Joker: Folie à Deux

Prequel: “Joker” (2019)

“Joker: Folie à Deux” takes place shortly after the first film. Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is set to stand up trial for the crimes committed in the previous film. Director Todd Phillips decided to go in a peculiar direction… by adding singing and performative musical elements. This decision along with a warped take on Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga), make this film a difficult watch.

Before describing this disastrous sequel, I will give credit where credit is due. Joaquin Phoenix’s acting is a marvel. From the physical changes he makes, to exhibiting what the Joker is at its core. Despite everything else his acting should be recognized. The same cannot be said for his counterpart Lady Gaga. While her voice is amazing, her acting skills lack what is needed for the Harley Quinn character and it make it difficult to watch. Instead of the audience seeing Harley Quinn come to life, we just see Lady Gaga attempting her version of a Harley Quinn type character, and it just doesn’t wash.

The subject matter in this film is dark. It deals with mental illness, death, abuse trauma and several other aspects. It is important to point out that the objectionable content includes foul language, sexual activity, nudity, violence, blood and explosions. The list is extensive.

The majority of the film takes place in a courtroom setting, and there’s really no redeeming value or biblical truth to draw from it. However, the courtroom setting does make me think of a biblical parallel illustrating humanity’s sin guilt and God’s offer of redemption through Christ. We are all sinners guilty of breaking God’s law. He is a righteous judge, and we all deserve Hell, but because of the atoning sacrifice of His Son Jesus, our debt is paid, if we simply repent and believe in Him. Then we are justified through Christ alone, not because of anything we did but because of what He did on the cross. Christian Answers’ Team Member Ray Comfort uses the courtroom analogy in evangelism, and it fits so well.

Despite Joaquin Phoenix’s acting and some stunning cinematography, this film has no redeeming quality, and I cannot recommend it. It does not do the first film justice, and it its ending will upset fans of the genre and confuse new viewers.

• Violence: Extreme— • Brutal stabbing to death with blood pouring out of victim’s stomach • Killer carves a smile onto victim’ face • Throat slashing • Bashing of heads • Suicide with bloody detail and various verbal references to suicide and self-harm • Mental asylum patients brutally abused by guards • Inmate being strangled to death • Man viciously slammed into walls and beaten • Scene where man’s rape is visually implied • Man shoots himself (with bloody detail) • Man’s head pounded into a urinal • Victim repeatedly hit in the head with a chair with some squirting blood • Victim brutally bashed in the head with a large mallet and his skull is shown caved in • Several murders • Killing several people in a crowd with a gun with blood splatters on the screen • Man is shot in stomach—with blood spraying out • Explosion and following distress with many dead • Arson attack on entire hospital
• Nudity: Extreme— • Male frontal genital • Male rear (animation) • Naked or almost naked male prisoners • Lady Gaga in bra
• Sex: Extreme— • Lengthy sex scene with male thrusting in female • Child sexual abuse references • Male stripped down and raped • Male-male kiss • Other kissing
• Profane language: Very Heavy— • J*sus • G*d • G*d d*mn (2)
• Vulgar/Crude language: Very Heavy— F-words (50+) and hand gesture, S-words, A**, A**hole, B*tch, Retard
• Drugs/Alcohol: Moderate — • Heavy smoking throughout • Inmates swallowing compliance drugs
• Occult: Minor
• Wokeism: Minor

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.