Joker: Folie À Deux Trailer Review - Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga’s Unpredictable Sequel

 Joaquin Phoenix & Lady Gaga Reignite Chaos in Joker 2: A Deep Dive into Folie À Deux

The Inmates are Running the Asylum Again
Have you ever seen a movie that made you feel like the director was simply off their rocker? Well, welcome to the world of Joker: Folie À Deux, where Todd Phillips, Joaquin Phoenix, and Lady Gaga tear up the rulebook and start scribbling on napkins. And no, I’m not just being metaphorical. According to some spicy behind-the-scenes gossip, these three were constantly huddled in trailers, ripping apart scripts and rewriting them on the fly—literally. We’ll dive into all of that in a bit, but first, let’s tackle what we can expect from this sequel that’s shaping up to be as chaotic as its characters.

Chaos Behind the Scenes

When Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga sign onto a movie, you know you’re in for a ride. According to Phillips, working with Phoenix is like entering a tunnel where the light is at the beginning, not the end. He’s notorious for his insistence on reworking scenes until they feel just right—and apparently, this time was no different. Reports suggest that scenes were regularly torn apart in Phoenix’s trailer, sometimes with Gaga diving in headfirst, learning her lines only to scrap them the next morning.

Phillips said, “It’s three hours later, and you’re rewriting the film on a napkin,” which honestly sounds like the Joker energy we’ve come to expect. But this wasn’t a one-man show; Gaga held her own. The dynamic between these two actors—one an Academy Award winner for his work in Joker and the other a musical powerhouse and burgeoning screen queen—was electric. Phoenix’s offbeat intensity and Gaga’s immersive method acting seem to have created a unique chemistry, both on and off-screen.

What’s the Plot This Time Around?

Let’s cut to the chase—what is Joker: Folie À Deux all about? The sequel picks up where the 2019 hit Joker left off, with Arthur Fleck facing trial for the live-television murder of a late-night talk show host. Arthur’s descent into madness gets an unexpected twist when he’s incarcerated in Arkham Asylum. Enter Lady Gaga’s character, Harleen “Lee” Quinzel, aka the budding love interest of Gotham’s most infamous clown.

Gaga’s character reportedly finds Arthur during one of the asylum’s musical therapy classes (yep, you read that right—musical therapy). The sparks between them set the foundation for what seems like a twisted love story, peppered with the typical Joker-brand chaos. And this isn’t some idle fan-theory; the trailer suggests as much, showing brief but intense interactions between Arthur and Lee. It’s a romance born in Gotham’s darkest corners, one that’s poised to leave a mark.

Music, Madness, and Musicals

If you think a gritty Joker film set to the backdrop of a musical sounds strange, you’re not alone. But that’s exactly the point. Phillips seems to have intentionally leaned into making a sequel that denies audiences the easy thrills they might expect. Much like how the first Joker was a raw, gritty character study, Folie À Deux appears to double down on subverting expectations.

The movie’s musical aspect serves as a fascinating departure from the first film’s somber tone. Think of it as a big middle finger to the idea that sequels must follow predictable formulas. In fact, it feels like Phillips is actively pushing audiences away from the comforts of standard blockbuster entertainment, opting instead to experiment with blending genres and defying conventions. Some critics have even said that Folie À Deux feels “bad on purpose,” as if the discomfort you feel watching it is part of the art.

Joaquin Phoenix, once again embodying Arthur Fleck, leads a musical number in the asylum. Yes, the man who made us question our societal structures in Joker is now belting out Stevie Wonder’s "For Once in My Life." Don’t worry, it’s all in his head, but it sets the tone for the rest of the film. Lady Gaga, too, gets her musical moment, though Phillips cuts many of her numbers short, focusing instead on the trial scenes that dominate the movie’s narrative.

Is It Worth the Hype?

As much as I love Joaquin Phoenix (I mean, who doesn’t?), there’s something divisive brewing here. Early reviews from critics who saw the film at the Venice Film Festival are, let’s say, mixed. While some appreciate the audacity of Phillips’ direction, others find the movie to be flat-out boring. And believe me, I get it. Watching a film that spends more time debating its own themes than giving you action-packed scenes can be a tough sell for some viewers.

Yet, here’s the twist: Joker: Folie À Deux might just be an anti-sequel. Instead of more of the same, Phillips has leaned into a deeply uncomfortable, almost deliberately agonizing viewing experience. This is blockbuster filmmaking as punishment. It’s not here to make you laugh or feel cathartic about Arthur’s journey; it’s here to poke you in the ribs, reminding you that this story is not supposed to be fun. That said, Phoenix and Gaga’s performances remain electrifying, grounding the film’s surreal atmosphere in tangible emotions.

Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix: The Dream (or Nightmare) Team

For fans of Lady Gaga, her role as Lee is both a treat and a frustration. While she’s fantastic in the moments we get to see her, it’s clear that the film is more focused on Arthur’s descent into madness than on the dynamics of their relationship. Yet, Gaga doesn’t just play second fiddle. Her performance is nuanced, intense, and, like everything she does, undeniably Gaga. She holds her own next to Phoenix, which is no small feat, considering how much he dominates the screen with his erratic energy.

But for those expecting the movie to be a Joker-Harley Quinn love story akin to what we’ve seen in comic books or animated series, temper your expectations. This version of their relationship is dark, twisted, and far removed from the romanticized chaos we’re used to.

In addition to the bold artistic risks and the polarizing musical elements, "Joker: Folie à Deux" has faced criticisms for sidelining one of its most anticipated stars, Lady Gaga, in favor of lengthy courtroom drama scenes. Despite being marketed as a central figure, Gaga's character, Harleen "Lee" Quinzel, is often relegated to the background, leaving many fans disappointed by the limited screen time and underwhelming development of her character. Critics have noted that her potential as both a singer and actress feel criminally underutilized, with many of her musical numbers being abruptly cut short, robbing audiences of the full Gaga experience they were eagerly awaiting. Additionally, some reviewers found the film's pacing painfully slow, with too much time spent relitigating the first film rather than pushing the narrative forward.

Joker 2 Release Date and Final Thoughts

The much-anticipated Joker: Folie À Deux is set for release on October 4, 2024, and whether you’re looking forward to it or not, there’s no denying the film will make waves. With Joaquin Phoenix reprising his Oscar-winning role and Lady Gaga stepping in as his deranged partner, the movie promises to be as unpredictable and polarizing as its predecessor.

Will it live up to the hype? That remains to be seen. But if you’re into films that challenge your expectations, make you uncomfortable, and offer something different than your usual blockbuster fare, Joker: Folie À Deux might just be the cinematic experience you didn’t know you needed.