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Joker: Folie à Deux - A Review
If you’re a die-hard fan of the previous film, a fanatic for the Joker character, or someone who craves scenes of chaos and violence embodied by the mad Joker, you might find yourself disappointed with this sequel. Unlike its predecessor, this movie is essentially its polar opposite. It deconstructs the Joker mythos, serving as an anti-Joker film. The director unapologetically critiques audiences who hailed the first film as a masterpiece. To the point of introducing Harley Quinn as a symbolic representation of these viewers, her role is reduced to singing, dancing, and passively observing Arthur, leaving little room for her character to shine.If the previous film focused on the Joker as a symbol of madness and primal instincts, this sequel delves into Arthur’s vulnerability and suppressed humanity.
The core storyline revolves around Arthur’s trial. His lawyer struggles to prove that Arthur suffers from dissociative identity disorder, arguing that the murders were committed by a separate Joker persona created as a defense mechanism. Harley Quinn, however, falls in love with this Joker persona. She repeatedly tells Arthur not to suppress himself, insisting that the Joker is his true identity. Interspersed throughout are musical dream sequences centered on Harley and Arthur, which highlight their shared delusions. These sequences, styled as theatrical musical numbers, give the film its title, Folie à Deux (or “shared psychosis”).
What Does "Folie à Deux" Mean?
The term refers to a psychological condition where a dominant and influential individual suffering from delusions transmits their psychosis to another person who shares an emotional connection with them. In the film, Harley Quinn seems to be influenced by the Joker, but since all the dream sequences are from Arthur’s imagination, the true dynamic becomes clear: Arthur is the one affected. Harley is in love with the Joker, not Arthur, and she subtly manipulates him, pushing him to believe that the Joker is his true self.When Arthur finally admits in court that he is the killer and that the Joker persona never existed, Harley is deeply disappointed and leaves him. In the climactic scene, Arthur escapes the courthouse to chase after her, begging her to run away with him. But Harley, disillusioned, delivers the crushing line:
"There is no Joker, isn't it?"
Thus, Harley is revealed as the one suffering from psychosis. Her love for the Joker is a fantasy, an obsession with a non-existent persona, rather than the flawed and real Arthur.
The Deconstruction of the Joker
In a way, the birth of the Joker originally marked the deconstruction of traditional hero narratives. Over time, however, the Joker himself became idolized, symbolizing rebellion and violent resistance to injustice. This film deconstructs that romanticized Joker, returning him to his human form. It examines his complex humanity, emphasizing that there was never an innate rebel in Arthur—only a man pushed to the edge by oppression. From start to finish, Arthur is fragile, broken, violent, and mad. All of these traits are essential parts of his true self.A Powerful Scene with Little Gary
One particularly moving scene occurs during Little Gary’s testimony.Gary tells Arthur, “Don’t do this to me. This isn’t you.”
With a Joker grin painted on his face, Arthur coldly retorts, “Maybe… maybe you don’t know who I really am.”
Gary, on the verge of tears, pleads, “You’re the only one who doesn’t laugh at me, the only one who’s been kind to me.”
Arthur attempts to maintain his composure, but his voice begins to tremble, choking back sobs as he shouts for the judge to stop the questioning.
This scene poignantly reveals that the Joker’s supposedly untouchable strength is nothing more than a mask. At his core, Arthur’s kindness toward Gary and their friendship were genuine, unlike the artificial strength he displays as the Joker.
A Reflection of Ourselves
When the Joker is stripped of his mythical status and shown as a complex individual, it implies that anyone could be Arthur—or even the Joker. Audiences who identify with Harley Quinn may find themselves wanting to see only what they prefer:- Either they ridicule him as weak and subservient Arthur...
- Or they exalt him as the violent and rebellious Joker.
The Film’s Reconstruction After Deconstruction
Ultimately, the film rebuilds its narrative after breaking down the myth of the Joker. It delivers the message:"To lose humanity is to lose much; to lose one’s primal nature is to lose everything."
Both humanity and animalistic instincts are integral parts of a complete personality. Some people choose to embrace one aspect, while others accept all parts of themselves.
By peeling back the layers of the Joker, this film reminds us of the fragile, flawed humanity that exists within us all.
