This text contains spoilers.

Joker, said out loud makes many go crazy. Out of all versions of Joker we have ever received, there has come time for a sequel. Not any sequel but long awaited continuation of an origin story of Joker (Arthur Fleck) that shook the cinemas back in 2019. Ladies and gentlemen, Tod Philips and his new “Joker: Folie à Deux”.

Back in 2019 when I got to see the first Philip’s interpretation of Joker, I was only a broken teenager that was healed by that film in a twisted way. Now, the continuation of it went in completely different directions. Moreover, after the first one’s success, this one met with a complete dislike from fans and critics. As we all know, now everyone seems to know best “how to make a good film”, so I’ll add something from myself – I liked this new Joker. It actually moved me, in a sense, even more than the first one. 

It feels like the film from 2019 was this intimate story that could be embodied and felt by anyone of us. Anyone who even for a little while feels like a misunderstood outcast. However, end of it is powerfully frightening. Makes us realize to where unkindness towards each other might lead. Simple but holds such a truthful feeling. Even though, one of the critics said he didn’t like empowerment of such people who like such films. Whatever that means.

Everyone got what they needed. Fans of the universe had their Joker, but that Joker opened itself for a wider crowd. Nevertheless, even with awards and positive reviews we could already pick up on Philips’ straight forwardness, overuse of symbolism, etc. That has not changed this time, that’s why my aim’s not to repeat what was already said. Personally, it did not bother me neither first time nor here. I actually liked those little treats for films’ buffs. However, what strucks the most when it comes to a sequel is, I believe, looking at it from a wrong perspective. Philips didn’t try to use what worked and continue it but instead he has created this fever dream. Or as I should say “dream of a mad; dream of a madness”. At least, that’s how I read this very, very chaotic film. If we received a film that is based on what we already saw, it would be hated the same way or would put us in this soft, safe space. The idea of this film, and getting to know this character better is uncomfortable. With Joker persona existing in our pop-culture for such long time it’s so many possibilities, that makes it impossible to meet everyone needs. Perhaps, many expected a run from the reality but fell into a funnel of madness that is actually much closer to it [reality] than we thought. 

Tired Arthur, who after his five minutes of fame wants to be just seen as him, loved and cared for. Not being able to perform the Joker anymore, actually over time terrified of the Joker’s adoration. In the world focused on the internet, where everything seems so chaotic I reckon we all run away sometimes to the world full of fantasy. I think it was beautiful to see better Arthur’s one. Nowadays, we all are so egocentric, and self-centered that we pray for attention of any kind. However, it strikes when we realize not many people care about us (and vice versa) but for what we’ve done, promised, showed. Maybe, Arthur story in all of that felt too tragic but when it comes to both of those films it’s truly hard to tell what’s the reality and what’s not. Do I try to say we are all Arthur in a way? Kind of. Kind of it’s true because don’t we all feel sometimes the urge to just scream out loud what we think, feel, etc? That’s what Arthur/Joker did. It’s the same with the characters. It could be said that the characters are very much objectified. However, having still in mind that everything’s from Arthur’s view who is quite a narcissistic fantasist it makes sense that they are portrayed as those empty shells. We don’t need to know more. Perhaps, the biggest waste was on Lady Gaga that only comes and goes. Unfortunately, while her acting isn’t the worst in comparison to Phoenix she seems quite stubbornly caught on one tune the whole film. However, even though their relationship progressed very fast, in the context of Arthur perceptive who have never experienced such affection it’s totally fair. Making it this time a true prison cinema with murderer and his psycho fan.

All in all, this film’s far from being so-called “perfect” but the whole hate on it is a bit of overreaction. I missed the intimacy from the first movie however, the living in the mad fantasy that’s bombastic match very well Arthur’s character. Furthermore, the whole idea of musical or more of a music-film is on a right place because the music comes from the character. But I guess it’s not everyone. In the end, I really liked the idea of us, the viewers who hated it so much that it’s made us the actual villains. That no-one ever cared about Arthur story and simply waited when Joker will be fully embodied. And it hits even more when you think about how “stupid” in a way was Arthur’s death who just gave a chance to hear out someone. Because he was never heard. That makes this film especially sad taking from us this whole fantasy.