Joker: Folie à Deux has arrived, stirring up passionate reactions from fans, thanks to its intricate plot and shocking ending. This much-anticipated sequel to 2019's Joker premiered on October 4, bringing back Joaquin Phoenix as the troubled Arthur Fleck, now joined by Lady Gaga's character, Lee Quinzel, a.k.a Harley Quinn.
The movie picks up two years after the events of the first film, with Arthur still confined to Arkham State Mental Hospital and standing trial for multiple murders. Along the way, he forms a connection with fellow patient Lee. The pair soon dive headfirst into a world of chaos, seeking love, drama, and their twisted version of freedom as Gotham City crumbles around them.
But what really has people talking is the jaw-dropping twist at the film’s conclusion. Let’s dive into the biggest revelations that left audiences shocked.
The Explosive Courtroom Twist
The latter half of Joker 2 shifts from the confines of Arkham to the intensity of a courtroom trial. After Arthur decides to represent himself, abandoning his attorney and donning his Joker persona (complete with full makeup and even a southern accent), the jury begins to deliver their verdict. But before they can reach a decision, a car bomb explodes outside the courthouse, throwing the entire scene into chaos.
Amidst the pandemonium, Arthur manages to flee, aided by a group of Joker sympathizers. He reconnects with Harley, who initially professed her undying love for him. However, in a stunning reversal, she ends their relationship—more on that shortly—leading to Arthur’s swift recapture and return to Arkham.
Is Harvey Dent Becoming Two-Face?
One of the movie’s key moments features a young Harvey Dent, Gotham's Assistant District Attorney, played by Harvey Lawtey. Fans speculated that this could mark the beginning of his transformation into the infamous villain, Two-Face. In the courtroom scene, when the bomb goes off, Dent sustains an injury on one side of his face, hinting at the physical trauma that often defines his character.
However, the film leaves Dent’s fate ambiguous, providing no further clues as to whether he will fully embrace his destiny as Two-Face. It’s a tantalizing thread that fans will likely be debating until further developments are revealed.
The Joker Isn’t Who We Think He Is
The most surprising twist comes during Arthur and Harley’s breakup. Harley ends their relationship after watching Arthur admit to the six murders he’s charged with, accepting his punishment without hesitation. In her eyes, this confession isn’t just a surrender to the system, but a betrayal of the Joker persona she loves. She realizes that the Joker is merely a mask Arthur wears, not his true identity, which devastates her. This revelation leaves Arthur once again isolated and vulnerable.
The Final Blow: A New Joker Emerges?
Arthur’s day goes from bad to worse after his breakup. Back in Arkham, he is approached by a young inmate who tells him a chilling “killing joke” before repeatedly stabbing him in the stomach. As Arthur lies bleeding, his attacker takes things a step further—he slices his own face to create a wide, eerie smile, echoing the iconic look worn by Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight.
This final scene opens the door to endless possibilities. Does this inmate represent a new Joker, or even a younger version of Ledger’s iteration of the character? Is he the one who will truly embrace the chaos and violence that the Joker stands for?
What’s Next?
While Joker: Folie à Deux leaves many questions unanswered, it sets up an intriguing future for Gotham’s most notorious villain. Whether this marks the rise of a new Joker or simply the end of Arthur Fleck’s journey, the film’s layered narrative guarantees that fans will be dissecting its implications for years to come.
By diving into the psyche of Arthur and exploring the darker side of his relationship with Harley, Joker: Folie à Deux takes bold risks that will undoubtedly keep audiences talking. One thing’s for sure: Gotham’s twisted tale is far from over.