Joker 2 gave us one thing for a DC villain that I don’t think any other movie can do

This article contains spoilers for the film Joker: Folie a Deux.

Joker: Folie a Deux promises to be a disaster in terms of both box office and reception. Bye Joker earned over $1 billion worldwide during its theatrical run, its sequel likely won’t come close to reaching those numbers. Besides, Joker: Folie a Deux has a surprisingly terrible CinemaScore, and it now holds the record for the lowest-rated superhero movie. Of course, the film largely loses its comic inspiration by having Lady Gaga appear as a version of Harley Quinn named Leigh who is more like Punchline, the Joker’s other girlfriend.

The film is also bogged down by a terrible ending. I was never under any illusion that Arthur Fleck was the Joker who would later fight Batman. Any references to the rest of the Batman canon are throwaway Easter eggs. At the same time, the final scenes of the film, in which Arthur is killed by the prisoner who was destined to become the “real” Joker, look less like a Hollywood blockbuster and more like a fan theory from Reddit. A better ending would have either simply killed Arthur without a larger connection to the Joker, or left him locked in Arkham.

However, the decision to delve deeper into Arthur’s psyche could have paid off in the making of a better film. In its current form, Joker: Folie a Deux had some interesting risks, but its execution left me feeling like the whole thing was a missed opportunity.

Joker 2’s portrayal of a DC villain is something I won’t see in any other DC movie.

Arthur Fleck explored in intimate detail

Arthur Fleck is painfully, embarrassingly, and vulnerablely human. Joker: Folie a Deux. While his Joker persona still takes up a significant portion of the film, it’s clear that our protagonist isn’t as enamored with the clown as audiences are, both in real life and in his fictional world. Arthur’s descent into complete madness is not as definitive as Joker it turned out like this. Instead of fully embracing the chaos, he wants what he always wants: understanding. Very few films, especially those based on comic books, delve so deeply into what makes their characters tick.

Having been mistreated throughout his life, Arthur’s sense of identity became dependent on how others perceived him. He shunned those who harmed him and flocked to those who did not. That’s why when he did snap back, he primarily targeted those who opposed him. Then, Arthur found what he thought was acceptance as the Joker. The sequel deconstructed this idea, revealing that Arthur’s desire for chaos and the destruction of social structures was based on his desire for admiration and love, as well as the idea that perhaps he could make a difference.

Arthur can’t decide whether to let the Joker go. throughout the film as he faces the possibility of the death penalty. During his time in Arkham awaiting trial, he developed a friendly relationship with fellow inmate Ricky, who, like him, was a victim of the guards. Unfortunately, Ricky dies protecting Arthur. This pushes the already troubled man to the sad realization that nothing he does can change the oppressive system that has broken him. His decision to give up the Joker directly correlates with the death of a man who treated him well, something he always wanted.

Why Joker 2’s version of Batman is so controversial

While Ricky demonstrates how Arthur makes and loses a connection with someone without any ulterior motives, Lee shows how Arthur forms a connection through lies. After he admits that he is just Arthur, her interest in him wanes because she is attracted to the Joker’s power and fame. This is a bitter realization for a man like Arthur, whose desire to be accepted had previously broken him fundamentally. However, his whole relationship with Lee was always a lie. She had the upper hand the entire time, an interesting twist on the dynamic Joker and Harley fans are accustomed to.

The successive turns of events: Arthur’s confession, Lee’s departure from him, and the murder of the former Joker upon his return to Arkham are shocking to the audience. This is doubly true considering that they came to see the same Arthur leading the angry mob. Joker. Regardless of Phillip’s intentions, the hard truth is that he didn’t give the fans what they wanted. If Joker: Folie a Deux was simply bland, then the controversy surrounding the film wouldn’t have been so intense.

Phillips seems to have made an anti-Joker with continuation. If I had to guess, I think he was making his point about being made the face of a movement or concept. Arthur cannot live up to the expectations his followers place on him. Phillips resents the audience and the ideals that have formed around him. Joker. Lee represents the public who were fascinated by the Joker character. and wanted more anarchy. Arthur is emotionally depressed. Joker: Folie a Deux and ruins his Joker image because he doesn’t want to play the role.

These character journeys are, in a sense, Phillips’s expression of his dissatisfaction with all the fans who took the “wrong” message from Joker. His message is clear: you shouldn’t want to be the Joker.

I’m glad Joker 2 took a risk with its portrayal of the Joker, even if it might not pay off.

DC took a risk with Phillip’s vision

Joker: Folie a Deux made a huge creative turn. In this case, it looks like the bet won’t work out for either DC or audiences. Phillips made the film without much studio oversight, contrary to Marvel’s by-committee production strategy. I’m all for giving writers and directors creative freedom. It’s surprising for a studio to take a chance on such a strange concept as a Joker-themed musical. However, if Warner Bros. or DC Syudios noticed Joker: Folie A Deuxproduction and test screenings completed, this mess could have been avoided.

I’m deeply disappointed that this film misses the mark because even with the deconstruction angle Jokerit could be a powerful statement of identity. Instead of, Joker: Folie a Deux it’s equal parts boring and quirky – not a winning combination.

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