REVIEW OF THE JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX
4TH OCTOBER 2024
The follow-up to 2019’s Academy Award-winning Joker from acclaimed writer/director/producer Todd Phillips, which earned over $1 billion at the global box office and, until recently, was the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, has returned with Joaquin Phoenix reprising his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck/Joker, alongside Oscar winner Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born).
Joker: Folie À Deux finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham Asylum, awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While grappling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon love but also discovers the music that’s always been inside him. The film also stars Oscar nominees Brendan Gleeson (The Banshees of Inisherin) and Catherine Keener (Get Out, Capote), with Zazie Beetz reprising her role from the original Joker.
Initially, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this film. The lead-up, including the trailer, left me anticipating something dark and disturbing. However, by the time I left the cinema, I was deeply affected by how well-crafted it was. Folie À Deux carries the same intensity as the original, and from start to finish, it captivates. Phoenix is once again outstanding as Arthur Fleck/Joker—you simply cannot take your eyes off him. Lady Gaga, in her role as Fleck’s love interest, is equally compelling, perfectly fitting the part of a character who is as disturbed as she is intriguing.
The fact that this is a musical film is used effectively by Phillips to drive the story. It’s a sad, gripping exploration of Fleck/Joker’s mental state. There are moments that will leave you entertained and others that make you reflect on the weight of it all.
Produced by Phillips, Oscar nominee Emma Tillinger Koskoff, and Joseph Garner, with Lady Gaga serving as music consultant, the film will undoubtedly provoke mixed reviews. However, in terms of its craftsmanship, Joker: Folie À Deux stands out with its exceptional cinematography, production value, and, of course, its leading actors.
Joker: Folie À Deux will be released worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, premiering exclusively in theaters on October 4, 2024, with an international release starting on October 2, 2024.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Caroline Russo