You may be puzzled by the genre of Joker: Folie à Deux – I certainly was before watching the film. In August 2022, it was revealed that the sequel about the infamous DC villain would be a musical. However, as the release date neared, the director and stars seemed to backtrack on that statement.
Director Todd Phillips told Variety, “Most of the music in the movie is really just dialogue. It’s just Arthur not having the words to say what he wants to say, so he sings them instead”. Lady Gaga expressed at Venice, “I wouldn’t necessarily say that this is a musical”, with Joaquin Phoenix adding in Variety, “it was important to me that we never perform the songs as one typically does in a musical”.
Having seen Joker 2 before its worldwide release on 4 October 2024, I must say that this IS very much a musical. The reluctance to label it as such by the cast and creator only confuses audiences, echoing a problem present in the marketing for the first film.
Minor spoilers for Joker: Folie à Deux below
Why is Joker: Folie à Deux a musical?
Any basic definition of a musical tells us that it is a play or film in which songs are woven into the narrative, sung by the characters, with optional dancing. With over 15 songs throughout, including sections with a whole brass band, spotlights, theatre costumes, and even Phoenix doing a tap-dancing jig, it’s hard to argue that Joker 2 isn’t a musical.
While many of the production numbers take place in Arthur Fleck’s head, and not every note is perfect, it still fits within the parameters of what a musical would be. If this film were adapted for the stage, there would be no debate about its classification.
But let’s consider Todd Phillips’ perspective. He mentioned to Variety, “I just don’t want people to think that it’s like In the Heights, where the lady in the bodega starts to sing and they take it out into the street, and the police are dancing… No disrespect, because I loved In the Heights.”
Now, I agree that Joker: Folie à Deux is not like In the Heights. However, if my degree in Theatre and Performance has taught me anything, it’s that musicals can address dark and complex themes similar to those explored in the Joker films.
Arkham Asylum? Never heard of her babe
Todd Phillips described Joker as an anti-comic book film and mentioned that he got Phoenix onboard by presenting it as a way to sneak a real movie into the studio system under the guise of a comic book film.
In the sequel, despite being a prominent location in the movie, the words ‘Arkham Asylum’ are never mentioned, and ‘Gotham’ is only said once. It seems like the film believes it’s above being categorized as a comic book movie or a musical, fearing that admitting its relation to those genres would diminish its impact.
On the other hand, HBO’s The Penguin embraces its comic book roots while delivering a compelling story filled with violence and crime.
Release the Gaga cut
I have a soft spot for Lady Gaga. When I saw she would be the new Harley Quinn, I was thrilled. However, after watching the film, I felt disappointed by how her character was underutilized, especially in the latter part of the story.
Many iconic moments from the trailer and posters, like Joker and Harley strutting down the stairs, have seemingly been left out of the final cut. Gaga’s musical talents could have added a unique dimension to the film, enhancing the dynamic between Harley Quinn and Arthur Fleck.
Final Joker Folie à Deux thoughts
Joker: Folie à Deux’s attempt to distance itself from both the musical genre and DC leaves it in a confusing state. The film feels pretentious at times, with stellar moments clashing with a sluggish pace. The polarizing reviews suggest that the film may intentionally provoke audience confusion.
Despite its flaws, I can’t help but wonder what Joker: Folie à Deux could have been if it fully embraced its genre and source material, allowing Gaga to showcase her full potential as Harley Quinn.
