The Joker sequel previews and commercial gave me the idea that Joker and Hollie (Lady Gaga) was going to set up a movement that would give them power in Gotham City. Joker would be some kind of modern criminal war lord that would have an army of of the disenfranchised brining about more villains such The Panguin, or The Riddler.
However, all that was really happening was seeing Arthur Fleck slipping in and out of a fantasy world with musical numbers with Harley who was hoping to have a life with him. The movie really went back and forth with a show trial and the horrid abusive treatment at the prison.
I was also beginning to think that this was going to be a real life set up for a real life Batman character to appear maybe in another sequel. However, the ending didn't take my expectations. That's where the viewer will need to decide.