MariaEVA Raya

While it has been met with low scores and harsh reviews, I found Joker’s inner turmoil both heart-wrenching and humanizing. The film goes beyond the typical villain narrative and instead explores what happens when society fails to understand and support those suffering from mental health issues. Joaquin Phoenix delivers an Oscar-worthy performance yet again, bringing to life the inner conflict of a man who is punished simply for being misunderstood. A particularly powerful moment occurs when Joker, being dragged to a jail cell, asks, “Why is everyone so upset at me?” This line encapsulates the tragic nature of his existence, as someone continuously mistreated and abused due to society’s lack of preparation and education on mental illness. One of the most powerful aspects of Joker is that it’s a movie about Arthur, not the Joker persona. It seems that’s what has left many viewers upset—just as in the movie, everyone wanted to see the Joker, not Arthur. This desire reflects the same misunderstanding and lack of empathy that the film aims to address. It’s a brilliant commentary on how society prefers to see a villain rather than acknowledge the reality of the person suffering behind the mask. Joker portrays this wonderfully and uses it as a central message. Another standout moment for me was when a character from the first film is called to testifies against him on trial. This character, who once accepted Joker as he truly was, now admits to being afraid of him. Joker’s realization in that moment—that his true self isn’t the monstrous persona society has labeled him as, but rather a person suffering from mental illness—is both profound and heartbreaking. While I will admit there was more singing than I personally prefer, Lady Gaga’s inclusion in the cast perhaps made that inevitable. Despite this, the musical elements did not detract from the emotional depth of the story. For me, this film's portrayal of mental illness was powerful, raw, and sadly accurate. Joker: Folie à Deux is not just a sequel; it is a deep exploration of what happens when society ignores mental illness instead of treating it with the care and attention it deserves.