2019’s Joker was a fantastic movie that didn’t need a sequel. It certainly didn’t need a musical sequel, and even though fans of the first movie were voicing their disappointment with the idea before the first trailer was released, I was willing to give it a shot. Unfortunately, and unsurprisingly, Joker: Folie a Deux is a poor sequel that fails to capture the greatness of the original and does a lackluster job of blazing its own path.
Arthur Fleck is in prison at Arkham and being evaluated to see if he is fit to stand trial for his murders. He then meets Harley Quinn, who appears to be a kindred spirit and the catalyst that reawakens his Joker persona. The audience quickly learns that Joaquin Phoenix isn’t much of a singer, especially not when trying to sing as Arthur Fleck.
Lady Gaga is obviously fine in the musical numbers, given her singing chops. However, the problem with the songs isn’t just Phoenix’s mediocre pipes, it’s the songs themselves. Bad lyrics, a lack of strong choreography, and a general lack of imagination make the musical aspects of the film fall flat. It’s strange because the idea of making a musical follow-up to the first movie is so absurd that you’d expect performances and visuals that are just wacky, but it all ends up rather boring and tedious.
The flip side of the movie is part courtroom drama, part character study, but the focus and tension from the original are missing here. Arthur struggles with his severe psychosis and trauma while also witnessing how much of a cult figure he really is. There’s plenty of material here that could be used for a solid sequel, but the movie chooses to rely heavily on the relationship between Arthur and Harley -- a couple that is iconic in the comic book world, but here they are shackled down by the plot. This universe’s version of Gotham was also a major highlight of the first movie, but the city has gone to waste here because most of it takes place in Arkham and the courthouse.
There are still interesting themes to be found. Arthur’s only feelings of worth came from being a monster, a killer whom others have painted as a martyr. It’s why Harley is infatuated with him, and it’s why he has a legion of supporters in the city. Folie a Deux does a great job of showing what a chaotic figure is like when not “in character” -- he’s a sad husk with nothing to live for. It’s a shame that the movie's more interesting ideas aren’t explored thoroughly.
There are definitely flashes of a good movie here. The cinematography is still solid; the general feel of the world is still interesting; and Phoenix has some good scenes. Lady Gaga isn’t bad as Harley either, but the problem is the movie has them sing bad songs rather than tell a more compelling story. I can’t imagine any fan of musicals, or the first movie, walking away satisfied from Folie a Deux.
Author Bio:
Ulises Duenas is a senior writer and film critic at Highbrow Magazine.
For Highbrow Magazine