Watch: ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Falls Flat, Lady Gaga Underutilized in Dull Sequel

Early in Todd Philips’ new film “Joker: Folie à Deux,” a poignant scene at a courtroom captures the essence of the movie perfectly. Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as the Joker, Arthur Fleck, who anxiously awaits Harley Quinn’s (Lady Gaga) entrance as he stands trial for multiple murders, including a televised killing of a famous talk show host. When Harley enters, their exchange of smiles amidst the tense atmosphere highlights the film’s mood—portraying the courtroom’s dullness with Arthur’s feigned yawn directed at Harley.

This sequel to the 2019 Oscar-winning “Joker” dives deeper into Arthur’s chaotic world. Written by Philips and Scott Silver, the film continues from where the first left off, with Arthur confined in a Gotham City asylum. Facing capital punishment, his future hinges on his lawyer’s plea for mercy based on his mental state.

Arthur dreams of a future outside the asylum with Harley, planning to “build a mountain” together. However, the drawn-out court proceedings and his growing mistrust of what he’s told complicate his hopes.

Unlike the first film, which provided a deep backstory for Arthur’s transformation into the Joker, “Joker: Folie à Deux” overly indulges in courtroom drama without advancing the plot. It’s framed as a love story, and the anticipation of seeing Gaga play the vibrant yet chaotic Harley Quinn was high. Unfortunately, her role is mostly limited to musical performances within imaginative but repetitive sequences that fail to develop her character further.

Gaga’s Harley is rarely given dialogue, appearing mostly to sing in scenes that, while visually impressive, begin to feel monotonous. A significant moment comes when Arthur, addressing their future, prompts yet another song from Harley, to which he responds, “Please stop, don’t sing,” mirroring the audience’s likely fatigue with the constant musical interruptions.

Phoenix delivers a compelling performance, showcasing his character’s complexities through dramatic physicality and minimal dialogue. Despite the film’s slower pace and lack of narrative depth, his portrayal remains a standout.

The premiere of “Joker: Folie à Deux” brought Venice to a standstill, highlighting the star power of Phoenix and Gaga. However, the film itself is a letdown. It lacks the disturbing intensity of the first installment and instead prolongs viewer patience with its sluggish tempo and underuse of its talented cast, particularly Gaga. This sequel does not live up to the original’s acclaim, feeling uninspired and tedious.