Joker: Folie à Deux Ending Explained: The long-anticipated sequel to Joker (2019), Joker: Folie à Deux, has finally hit theaters. Joaquin Phoenix returns in his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck, this time alongside Lady Gaga, who plays a new version of Harley Quinn. The film has left audiences polarised, stuck between the potential for a masterpiece and a chaotic blend of confused narration.
If you haven't watched Joker: Folie à Deux, be warned—this article contains major spoilers for the sequel.
What is the story of Joker: Folie à Deux?
Along with the less-than-harmonious musical numbers, it seems like Phoenix and Gaga's stellar performances were overshadowed by a fragmented screenplay, leaving fans disillusioned. After years of anticipation, the sequel failed to meet the towering expectations set by the original, leading to a sense of disappointment.
Speaking of Fleck’s character arc, Todd Phillips told Empire, "This unwilling, unwitting symbol now paying for the crimes of the first film, but at the same time finding the only thing he ever wanted, which was love. That’s always what he’s been about, even though he’s been pushed and pulled in all these directions. So we tried to just make the most pure version of that."
The filmmakers leaned into this narrative throughout the sequel, embracing a wild blend of absurdity and drama.
The second installment of the Joker franchise kicks off with Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) locked up in Arkham State Hospital, waiting for his trial for the crimes committed as the Joker in the first film. Under the watch of the cruel guard Jackie (Brendan Gleeson), the inmates endure constant abuse. During a visit from his lawyer (Catherine Keener), Arthur's world takes a turn when he encounters fellow patient Lee Quinzel (Lady Gaga), marking the introduction of this universe's take on Harley Quinn. Their unexpected meeting hints at a fascinating but chaotic relationship dynamic ahead.
Who killed Arthur Fleck and could there be a new Joker?
In the same interview, Todd also said, "Arthur clearly is not a criminal mastermind. He was never that." Perhaps we should have paid closer attention to what he was saying.
True to his words, Joker: Folie à Deux director left audiences walking out with more questions than answers. Firstly, Todd Phillips, why would you do that to us? Just when we thought we were getting a gritty musical masterpiece, out of nowhere, some random inmate swoops in and stabs Arthur Fleck (a.k.a. Joker) while the guy's cackling like it’s a stand-up show gone wrong. And now we’re left asking: Who killed Joker?
In a shocking scene, a prison guard informs Arthur that he has a visitor, setting the stage for what seems to be a pivotal moment. However, the atmosphere quickly shifts as Arthur is led down a silent hallway, where he is brutally stabbed multiple times in the stomach. As he bleeds out on the floor, his killer leans against the wall, laughing maniacally. In a chilling nod to the infamous "Glasgow smile," the killer uses a shiv to carve a grotesque grin into his face, evoking memories of Heath Ledger's iconic portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight.
The real twist might be on us this time!
Bonus: Does Two-Face appear in Joker 2?
In the film, Harvey Dent is portrayed by Harry Lawtey, and his character experiences a car bomb explosion. Instead of the dramatic reveal one might expect, the camera only shows minor injuries on one side of his face, leaving viewers in suspense about the extent of the damage. This scene raises questions about whether he has truly become Two-Face. This lack of clarity invites speculation among audiences about his fate and potential evolution into his darker alter ego.
Will there be a Joker 3?
Harley tells Arthur that she’s pregnant with his child after a brief encounter in jail, but it’s unclear if she’s telling the truth. If she is, her daughter could become the main Harley Quinn in this universe. Meanwhile, the future of Harvey Dent/Two-Face in the franchise is still uncertain. The climax could just be a nod to Ledger’s iconic Joker performance, or the creators might be suggesting that Arthur Fleck is the reason for the rise of multiple Jokers in this story.
As for the potential for a new Joker, the ending teases a transformation rather than a clear successor, hinting at the complex legacy of the character and his influence in the DC Universe.
Joker: Folie à Deux is now showing in cinemas.