue that the musical element detracts from the intense psychological exploration portrayed in Joker 1. The original Joker fans loved it for its realness and storyline.

Lady Gaga – the perfect fit?

Viewers had mixed emotions regarding Lady Gaga's casting as Harley Quinn even before the film’s release. However, it was not all negative, as many fans were excited to see her as this iconic character. Some viewers also argued that Gaga’s presence overshadows Phoenix’s performance, causing the whole narrative to be off-balance.

What the critics had to say

Critics have questioned whether Gaga, known primarily for her music career, could effectively step into a role that requires a complex blend of charm and menace. Some felt that Joker: Folie à Deux became a spectacle that only centred on the star power of Gaga rather than the depth of the actual film and its theme. The lack of a more cohesive character study is evident.

This potential overshadowing has disappointed the viewers who hoped for a continuation of the subtle storytelling of the first film.

Despite there being a lot of negative reviews, some praised Gaga for her role in the film. In an interview with Lady Gaga, she mentioned that she was a fan of Harley Quinn and the whole setting of Joker 1.

Was Joker 1 more profitable than Joker 2?

We can all agree that the money the film makes is important for every filmmaker, and the profit is even more important. The budget for the first Joker was $65,000,000, but Warner Bros., which financed the making of Joker 2, is a bit sceptical about all the negative reviews, as the cost to produce the film was $200,000,000.

It is safe to say that fans loved Joker 1 more than the new release. We can agree that Joker 2 brings a fresh approach to the film franchise, but the mixed emotions regarding the theme highlight the challenges of following a film everyone loved. The shift in tone, combined with Lady Gaga’s appearance, has caused negativity among fans.

The disappointment arising from the sequel reminds us of the complexities of adjusting beloved characters and stories. The challenge will always be balancing innovation with what made the story a fan favourite. For now, we can only hope that the journey for Joker continues to surprise and challenge them in ways they did not expect.