Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for Joker: Folie a Deux.
One of the most dynamic elements of Joker: Folie a Deux is the combination of bleak realism and glamorous delusion, but the line delineating them is less clear than it first appeared. In DC‘s much-anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Joker, director Todd Phillips dives deeper into the psyche of Arthur Fleck, aka the Joker. As Joker: Folie a Deux unfolds, audiences are left to discern what is genuinely happening and what is a product of Arthur’s fragmented psyche.
Joker: Folie a Deux depicts Arthur Fleck’s criminal trial in the wake of his crimes in Joker. During this, Joaquin Phoenix’s Fleck encounters Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, aka Lee. The resulting narrative explores Arthur Fleck’s troubled mind, raising intriguing questions about the nature of his experiences and relationships, particularly in regard to precisely what in the movie is real or imagined.
What In Joker 2 Is Real Explained
Throughout Joker: Folie a Deux,several key elements anchor the narrative in reality. Though certainly vague in the beginning of the movie, it is likely that Lee is real, as she is depicted interacting with other characters independently of Arthur. There are also some scenes from her perspective, such as her stealing the television and confronting Arthur’s attorney. However, as discussed below, some scenes with Lee are likely not to be real.
Moreover, the film features numerous singing scenes devoid of musical accompaniment, suggesting they are real experiences rather than imaginative constructs. These include some of the early interactions between Arthur and Lee, as well as the tense interview scene. These scenes resonate with a gritty realism that contrasts sharply with more stylized, imagined sequences. These moments capture the stark and often bleak nature of Arthur’s existence in Gotham, underscoring the emotional weight of his journey.
The overall tone of Joker: Folie a Deux leans toward the grim and gritty, maintaining the style of its predecessor. Scenes filled with violence, despair, and stark social commentary seem to be grounded in the film’s reality. For example, Arthur’s interactions with security guards and his attorney.
What In Joker 2 Is In Arthur’s Mind Explained
Many of the more flamboyant and stylized scenes in Joker: Folie a Deux are likely products of Arthur’s imagination or a joint delusion with Lee. This is particularly evident during the variety show segments in which Arthur and Lee perform song and dance numbers. All of these scenes are obviously mounted on constructed soundstages, recalling the era of classic musicals. The dramatic moment where the Joker kills Harvey Dent and the judge during the court scene is also firmly inside Arthur’s mind.
These events carry a heightened sense of theatricality that suggests they are manifestations of Arthur’s chaotic thoughts rather than factual occurrences. The movie even directly references this, when several characters suggest to Arthur that blackouts or seeing bright lights could indicate his failing mental health. The musical numbers inside Arthur’s mind are typically transitioned to using a blackout edit, before bright stage lights appear for the lavish stage numbers.
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This stylistic choice reinforces the idea that these moments are internal fantasies rather than events taking place in the external world. However, there are sequences that maintain a gritty tone yet are unmistakably part of Arthur’s psyche. One notable example is his song and dance number in Arkham after watching Harvey Dent’s call for Arthur’s execution on television. Although the scene retains a semblance of realism, the manner in which it unfolds and its abrupt ending suggests it is an expression warped by Arthur’s perspective.
What In Joker 2 Is Left Up To The Viewer
As much as Joker: Folie a Deux attempts to delineate between reality and imagination, there are elements that remain intentionally vague, inviting viewers to engage in their own interpretations. One of the most ambiguous sequences is the intimate encounter between Arthur and Lee when Arthur is locked in solitary confinement in Arkham. Lee claims that the guards allowed her to see him, which seems very far-fetched. It raises questions about the reliability of the Joker as a narrator, throwing the entire movie’s events into question.
This ambiguity adds depth to Arthur’s character, as it forces audiences to confront the reality of his existence. How could Lee, seemingly supportive and understanding, manage to convince the guards to allow her to see him? The film does not provide answers, instead opting to immerse viewers in Arthur’s disoriented perspective where logic is often warped by his mental illness.
Arthur’s interactions with Lee become symbolic of his longing for acceptance and love in a world that has consistently rejected him. By leaving the details ambiguous, the film challenges audiences to reflect on their own perceptions of reality, illusion, and the nuanced nature of mental illness. Joker: Folie a Deux serves as an intensive character study that allows viewers to have a similarly confused perspective on reality as the eponymous villain.
