Joker: Folie à Deux, the highly anticipated sequel to the groundbreaking first film, goes completely off the rails, abandoning the psychological depth and intense darkness that made the original such a hit. The first Joker movie gave us a deeply unsettling character study of Arthur Fleck, a man broken by society, eventually transforming into Gotham’s most terrifying villain. But Folie à Deux loses all of that magic, instead turning into a baffling, directionless musical spectacle.The most striking thing about Joker: Folie à Deux is just how disconnected it feels from the first film. Instead of the tension, trauma, and eerie twists that defined the original, this movie gives us a confusing mishmash of random plot points and an over-reliance on musical numbers. Every five minutes, there’s another song, leaving you wondering what happened to the gritty, raw energy that defined the first movie. At times, it feels like you’re watching a completely different film—or worse, a poorly thought-out parody of the original.
(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)
While the first Joker movie expertly explored the psychological torment of Arthur Fleck, Folie à Deux offers a plot so vague and incoherent that it’s impossible to follow. It’s as if the story was written by someone who didn’t understand the original character, leaving viewers utterly confused about what’s happening on screen. By the time the credits roll, you’re left wondering what the point of it all was. There’s no clear narrative direction, no meaningful arcs, and certainly no payoff.
(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)
Worst of all, the Joker himself—the Clown Prince of Crime, the greatest villain of the Batman universe—is reduced to little more than a singing, dancing performer. The terror and chaos that made him such an iconic figure are absent. Instead, Joker: Folie à Deux strips away everything we love about the character, making him unrecognizable. The Joker’s sinister and unpredictable nature, which should have been central to the film, is replaced with bizarre theatrics and songs that feel out of place.
By the end of the movie, you realize that the real joke isn’t on Gotham or Batman, but on us, the viewers. We’ve spent two hours watching a film that goes nowhere, only to leave the theater with more questions than answers, along with a mild headache and the heartbreak of seeing such a beloved character mishandled. As DC fans, it’s difficult to grasp how such an iconic villain could be so drastically misrepresented.
(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)
Ultimately, Joker: Folie à Deux is a massive letdown, failing to live up to the brilliant psychological exploration and darkness of the first film. With a nonsensical plot and out-of-place musical numbers, it feels like a different movie altogether—and not in a good way. This movie earns a disappointing 0.5 stars out of 5.
