Joker: Folie À Deux – A New Musical Spin on the Joker Franchise

Forget ‘Send In The Clowns’ – how about ‘Send Down The Clown’? That certainly looks to be the idea in the latest trailer for Todd Phillips’ all-singing, all-dancing movie with music Joker: Folie À Deux, which sees Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck taking to the stand as he goes on trial for the televised killing of Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro) in Joker. Joining him in the courtroom – and Arkham Asylum (and in a slew of fantastical musical sequences) – is Harley “Lee” Quinn, with whom Yer Man Joker strikes up a potentially romantic, definitely dangerous bond.

The Story So Far

As the trailer progresses, we see Phoenix and Gaga use music and song to express that which words alone are not enough to say. “They’re saying you’re a bad influence on me,” says Gaga at the start of the new trailer, which juxtaposes more of Phillips’ 70s inspired, gritty take on Gotham with distinctly more outré, La La Land-reminiscent flights of fantasy.

Continuing, the pop megastar bursts into a full-throated rendition of ‘That’s Life’ as we see Phoenix’s Fleck adopt his Joker persona in the courtroom as the people of Gotham and the media at large seem to be following in the not-quite-yet-Clown-Prince’s footsteps on the city’s streets. It’s a fascinating melding of tones and stylistic sensibilities to be sure, and one that promises to see the Beau Is Afraid actor get closer to the Joker we all know and love to hate than ever before; Phoenix’s “Uh-oh, I’m in trouble” as he’s being escorted to a cell in handcuffs is pure comic book J.

The Music and Plot

Joker: Folie À Deux finds Arthur Fleck institutionalised at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that’s always been inside him.” He’ll also find franchise newcomers Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener, and a returning Zazie Beetz, too.

What to Expect

Will Joker: Folie À Deux prove to be worth making a song and dance about? Might it hit a bum note or two along the way? And will we ever be able to safely call it the ‘M’ word? We’ll find out the answers to those questions and more when Phillips’ film, which features story-driving songs performed as a stream of consciousness by the main characters, hits UK cinemas on 4 October.

Conclusions

Joker: Folie À Deux has all the makings of a wild and unpredictable ride, blending the gritty tone of the first film with the fantastical and humorous elements of the musical. With Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga at the helm, we can be sure that this film will be a true spectacle – but will it be more than just a one-note gimmick?

FAQs

• When is the film released in the UK?

• The film is released on 4 October.

• Is this a sequel to Joker?

• Yes, it follows the events of the first film.

• What is Folie À Deux in relation to the film’s plot?

• Folie À Deux is a psychological concept where two people share an identical delusional reality, which is relevant to the film’s themes.

• Will there be music throughout the film?

• Yes, the film features story-driving songs performed as a stream of consciousness by the main characters.