Heidi Myers

At its core, Joker: Folie à Deux promises a deep exploration of a tortured psyche wrapped in the dark allure of the macabre. However, while the show boasts an intriguing premise and intense character study, it falters under the weight of its own ambition—primarily due to the excessive use of music that detracts from rather than enhances the narrative. The plot revolves around Joker played by Joaquin Phoenix, a complex and haunted individual grappling with his inner demons and traumas. Through a mix of harrowing dialogue and grotesque visuals, the musical sets up a stage for a gripping psychological journey. Moments of brilliance emerge when the narrative allows silence to speak, highlighting Jokers’s internal conflict, fantasy and descent into madness. But therein lies the problem. The sheer volume of musical numbers overwhelms any chance for meaningful introspection or impactful silence. Nearly every emotion and plot development is sung—often repetitively—diluting the story’s potency. Songs that start off haunting quickly overstay their welcome, with lyrics that attempt to convey depth but instead feel redundant. Unfortunately, the powerful moments of emotional connection are often lost in the musical’s relentless drive to express everything through song. This isn’t to say the music lacks merit. Lady Gaga slays as always. The vocal performances are strong in true and consistent lady Gaga fashion delivering a genuine emotional punch. However, there was little on screen chemistry between the actors for me. Unfortunately, even the most powerful voice can’t save the experience from becoming monotonous. Overall, Joker: Folie à Deux is a mixed bag. The story line and plot was a wonderful continuation of the Joker prequel, as it offers compelling glimpses into the psyche of Joker, but stumbles with its insistence on turning every scene into song. With some restraint and a keener focus on balancing music and narrative, this could have been a standout film. As it stands, it’s a captivating, if over-sung, dive into darkness of mental illness. Joaquin Phoenix delivered a stellar performance leaving me feeling his characters palpable anguish and the haunting emotion resonated.