Joker: Folie à Deux tries too hard to be something it's not—and that’s a musical, apparently. Seriously, they should have just named it Joker: The Musical and at least we’d know what we’re getting into. The film attempts to mix psychological drama with musical numbers, but instead of an innovative blend of genres, we get an awkward mishmash that doesn’t work.
The biggest disappointment is how far it falls from the original Joker (2019). While the first movie was dark, gritty, and delivered a powerful performance from Joaquin Phoenix, this sequel feels like a watered-down caricature of itself. The intense, raw emotion that made Arthur Fleck's descent into madness so captivating is completely absent here. Instead, we get bizarre musical scenes that feel out of place and pull us out of whatever tension the film tries to build.
What’s even more frustrating is how far it veers from the source material. Harley Quinn is introduced as a mental case right from the start, but in the original story, she’s supposed to be a psychiatrist who falls in love with the Joker. This crucial character development is completely ignored, making her feel like a shell of the iconic character she’s supposed to be. Instead of watching her slow, tragic descent, we’re handed a watered-down version with no backstory.
Lady Gaga, while undeniably talented as a singer, just doesn’t have the acting chops for this role. Her portrayal of Harley Quinn feels forced, unnatural, and lacking any real depth. It’s clear that she should stick to music, where her true talent shines. Fans of the character were left frustrated, and it's hard not to agree—her performance felt like an unfortunate miscast, and the chemistry between her and Phoenix was virtually non-existent.
Joker: Folie à Deux doesn't even come close to capturing the brilliance of the first film. If you’re expecting the same level of psychological depth and intensity, you’re in for a letdown. Instead, you’ll get something that feels more like Joker: The Musical—and not in a good way.