'Joker: Folie a Deux' review: Lady Gaga wasted in hollow sequel
Courtesy of Warner Bros.
One of the most significant shortcomings of Todd Phillips’ visually striking yet ultimately hollow sequel to his billion-dollar hit "Joker" is its bold decision to transform into an MGM-style technicolor fever dream musical. It casts Lady Gaga—one of the world’s biggest pop stars—but fails to provide her with the runway or screen time necessary to showcase her talents; she doesn’t even have her own solo, show-stopping number. This encapsulates "Joker: Folie à Deux," a film that aims high but ultimately falls short, unable to capitalize on its ambitious premise. While I wasn’t particularly fond of the original, I acknowledged its merits and found value in its Martin Scorsese influences. Unfortunately, there’s no such luck here.
In "Joker," Phillips, alongside co-writer Scott Silver, presented Arthur Fleck, a.k.a. the Joker, not as a violent gangster but as a victim of societal neglect—a loner chewed up and spat out by the system. He wasn’t perceived as a menace but rather a misunderstood figure. When he resorts to murder, he is seen by some as a rebel with a cause. This plot resonated with audiences, generating over a billion dollars at the box office, despite my belief that it was the wrong film for the moment and inherently mean-spirited. Given its financial success, a sequel was almost inevitable.
Phillips and Silver deserve credit for attempting to steer their follow-up into new, uncharted territory. They place their damaged anti-hero on trial and create a premise in which Arthur bursts into song whenever he needs a pick-me-up. Unfortunately, the execution falls flat, rendering the film a tedious exercise in redundancy. With a reported budget of around $200 million—bonkers for a film set primarily in just a couple of locations—one can't help but wonder if those resources were squandered.
Set two years after the chaos of "Joker," Arthur (Joaquin Phoenix, reprising his Oscar-winning role) is holed up in Arkham Asylum awaiting trial. The film's first half focuses on his life inside the institution, where he interacts with orderlies in exchange for cigarettes. The latter half unfolds in a courtroom, featuring various characters from the first film testifying against him. Initially, this more contained storyline feels refreshing, but as it drags on—particularly during the tedious courtroom scenes—you begin to wish that the $200 million budget had been utilized more effectively.
The few moments where "Folie à Deux" truly resonates occur when Arthur and Harley Quinn—played by Gaga—share the screen. Gaga brings warmth to her character, but her portrayal is hampered by a lack of independence in the writing. Throughout the film, she flatters Arthur, comforts him, and performs duets like a subdued rendition of “That’s Entertainment.” The film's most compelling moments arise when it momentarily breaks away from its grim narrative, showcasing a cinematic flourish that would make Gene Kelly smile. However, these moments are sparse.
Much of Gaga’s screen time is spent in flirtation with Arthur, and her encouragement for him to keep fighting often veers into obsessive territory, reducing her character to a fangirl rather than a genuine love interest.
Phillips comes close to addressing the implications of the first film, questioning what it means that society still supports Arthur after witnessing his cold-blooded murders. However, just as the film seems poised to explore new allegories or insights, it runs out of steam.
One would expect a film of this scale and ambition to feature grander and more intricate musical numbers. Had the courtroom sequences paused to explore the ramifications of Arthur's actions, "Folie à Deux" might have managed to piece itself back together. Ultimately, this sequel feels more tired and insulting than its predecessor, squandering the talents of a sensational cast, particularly Phoenix and Gaga, who deliver performances in a film that doesn’t know how to utilize them. It seems the joke is on the audience who choose to pay for this disappointing sequel.
Grade: C
JOKER: FOLIE á DEUX is now playing in theaters