Finally, the much-awaited first glimpse of Joker: Folie a Deux has come out which features the return of Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck and Joker, as well as the first appearance of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. The sequel, again helmed by Todd Phillips, to the 2019 Oscar winner and already gathering a lot of press has soared especially with Gaga now being part of the franchise.
The teaser begins with puzzling and dark patterns that depict the atmosphere of oppression in the world of Joker. It is, of course, set in Arkham asylum featuring Phoenix’s joker who has been put through the asylum after the events of the first movie. As the angle of the camera changes, we have Lady gaga as Harley Quinn dressed in red and black her traditional colors and Batman whips her into a rather disturbing wet sore of a dance. Gaga’s Quinn is very different from the other iterations of the character and this time, she really conveys the depth of Quinn’s feelings, who seems to be both very strong and very vulnerable.
Gaga’s Harley Quinn is seen at first as a psychiatrist intrigued by the character Fleck, only to later go completely crazy on her own. There’s fire between Phoenix and Gaga, which leads to the inevitable love affair between Joker and Quinn. Their relationship looks to bring out new aspects of the joker’s insane world, with the two misfits finding comfort in each other’s madness.
Fans have been looking forward to this tease for a long time since Phillips confirmed Folie a Deux would transform a lot as a musical, a far cry from the first film’s dark and edgy psychological narrative. The tease also doesn’t let down as some of the musical sequences are showcased with Gaga and Phoenix performing bizarre yet captivating sequences which combine the elements of Sweeney Todd with that of Cabaret.
Joker: Folie A Deux is set to be released in theaters on October 4, 2024. This is a case of expectations reaching the sky, as Phoenix is coming back after his Oscar winning performance, and Gaga is bringing her vocals and acting to the scene of Harley quinn. Discussions on the direction in which Phillips intends to take this brave sequel have turned into a buzzing activity amongst fans and critics alike. Sync the teaser now and brace yourself for another insane adventure in the mind of Gotham City’s most disturbed villain.
