Joker 2: Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn Explained: Origin, Motivation & That Final Big Twist

Joker 2: Lady Gaga's Harley Quinn Explained: Origin, Motivation & That Final Big Twist

As a longtime fan of DC comics and a connoisseur of dark, twisted stories, I must say that Joker: Folie ? Deux has truly outdone itself. The way they’ve reimagined Harley Quinn, played by none other than the enigmatic Lady Gaga, is nothing short of genius.


In the highly-anticipated sequel to “Joker,” titled “Joker: Folie ? Deux, ” pop sensation Lady Gaga takes on the role of Harley Quinn – a character that has sparked both excitement and apprehension among fans of DC’s Batman and even those who aren’t familiar with comic books. With the movie now in theaters, many are eager to understand why Gaga was chosen for this role and what changes we can expect from the Harley Quinn character in “Joker 2“. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest developments in the world of “Joker: Folie ? Deux“.

Joker 2: Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn Explained

Joker 2: Lady Gaga's Harley Quinn Explained: Origin, Motivation & That Final Big Twist

In the film “Joker: Folie ? Deux“, the character “Harley Quinn” is reimagined as Harleen “Lee” Quinzel (portrayed by Lady Gaga), who is a patient at Arkham State Hospital. Arthur Fleck (played by Joaquin Phoenix) encounters Lee when he’s granted special permissions to transfer from the prison ward to the hospital ward daily for music classes. Lee shares with him that she hails from an abusive, fractured household in the same neighborhood where Arthur was raised, and even walks the notorious staircase he once did. She admits that she attempted to torch her parents’ apartment building with them inside, leading to her commitment to Arkham.

Lee is deeply captivated by “Joker,” admitting that she covertly watched The Murray Franklin Show, hoping that Joker would kill Murray. When this occurred, she felt both liberated spiritually and drawn to the iconic figure representing darkness. In contrast, Arthur has been behaving impeccably while in prison, awaiting trial. His lawyer, Catherine Keener, is constructing a defense arguing that “Arthur” and “Joker” are distinct personalities, with Joker being a dissociative psychosis that emerges from Arthur during critical moments. However, Lee does not acknowledge Joker as a separate entity but instead encourages Arthur to accept his ‘true identity’ and express it openly. As their relationship deepens, they share an awkward intimate moment within a cell.

In several elaborate musical scenes within Joker: Folie ? Deux, it is revealed that “Joker and Harley Quinn” are actually Arthur’s fantasies, sparked by the arrival of Lee in his life. Having “Harley Quinn” confirm his identity as “Joker” gives Arthur a sense of self-validation, enabling him to embrace the dark, romanticized allure of the character. When Lee discloses that she is carrying his child, Arthur experiences an unprecedented level of happiness.

Lee Quinzel’s True Origin Explained – What Was Real?

Joker 2: Lady Gaga's Harley Quinn Explained: Origin, Motivation & That Final Big Twist

In the final act of “Joker: Folie ? Deux”, Arthur receives an unexpected revelation from his lawyer, Maryanne Stewart. She discloses a shocking truth: Harley Quinn, whom he believed to be a victim of abuse, was actually a wealthy psychiatry student from the Upper East Side. Contrary to what he thought, she never suffered abuse, her father is a doctor, and both parents are alive. To make matters worse, Lee Quinzel, the real Harley Quinn, had never burned down her family’s building as Arthur believed. Instead, she admitted herself to Arkham Asylum with the intention of getting close to him. However, when Arthur finally admits in court that he is responsible for the murders, not “Joker”, Lee’s delusion crumbles and she turns away from him.

In the last part of “Harley Quinn”, Lee, wearing clown makeup, stands at a lengthy staircase when Arthur appears, suggesting they could be together. However, Lee is distant towards him, eventually confessing that her pregnancy was false and Harley Quinn persona was merely for amusement. Abandoning Arthur to his prison term, Lee vanishes back into the bustling streets of Gotham City.

The film “Joker: Folie à Deux” has sparked much debate due to its apparent intent to dismantle romanticized perceptions of Joker and Harley Quinn by portraying them as morally complex, mentally ill individuals rooted in reality. This is evident in the portrayal of Harley, who is not presented as a feminist icon, as Gaga’s performance does not highlight any admirable qualities within the character.

Joker: Folie ? Deux is now in theaters.

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2024-10-05 00:41