Joker: Folie à Deux—Because One Joker Wasn’t Chaotic Enough (trailer)
Prepare yourselves, folks, because the clown prince of not-quite-crime is back, and this time, he’s bringing a date! Joker: Folie à Deux is here to remind us that nothing says “healthy relationship goals” quite like a shared descent into musical madness. Todd Phillips, the mastermind behind the original Joker (2019), is doubling down on the psychological mayhem, but now with a melodic twist—because when you’ve already turned Gotham into a dystopian nightmare, why not add a few show tunes?
Joaquin Phoenix returns as Arthur Fleck, the man who laughs and occasionally commits spontaneous acts of televised violence. But don’t expect him to turn into the criminal genius we all know from the comics—Phillips assures us that Arthur is more of a “nihilistic symbol” than a mastermind. In other words, he’s still the same guy who dances awkwardly down staircases but now has an entire cult following him around, ready to free him from Arkham State Hospital. Who knew that all it took to start a movement was a few unsettling giggles and a clown suit?
Joining him on this wild ride is none other than Lady Gaga, trading in her poker face for something a bit more… unhinged. Gaga steps into the role of Harley Quinn—or Harleen “Lee” Quinzel, as she’s known before she swaps her sensible therapist shoes for roller skates and a mallet. This Harley isn’t just a sidekick; she’s Arthur’s partner in musical crime, as the two spiral into a symphony of delusions and questionable life choices. If you thought their relationship was dysfunctional in the comics, just wait until you see them in full Broadway mode.
Zazie Beetz returns as Sophie Dumond, the woman Arthur sort-of-dated in his head, because why stop at one delusional romance when you can have two? Meanwhile, Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener join the fun, with Keener playing Arthur’s lawyer. Because even nihilistic anti-heroes need someone to argue that stabbing people on live TV is just performance art. And let’s not forget about Harvey Dent—yes, Gotham’s future Two-Face is here, though presumably still in one piece for now. Played by Harry Lawtey, Dent’s all set to prosecute Arthur, proving that Gotham’s legal system is somehow still functioning despite the clown-based chaos.
Joker: Folie à Deux is set to premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, where it’s competing for the Golden Lion. Because why not aim for prestige while unleashing a musical psychological thriller about a murderous clown and his equally deranged girlfriend? The film hits theaters this October, just in time for you to question your life choices—and your taste in musicals.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what would happen if La La Land collided with One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Joker: Folie à Deux might just be the chaotic cinematic experience you’ve been waiting for. Grab your popcorn, and maybe a therapist on speed dial—you’re going to need both.
