Five years after the release of 2019's 'Joker,' the highly anticipated sequel 'Joker: Folie à Deux' has finally hit theaters. Set in the aftermath of the original, the film continues Arthur Fleck's journey as he faces trial for the crimes committed in the first movie. With the film now out, many are debating the controversial ending, and if you're eager to know how it unfolds, read on. Be warned, major spoilers for 'Joker: Folie à Deux' are ahead.
GQ has reviewed the film and dissected its ending. A pivotal plot point in the sequel revolves around Arthur's courtroom trial. During the closing arguments, led by District Attorney Harvey Dent (played by Harry Lawtey), Arthur (Joaquin Phoenix) experiences a revelation and confesses to his actions. He refutes the notion that the Joker is a separate entity and admits his guilt, which deeply upsets Lady Gaga's character, Harleen "Lee" Quinzel, who leaves the courtroom. When Arthur is found guilty, a bomb explodes in the courthouse, providing him an opportunity to escape with two men dressed as Jokers. The explosion also injures Dent, transforming him into Two-Face.
Following this, Arthur flees to the iconic staircase near his apartment to find Lee. However, she does not welcome him with open arms but instead rejects him. Lee had hoped Arthur would embrace his Joker persona and plead insanity to evade murder charges, allowing them to flee together. Disillusioned, Lee loses interest in Arthur, reverting him to the sad, solitary figure we first encountered in the original movie.
Later in the film, Arthur is returned to Arkham and meets a fellow inmate in a hallway. This inmate offers to tell Arthur a joke before brutally stabbing him to death. As Arthur lies dying on the floor, the inmate uses the knife to carve a smile onto his face. This act, as theorized by GQ and others, suggests that Arthur may not have been the true "real" Joker.
Both the original 'Joker' movie and its sequel are not bound by any previous Joker media. Writer-director Todd Phillips has openly discussed deviating from the source material to craft a unique narrative for the film series. These movies exist within the DC Elseworlds universe, meaning they operate outside the established DC canon.
Some critics and fans have expressed that 'Folie à Deux' feels like a waste of time and a deliberate provocation to viewers, partly due to the revelation that Arthur might not be the "real" Joker. Rolling Stone's review of the film conveyed a message to fans: "Go f**k yourselves."
Another significant reveal in 'Folie à Deux' is when Lee informs Arthur that she is pregnant with his child, according to The Wrap. Whether this is true remains uncertain, as the movie provides no further details.
There is no need to wait for an end-credits scene in 'Folie à Deux,' as the movie does not include one. Additionally, IGN confirms there is no mid-credits scene.
Phillips has indicated that he is likely finished with making DC movies, so fans should not expect a potential 'Joker 3.' However, the film concludes with several unresolved topics that could be explored in a follow-up, such as the existence of a child and whether the person who killed Arthur is the "real" Joker. Fans might also wonder about the future of this universe's version of Harvey Dent/Two-Face, though these questions may never be answered.
'Folie à Deux' had a larger budget than its 2019 predecessor and is expected to perform significantly worse during its opening weekend. Stay tuned to GameSpot for more updates on the film's box office performance.
