Joker 2 (2024) Review: A Daring Sequel or a Missed Opportunity?

The highly anticipated sequel to Joker (2019), Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), has finally made its way to theaters. Directed once again by Todd Phillips and starring the incomparable Joaquin Phoenix, who reprises his role as Arthur Fleck/Joker, the movie takes a daring, unexpected turn. This time, it’s not just a psychological character study — it’s also a musical, featuring the powerhouse Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. But does this bold creative decision work, or does it fall flat? In this Joker 2 review, we’ll explore the movie’s highs and lows, and try to unpack whether it’s a worthy successor to its acclaimed predecessor or simply a misfire that aimed too high.

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The Journey from Joker to Joker: Folie à Deux

The original Joker (2019) was a sensation. It shocked the world, both critically and commercially, with its smoldering portrayal of Arthur Fleck’s descent into madness. Joaquin Phoenix’s performance was captivating, drawing audiences into a world of violence and nihilism that felt deeply reflective of societal disillusionment. The movie grossed over a billion dollars globally, won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, and garnered an impressive 11 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. With success on this scale, a sequel was inevitable. Yet, Joker: Folie à Deux takes a completely different approach — one that many fans may not have expected or wanted.

A Musical? Why?!

When the news broke that Joker 2 would be a musical, it immediately sparked a wave of confusion and skepticism. Why would a sequel to a gritty psychological thriller about one of DC’s darkest villains need to include musical numbers? While director Todd Phillips and co-writer Scott Silver have cited classic musicals as inspiration, this decision feels less like a creative risk and more like a disjointed experiment.

Lady Gaga, who plays Harley Quinn, takes on most of the musical heavy lifting, delivering performances that are reminiscent of the glitz and glamor of A Star is Born (2018), but Joaquin Phoenix’s singing feels stilted and out of place. The songs themselves are scattered throughout the movie, some of them completely unnecessary and out of sync with the narrative. Anytime Gaga sings, the movie pulls you back in, but these moments are far too fleeting in the grand scheme of things.

Performance Breakdown: The Good, The Bad, and The Disappointing

Joaquin Phoenix: A Master at Work

Joaquin Phoenix once again gives a phenomenal performance, continuing to embody Arthur Fleck’s fractured psyche with chilling accuracy. His portrayal remains one of the film’s few saving graces, as he swings effortlessly between quiet desperation and explosive anger. His physical transformation is also notable; Phoenix has slimmed down even further, and the sight of his bones jutting out only adds to the unsettling atmosphere.

Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn: Hit or Miss?

Lady Gaga is no stranger to musical performances, but her take on Harley Quinn is divisive. While her vocal prowess is undeniable, her portrayal of Harley Quinn lacks the chaos and charisma that fans have come to expect from the character. Her performance feels flat, her expressions never quite matching the manic energy that makes Harley Quinn so captivating in other iterations. Simply put, Gaga’s Harley Quinn and Phoenix’s Joker don’t have the same chemistry, and this ultimately hinders the emotional core of the film.

Gaga’s Song and Dance Numbers

Musicals thrive on emotional connection, but the song-and-dance sequences in Joker: Folie à Deux feel like awkward interruptions rather than integral parts of the story. While some numbers hit the mark — particularly those featuring Gaga’s solo performances — others feel painfully out of place and disjointed from the dark themes the movie tries to explore.

Storytelling in Joker: Folie à Deux

The narrative in Joker 2 picks up where the first film left off, with Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham Asylum. But what starts as a continuation of his journey into madness soon devolves into an unfocused series of musical interludes and courtroom scenes. The plot meanders, failing to find a clear direction. Fleck’s trial and interactions with the court, including a memorable but undercut performance from Gary Puddles, are sporadic and inconsistent, giving the audience little to latch onto.

At the heart of the movie is the relationship between Joker and Harley Quinn, but unlike previous depictions of this dynamic duo, the connection feels shallow and underdeveloped. Their romance — if you can call it that — is more about spectacle than substance, and it never quite convinces the audience that this is a relationship worth rooting for.

Visuals and Cinematic Allusions

One of the few areas where Joker: Folie à Deux shines is in its visual direction. Phillips fills the screen with references to classic films, including nods to Modern Times and The Band Wagon. However, these allusions often feel more like an exercise in self-indulgence rather than meaningful contributions to the story.

Cinematic Nods to the Past

Phillips seems to revel in peppering the film with cinematic references, from Fred Astaire’s dance numbers to Chaplin’s silent film brilliance. Yet these moments serve as more of a distraction than a compliment to the narrative. It’s as if the director is daring the audience to acknowledge the references without providing a clear reason for their inclusion.

Why Joker 2 Falls Short

In the end, Joker: Folie à Deux simply doesn’t deliver on the expectations set by its predecessor. Fans of the original film will likely find themselves disappointed by the meandering plot, inconsistent performances, and the bizarre decision to turn the movie into a musical. While Joaquin Phoenix’s acting remains as compelling as ever, the lack of chemistry between him and Lady Gaga, combined with the unnecessary song-and-dance numbers, leaves Joker 2 feeling like a missed opportunity.

Pros and Cons Table

Pros	Cons
Joaquin Phoenix’s stellar performance	Lady Gaga’s underwhelming portrayal of Harley
A few strong musical numbers by Gaga	Unnecessary musical format
Dark, visually striking cinematography	Meandering plot with little direction
	Lacks chemistry between Joker and Harley

Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity

Joker: Folie à Deux is, in many ways, the antithesis of its predecessor. Where the original Joker succeeded in creating a tightly woven psychological thriller, Folie à Deux struggles under the weight of its own ambitions. Turning the Joker’s story into a musical was a risky decision, and unfortunately, it didn’t pay off. While there are moments of brilliance, particularly in Joaquin Phoenix’s performance, they are few and far between, and the movie ultimately falls flat.

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More Reviews and Opinions on Joker: Folie à Deux

If you’re looking for more reviews and opinions on Joker: Folie à Deux, check out the following sources. And remember, all of these details and more can always be accessed through the official movie page on What’s After the Movie, where we compile the latest reviews, quizzes, and additional insights for you:

• Metacritic: A compilation of critic reviews and user ratings.
• Rotten Tomatoes: See how Joker 2 stacks up according to the Tomatometer and audience reviews.
• IMDb: User ratings and detailed movie information.
• Media Stinger: Find out if Joker 2 has any post-credit scenes or stingers.
• TMDb: Community ratings, reviews, and more.
• Wikipedia: Learn more about the making of Joker: Folie à Deux.
• JustWatch: See where you can stream or watch Joker 2 online.
• Box Office Mojo: Track the box office performance of Joker: Folie à Deux.