Summary
Despite being one of themost anticipated sequels of 2024,Joker: Folie à Deuxhas received polarizing opinions from critics and audiences thus far. After the controversial nature of the first movie, its sequel seems to have doubled down on its divisive aspects, bringing a movie that underperformed despite the surrounding hype. Struggling at the box office, the movie was always going to have clashing reviews, especially since it promised to mix the violent depiction of mental illness with a musical format.
Despite the movie’s flaws, it did manage to please some fans with the stellar cast, beautiful shots, unique style, and controversial take on the beloved villain. While the movie’s overall story is lacking, the performances and iconic quotes made this a unique experience. From Joker’s insane statements to cruel assessments, the movie possesses some special one-liners that help develop the movie into what it is.
10"We’re Gonna Build A Mountain" - Harley Quinn
A Shared Delusion That Motivates The Characters
Throughout the movie, Lee and Arthur keep addressing their plans to “build a mountain” once the trial is over. As senseless as the statement is, it is actually quite important when understanding this shared delusion between the couple. Believing that they are capable of anything, they keep going back to this idea that has no real implications.
When confronted about what it means, Lee just continues the fantasy that they share, showing she truly believes in her own pipe dream. This statement - initially starting in a musical sequence - deeply infiltrated the real world by motivating both characters throughout the movie.
9"They Believe Arthur Fleck To Be Some Kind Of Martyr. Well, He’s Not. He’s A Monster" - Harvey Dent
A True Reflection Of The Protagonist By An Infamous Antagonist
As one of themany Easter Eggs inJoker 2, Harvey Dent might not be the iconic antagonist fans wanted to see, but he does have a pivotal role in the movie. As the assistant D.A. who seeks the death penalty for Arthur Fleck, he is quick to deal with absolutes.
Not only serving as an allusion to Harvey Dent’s own character, this statement deeply affects the protagonist as he fails to conceal his two selves, Arthur and Joker. On one side, he believes himself to be a monster and, on the other, he knows himself to be a hero and a martyr to many like him.
8"Look Around. Look At All These People! I Will No Longer Allow Any Of You To Keep Me Down"- Joker
Arthur Fleck Finally Embraces The Joker
Even though the movie is about the infamous Joker who brought chaos to Gotham, this captivating alter ego is rarely seen outside of Arthur’s delusional mind. Mostly appearing in musical numbers to illustrate the protagonist’s fantasies, Joker only really appears in one major scene.
After deciding to represent himself, Arthur Fleck embraces the dark side of himself who had been kept sedated and away. The quote serves as the climax of the scene that highlights the chaotic and vile nature of Joker.
7"We Use Music To Make Us Whole. To Balance The Fractures Within Ourselves." - Arthur Fleck
A Clarification Of The Movie’s Musical Aspect
It is obvious that music is a big aspect of the movie, which is mostly due to Arthur Fleck’s connection to songs and musicals. Not only a big element for the protagonist, but music also serves as a bridge between Arthur and the Joker, as most of Joker’sscenes in the sequel come through musical numbers.
Arthur beautifully puts the importance of music into words, but it also serves as an explanation of the character and the movie as a whole. The musical bits of the feature are able to bring the protagonist’s fantasies to life, allowing the audience to really jump into Arthur’s mind.
6"How About You, Arthur? Do You Still Think You’re A Star?" - Guard
Materializing The Audience’s Doubts On Arthur’s State Of Mind
A huge part of the sequel is Arthur’s interactions within Arkham, especially with the guards, who treat him time and time again as less than human. This line of questioning from the guard to Joker serves to represent the tension between the protagonist and his guards.
Yet, it also ties up with thefirst movie’s endingwhere Arthur really succumbs to his fantasies, believing himself to be the star even prompting his appearance on Murray Franklin’s show. At this point in the movie, the audience is still unsure about Arthur’s state of mind in relation to his alter ego, and this conversation with the guard reinforces that line of question, which is answered not long afterward.
5"I’m Free" - Joker
Arthur Starts Believing In The Joker Fantasy
After taking over the trial, Joker comes to Arthur’s defense, bringing more chaos to the courtroom through an unnerving speech. At that point, Arthur is deep into the Joker persona and has a hard time seeing his situation for what it really is. Although it may seem like he is not taking the situation seriously, this quote confirms the Joker’s true delusions.
Believing himself to be a victim of society, Joker believes he will walk free after this and that he can, as Harley Quinn stated, do anything he wants. Hence, this statement serves to pinpoint the moment that Arthur Fleck gives in to his imagination.
4"I’ll Tell You What’s Changed, I’m Not Alone Anymore. That’s What We Should Be Talking About" - Arthur Fleck
Arthur Fleck Embraces Change
As one of thebest Joker interpretations in a live-action, Joaquin Phoenix brings a different mix of humanity and insanity to the character. At the end of the day, Arthur Fleck’s story is about a man who wants to be seen after being ignored by society his whole life.
Dealing with cruelty and abandonment, the protagonist wants to be understood, which is why he creates the Joker persona. Once Lee acknowledges him, Arthur starts to believe that having someone means he is fixed. While it is not the solution to Arthur’s problems, his relationship with Lee does change him as he stops taking his medications and starts going deeper into his imagination.
3"I’m Nobody. I Haven’t Done Anything With My Life Like You Have"- Lee
A Different Portrayal Of Harley Quinn And Joker’s Relationship
At this point in the movie, the audience does not have a lot of information on who Lee is, but later on, it is said that she actually comes from a rich family and was a pretty accomplished professional. However, this conversation serves to illustrate how she views herself and the Joker.
Joker 2depicts aninverse portrayal of the past adaptations, having Harley Quinn be the one who slowly corrupts Arthur into embracing the Joker. By putting herself below him and constantly reminding him of how amazing the Joker is, she is able to make Arthur adopt her fantasy where Joker is someone to be revered.
2"You Get What You F***ing Deserve"
Proof That Joker’s Legacy Goes Beyond Arthur
To say that theending ofJoker: Folie à Deuxwas controversialis an understatement, yet it managed to raise some interesting aspects. As Arthur dies stabbed by another inmate, it leaves a lot of questions in the air, including about his visitor and the true identity of Joker.
Yet, before stabbing him, the inmate tells Arthur a joke, ending with “You get what you f***ing deserve”, which was the same thing Joker said when killing Murray Franklin in the first installment. This punchline showcases that, even though Arthur died, Joker’s legacy will be carried on.
1"Hey, Fleck, You Got A Joke For Us Today?" - Guard
A Central Question To The Protagonist’s Arc
The guard’s mocking question to Arthur has a deeper meaning than simply acknowledging Fleck’s alter ego and the events of the first movie. At the start of theJoker: Folie à DeuxArthur is a shell of a man, no longer the chaotic and violent Joker that audiences expect. The protagonist barely speaks in the first few scenes, highlighting how he has subdued his Joker persona and gone back to being the victim of a cruel society.
Throughout the movie the guards remind Arthur of a society that does not care for him, laughing at him while treating him as less than human. By questioning Arthur over and over again, the audience can gauge the protagonist’s mental state and make him more sympathetic while reminding everyone of what he can be. In the end, another prisoner tells Fleck a joke that ends with Arthur’s death, making this question a pivotal point in the movie’s plot.
