Joker 2 ending: Director Todd Phillips has addressed the shocking ending of ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’, which sees the film end with Joker’s unexpected death. The sequel, which stirred mixed reactions and had a slow box office opening, left fans puzzled, prompting Phillips to explain the creative choice behind the climax.
Todd Phillips on Joker: Folie à Deux shocking ending
The second 'Joker' movie starts with Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) in Arkham State Hospital, awaiting trial for his past crimes. In a surprising twist, after Arthur admits his crimes, he is brutally stabbed in the stomach by another inmate, shocking viewers with the sudden violence.
Speaking about Arthur admitting to all his crimes, Phillips told Entertainment Tonight, “He realised that everything is so corrupt, it’s never going to change, and the only way to fix it is to burn it all down.”
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The director added, “When those guards kill that kid in the [hospital] he realizes that dressing up in makeup, putting on this thing, it’s not changing anything. In some ways, he’s accepted the fact that he’s always been Arthur Fleck; he’s never been this thing that’s been put upon him, this idea that Gotham people put on him, that he represents.”
Joker director talks about Harley Quinn and Joker last scene
Todd also explained Harley Quinn and Joker’s relationship in the sequel. Quinn keeps trying to provoke Arthur and wants his Joker personality to emerge. After Arthur breaks down in the courtroom, Harley realises that there is no Joker anymore.
Phillips shared, “The sad thing is, he’s Arthur, and nobody cares about Arthur. [She’s] realizing, ‘I’m on a whole other trip, man. You can’t be what I wanted you to be.'”
Todd Phillips addressed fan theories about the scene between Harley and Joker, where many believed it was just in Joker’s imagination. Phillips clarified that the scene was not imaginary, stating, “Actually, really happening," as reported by Variety.