By David Du Mercier
The second installment of Joker fell short of expectations—but perhaps that’s what we should have anticipated from a movie about a clown. Joker 2 introduces a new character, Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga, but unfortunately, it diverges from the essence of what made the first film a success.
The original Joker was about a man disillusioned with society and overwhelmed by the constant mental pressure it inflicted. The Joker descended into madness because of the world around him, and this resonated with audiences living in similarly chaotic times. He recognized that the system was rigged, the average person was invisible, and the world was run by corrupt elites who cared only for their own gain. The Joker became a symbol for the voiceless, rebelling against the system and doing what many could only dream of. His movement wasn’t just about him—it was about the necessity of chaos to force leaders to pay attention to the people they’d long ignored. When the movie was released, viewers could relate to his motivations, understanding the importance of standing up for what you believe is right.
But in Joker: Folie à Deux, we’ve gone from a revolutionary figure like Che Guevara to a musical drama reminiscent of High School Musical. This shift was the result of a lack of the boldness and creativity that defined the first film. Many viewers left the theater mid-movie, feeling let down by a narrative that should have been a continuation of Joker 1. Instead of seeing their anti-hero continue his fight against a corrupt system, they saw a confused man in love with Harley Quinn. The power dynamics were flipped: rather than Harley being influenced by the Joker, the Joker was now under her control. This creative decision undermined the character’s mystique.
There were glimpses of the Joker we knew—raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic—but these moments were undercut by musical numbers that disrupted the build-up of each scene, diluting the Joker’s identity. What could have been a compelling follow-up was ultimately a disappointment that fell far short of audience expectations.
In the end, the joke may have been on us for buying tickets to see this movie.