Joker: Folie à Deux, according to writer-director Todd Phillips, is not a critique of fan entitlement or toxic fandom. In a recent interview, Phillips clarified that the sequel instead delves into the consequences faced by an individual who is given a title they never truly desired. Specifically, he refers to how Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck adopts the Joker moniker, finding significance and purpose in an otherwise bleak existence. This narrative contains spoilers for Joker: Folie à Deux.
Speaking with IGN, Phillips emphasized, "It was never about tackling toxic fandom; rather, it was about exploring what happens when this title is imposed on you... yet it doesn't truly define who you are." Phillips further explained that the film also examines Arthur's reaction in the "worst-case scenario," where Lee (Lady Gaga) reveals her love is solely for Fleck's Joker persona, not the man himself.
In the original Joker film, Arthur admits he doesn't believe in anything and only embraces the Joker persona for its comedic potential. Robert De Niro's character, Murray, suggests the name Joker as a means of belittling and humiliating Arthur, aiming to boost his show's ratings. Arthur retaliates by murdering Franklin on live television.
During the interview, Phillips also defended the 2019 Joker, asserting that it was a "responsible" film by illustrating the impact of violence. "It wasn't glorifying gun use; it was showing, 'Oh my God, this is brutal,'" he explained. "Perhaps the reality of it was what turned some people off."
Phillips aimed to convey a similar message in the sequel, highlighted in a courtroom scene where Arthur cross-examines Gary (Leigh Gill). Gary is traumatized by the violence Arthur displayed in the first film, marking a pivotal moment for Arthur. "Two or three years later in the movie, Gary still can't sleep and hasn't returned to work," Phillips noted. "These effects of violence were something we wanted to address—at least in that scene—though not so much toxic fandom."
The major twist in Folie à Deux reveals Arthur taking responsibility for his crimes and rejecting his Joker persona, leading to Lee abandoning him. This leaves Arthur once again as a lonely, sorrowful figure, never truly being the "real" Joker. Despite earning $120 million worldwide, Folie à Deux falls short of the billion-dollar success of the 2019 film, a commercial performance the sequel was never expected to match or exceed.
While the sequel might not achieve the same commercial or critical acclaim, Phillips and Phoenix likely aren't too concerned, given their substantial earnings from the first film. Phillips reportedly made over $100 million from the first movie due to his contract structure, and Phoenix won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Joker, with the film also nominated for Best Picture.
For deeper insights into Folie à Deux, explore GameSpot's analysis of the film's shocking conclusion and delve into what might have gone wrong behind the scenes.
