A Dance of Madness in “Joker: Folie à Deux”

What Happens When a Man Can’t Live up to What Society Wants Him To Be?

Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!!

Delusion. Madness. Insanity. “Joker: Folie à Deux,” released in theaters on Oct. 4, 2024, is not your average movie—it’s a complex and gripping exploration of how society perceives and perpetuates violence. Directed by Todd Philips, the film masterfully blurs the line between reality and fantasy, forcing viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about public perception, peer pressure and mental illness. It is truly a cinematic masterpiece that delves into the very mechanisms of society that idolize violence, glorifying figures like “The Joker” character. 

At its core, the film continues to follow Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) who, after the events of the first movie, has become consumed by the shadow of “The Joker.” This metaphor is masterfully presented at the beginning of the film, setting the tone and foreshadowing the rest of the movie. Arthur is no longer just a man struggling with mental illness; he’s a reflection of the monstrous shadow that society has created, and it is one too large for him to control. This overall theme is supported by the haunting track “We Three (My Echo, My Shadow, and Me),” which plays throughout the film, further presenting the question of Arthur’s identity. Is he truly “The Joker,” or is he just the creation of something that society forced him to be?

A notable highlight of this movie is the presence of Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga). Yet, her addition to the cast is made to project something deeper, as she symbolizes the peer pressure of society. Throughout the film, she projects delusions of grandeur onto Arthur, encouraging him to fully embrace the identity of “The Joker.” The audience, too, expects him to become the psychotic villain we know and love, the Clown Prince of Crime, Batman’s nemesis. But when the film does not follow this expectation, and Arthur cannot live up to his shadow, Quinn abandons him. In this way, she becomes a reflection of how we, as a society, use others for our own personal gain—and then dispose of them when they fail to meet our expectations and the fantasy that we’ve projected onto them.

“I liked how everything came full circle, really bringing Arthur’s story to a fitting end,” sophomore Elsa Bykova said. “In the first film, before he becomes ‘The Joker,’ he’s abandoned by society. And in the second film, after he rejects ‘The Joker,’ he’s abandoned once again. It’s a big reflection of his tragic journey, and makes me sympathize with him, despite everything he’s done.”

Ultimately, “Joker: Folie à Deux” is a bold critique of society’s fascination with violence and chaos, exposing the dangerous cycle of idolization and the consequences associated with it—the most notable being Arthur’s death. Phillips does not shy away from addressing the way “The Joker” as a cultural phenomenon has been interpreted, sensationalized and misunderstood. “Joker: Folie à Deux” is not the story of the Joker we know, but of Arthur Fleck, a tragic victim of a society eager to exploit and discard him once he no longer fits their narrative. In this way, the film forces us to confront our role in creating and perpetuating these destructive myths. 

<Star Rating>

Themes: ★★★★★

Acting: ★★★★★

Cinematography:  ★★★★★

Overall: ★★★★★