Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux takes a deeper into the psyche of Arthur Fleck, offering a new perspective on the character and his evolution into the iconic villain, the Joker. The sequel flips the narrative of its predecessor, which ended with Arthur’s brutal murder of Murray Franklin on live television. This act ignites a revolution across Gotham City, leading to the tragic deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne. The first Joker film ended ambiguously, with no direct setup for a sequel. However, Folie à Deux takes a high-budget musical turn, further exploring Arthur’s transformation and introducing Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn, all while providing new insight into their complex relationship.
Despite the first film suggesting the possibility of a young Batman in a shared DC universe, Folie à Deux dismantles any expectation of a typical Batman-Joker confrontation. The film paints a very different picture of Arthur Fleck’s relationship with the Joker identity, especially in the way his persona evolves during his trial. The movie reveals that Arthur ultimately abandons his Joker alter-ego when his psyche is pushed to the brink, and the audience witnesses a more vulnerable, guilt-ridden side of the character. The ending avoids a typical post-credits scene, leaving a bleak conclusion to the story and hinting that the franchise may not continue in its current form.
Joker 2 Ending Explained
As Arthur Fleck faces trial, he taps into his Joker persona, a defense mechanism to cope with his guilt and fear of the system. His Joker identity allows him to mock authority, and in doing so, he gains the support of his followers. Yet, as the trial progresses, Arthur becomes increasingly burdened by the weight of his actions. In a pivotal moment, he drops the Joker persona, confessing his crimes to the judge and jury. This shift marks the beginning of his downfall, setting in motion the tragic events that ultimately lead to his death.
Arthur’s fate mirrors that of his previous victim, Murray Franklin. He is killed by an inmate at Arkham State Prison who becomes obsessed with the Joker. This new Joker views Arthur as an obstacle to fully embodying the role of the villain, interpreting Arthur’s abandonment of his persona as an opportunity to seize it for himself. This marks a turning point in the Joker universe, as Arthur Fleck becomes both the first victim of the Joker’s legacy and his own final victim.
The Young Inmate’s Fatal Joke
The inmate who kills Arthur at Arkham delivers a cruel twist, echoing the words Arthur used before killing Murray Franklin in the first film. The inmate tells a joke about a clown and a psychopath meeting in a bar, only for the psychopath to disappoint the clown and finish with a chilling promise: “I’ll get you what you f*cking deserve.” This moment, accompanied by the inmate’s violent stabbing of Arthur, underscores the tragic irony of the situation. Arthur, who once sought vengeance and justice, meets his end in the same way he once dealt with his own enemies—at the hands of a stranger who misunderstood and idolized him.
The New Joker and a Broken Legacy
Joker: Folie à Deux not only introduces a new character who assumes the Joker mantle but also critiques the culture of violence and idolization that surrounds the character. The film deliberately sets up a stark contrast between Arthur Fleck and the new Joker. This Joker adopts a Glasgow Smile, paying homage to Heath Ledger’s portrayal in The Dark Knight, but his motivations and approach to chaos are entirely different. This change reflects the broader shifts in the Joker universe and signals that Arthur Fleck’s journey was never about continuing as the iconic villain.
Arthur’s relationship with Lee Quinn further emphasizes his struggle with his identity. Lee falls in love not with Arthur, but with the idea of the Joker—a destructive, larger-than-life figure. Once Arthur admits the truth during his trial, Lee deserts him, recognizing that the person she thought she loved no longer exists. Despite Arthur’s efforts to reconcile, including turning down help from his followers, Lee leaves Gotham, understanding that Arthur’s fate is sealed. This abandonment marks the emotional culmination of Arthur’s journey, as his desperate need for validation leads him down a path of self-destruction.
The Explosion and Its Aftermath
The explosion at the courthouse occurs shortly after Arthur confesses, adding a layer of complexity to the film’s message. While it may seem like a last-ditch attempt to save Arthur from the inevitable punishment that awaits him, the explosion instead reveals the true nature of Joker’s followers. They do not care about Arthur Fleck as a person; they are merely seeking an outlet for their chaotic desires. The explosion’s aftermath underscores the emptiness of their revolution—Arthur could have easily died, yet his followers are more interested in violence than the man behind the mask.
Arthur’s tragic trajectory is further illuminated by his final interactions with the Arkham inmate who kills him. This new Joker embodies the essence of the concept—an anonymous figure who adopts the role of the villain without truly understanding the complexities of Arthur’s struggle. In the end, Arthur Fleck’s journey was not about continuing the Joker legacy but about giving rise to a new version of chaos and destruction, one that transcends his original persona.
Joker: Folie à Deux’s Critique of Violence
Joker: Folie à Deux challenges the sensationalized violence that its predecessor arguably embraced. While Joker portrayed Arthur’s actions as a form of cathartic release, Folie à Deux critiques the romanticization of his journey. Arthur Fleck’s actions were never justified, and the film makes it clear that his pursuit of vengeance and notoriety comes at a steep price. The movie dissects his Joker persona, showing that Arthur Fleck could never truly escape his darker side. His eventual death serves as the ultimate consequence of his actions.
In a powerful moment early in the film, Arthur is depicted fighting against his literal shadow in an animated musical sequence. This shadow represents the Joker, the dark and guilt-ridden side of Arthur that he struggles to control. However, no matter how hard Arthur tries, he cannot escape this darker persona, and his descent into madness ultimately leads to his demise. This internal conflict mirrors his external struggles with Lee and his followers, who fail to recognize or accept his humanity.
