Detailed Summary
Arthur Fleck at Arkham – A New Descent Begins
Arthur Fleck is institutionalized at Arkham State Hospital, awaiting trial for the murders he committed two years earlier. His lawyer argues that his Joker persona stems from dissociative identity disorder.
Love and Musical Madness – Arthur Meets Lee
In music therapy, Arthur encounters Harleen “Lee” Quinzel, who claims a tragic past and admiration for Joker. Their bond deepens through musical fantasies, with scenes where they imagine life as a musical duo.
Betrayal Ignites—Lee’s Lies Revealed
During Arthur’s trial, his lawyer exposes Lee’s true background: she’s a privileged psych student, not a troubled inmate, and lied to get close to him.
Courtroom Breakdown—Renouncing the Joker
Arthur dismisses his lawyer and represents himself. Deeply affected by a tearful witness, he mocks Arkham guards on the stand, sparking their violent backlash and witnessing his friend Ricky killed.
Climax—Bomb, Escape, and Rejection
Arthur renounces the Joker identity, taking full responsibility for his actions. Lee walks out. As he’s found guilty, a bomb detonates outside the courthouse; Arthur briefly escapes, meets Lee who rejects him for abandoning the Joker fantasy, then is recaptured.
Final Betrayal—Stabbed in the Dark
Back in Arkham, a young admirer approaches Arthur, tells him a joke, then stabs him fatally. The assailant carves a smile into his face—echoing Joker’s iconic grin—implying Arthur’s death births the next Joker.
⇢ VIRAL RIGHT NOW
Movie Ending
Arthur, in a rare moment of clarity, rejects the Joker persona and confesses to all his sins—including the previously unknown murder of his mother—during his trial. This courageous act of self-responsibility costs him Lee’s affection. As the guilty verdict is read, a bomb explodes outside the courthouse, briefly freeing him. But upon encountering Lee, she coldly rejects him, saying their connection was rooted in fantasy.
Arthur returns to Arkham, where he is stabbed to death by a young inmate who idolized the Joker. The killer carves a permanent grin into his face while Arthur bleeds out—symbolizing the Joker’s legacy continuing through this new killer, potentially foreshadowing the later Joker we know.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, there are no post-credits scenes. The film ends definitively with the credits. However, two musical performances play over them: Lady Gaga’s cover of “That’s Life” and Joaquin Phoenix’s cover of “True Love Will Find You in the End”.
Type of Movie
A daring blend of psychological drama and jukebox musical, Joker: Folie à Deux reinvents the sequel as a tragic, emotionally raw exploration of shared madness (“folie à deux”)—a risky creative choice that earns it both admiration and critique.
Cast
- Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck / Joker
- Lady Gaga as Harleen “Lee” Quinzel (Harley Quinn)
- Catherine Keener as Lawyer Maryanne Stewart
- Harry Lawtey as Assistant District Attorney Harvey Dent
- Leigh Gill as Gary Puddles
- Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond
- Additional supporting cast in Arkham and courtroom roles.
Film Music and Composer
- Composer: Hildur Guðnadóttir returns with a haunting score interwoven with musical numbers.
- Soundtrack: Released October 4, 2024, it features 15 cover songs and one original track by Gaga (“Folie à Deux”).
- Number Highlights: Cover renditions include “Get Happy,” “That’s Life,” “For Once in My Life,” “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” among others.
Filming Locations
Primarily set within Arkham and Gotham’s courthouse, the locations are more psychological than geographical, reflecting inner landscapes rather than real-world places.
⇢ KEEP UP WITH THE TREND
Awards and Nominations
As of now, information on awards or nominations hasn’t surfaced in sources. It’s likely still early for accolades coverage.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Musical Risk: Todd Phillips turned the gritty drama into a musical—a bold, bold move.
- Gaga & Phoenix Collaboration: Both contributed to soundtrack production.
- Composer Continuity: Hildur Guðnadóttir builds on themes from the first film, adapting them to musical contexts.
Inspirations and References
- Inspired by the concept of shared mental illness (“folie à deux”)—a psychological condition where delusions are shared by two people.
- Visually, echoes of The Dark Knight appear: carved smile, courthouse chaos, fan masked mimicry.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
No confirmed alternate endings or deleted scenes are reported in available sources.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Not based on a specific book—it continues the standalone interpretation of Joker from 2019, not tied to comics. No differences to outline.
⇢ MOST SHARED RIGHT NOW
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Lee revealing her false identity during Arthur’s trial.
- Arthur’s renunciation of the Joker persona in court.
- The courthouse bombing and ensuing escape.
- Final stabbing and the carving of the killer’s grin.
Iconic Quotes
- “We were never going anywhere.” — Lee, when rejecting Arthur.
- Arthur’s courtroom line: “I renounce Joker.” (Paraphrased to avoid direct script quoting.)
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Subtle nods to The Dark Knight: the carved smile, masked followers, burned face of Harvey Dent.
- Musical staging and shadow sequences hint at psychological duality and theatrical fantasy.
Trivia
- Gaga’s screen time was relatively short (~33 minutes), despite major billing.
- Title “folie à deux” directly refers to shared delusion.
- First Joker film also didn’t have a post-credits scene—sequel follows suit.
Why Watch?
If you’re in the mood for a genre-bending, soul-stirring ride that turns a comic-book icon into a tragic musical, this is your ticket. It redefines the sequel, taking you deep into the psyche—not just Gotham’s.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Hangover (2009)
- Old School (2003)
- Road Trip (2000)
- Joker (2019)