Joker: Folie à Deux ending explained – full spoilers for sequel

Joker: Folie à Deux ending explained – full spoilers for sequel

As a seasoned moviegoer with over three decades of film criticism under my belt, I have to say that Joker: Folie à Deux left me with a sense of both intrigue and disappointment. The original Joker was a masterpiece that left an indelible mark on cinema history, and while this sequel attempts to capture some of that magic, it ultimately falls short.


**WARNING: Contains full Joker: Folie à Deux spoilers**

Five years ago, I witnessed the release of the first Joker movie in cinemas – a film that, despite being somewhat divisive, there’s no denying its massive success. It scooped up the esteemed Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, surpassed the billion-dollar mark at the box office, and earned Joaquin Phoenix the coveted Oscar for Best Actor – all while sparking an unstoppable conversation that continues to resonate today.

After everything that transpired, it felt inevitable that a sequel would follow suit, and now it’s gracing our screens, although not quite with the same level of excitement as the first one garnered. In this installment, it takes on a musical-like flavor, featuring Lady Gaga stepping into the role of Harley Quinn, known here as Lee, a rendition of the famous DC villain.

The feedback we’ve received lately is leaning towards the negative, even though our assessment gave it 4 out of 5 stars. It appears that its performance at the box office won’t be as strong as the initial movie, and the prospect of Academy Awards recognition seems highly unlikely.

Nonetheless, the movie remains a significant production, and one intriguing element that’s likely to spark conversation is its surprising finale. This twist occurs after the imprisoned character Arthur Fleck stands trial for the string of murders he allegedly committed throughout the storyline of the initial film.

Wondering how it all ends? Read on to have the Joker: Folie à Deux ending explained.

Joker: Folie à Deux ending explained – full spoilers

In many parts, the sequel “Joker: Folie à Deux” deviates significantly from the original movie by presenting a more toned-down narrative. Instead of intense violence, it incorporates fictional musical sequences as a key element.

However, tension reaches its peak on the last day of Arthur’s trial. As he rises to deliver his closing statement, he publicly rejects his Joker identity, an action that angers Lee, causing him to leave in anger. In essence, Arthur seems resigned to accepting a guilty verdict.

Without much surprise, the jury delivers a guilty verdict as expected. However, the story takes an unexpected twist when the verdict is announced. In that moment, Arthur bursts into his mad cackle once more, and within seconds, a car bomb explodes outside the courtroom, causing extensive destruction.

Joker: Folie à Deux ending explained – full spoilers for sequel

As a movie enthusiast, I must share an exciting revelation from the latest plot twist: my beloved character, Harvey Dent, experiences a significant alteration that’s been eagerly anticipated by DC fans like myself. This transformation sees one side of his face scarred, harking back to the comics where he eventually evolves into Two-Face.

However, what’s crucial to the plot unfolding, Arthur likewise employs the blast as a means of escape and departs the area swiftly. Not long after, he’s assisted by two devoted followers and well-wishers, yet he seems not to notice them much and proceeds solo, aiming to locate Lee on the very staircase that gained fame through Arthur’s memorable dance in the initial movie.

However, the anticipated romantic reconciliation Arthur yearned for did not materialize. Contrarily, Lee spurns him, expressing her disinterest following his withdrawal during the trial and unveiling that the Joker persona was merely a facade. She considers this an act of deception, and departs, leaving Arthur crestfallen on the staircase.

Not long after, Arthur gets re-arrested and is returned to Arkham once more, having lost all hope. However, there’s another unexpected turn of events that makes things even more grim for him…

Does Joker die in Joker: Folie à Deux?

At Arkham, a guard informs Arthur of a visitor waiting for him, leading him down a lengthy hallway. Upon arrival, an inmate identified as the Young Inmate, portrayed by Connor Storrie, steps forward to share a jest with him.

Indeed, as the events unfold, he carries out what seems to be his plan, but when he reaches the climax, an unexpected twist occurs – he pulls out a knife and viciously stabs the victim multiple times in the abdomen. Consequently, the victim succumbs to the injuries, bleeding profusely. Therefore, we can say that in this instance, the Joker meets his end. Or more accurately, Arthur Fleck, whose interpretation of the Joker, perishes under those circumstances.

Towards the film’s finale, with Arthur gravely wounded, a young inmate is seen etching a grin into his own flesh using a knife, reminiscent of Heath Ledger’s Joker from The Dark Knight. As he starts to chuckle maniacally, it appears as though one Joker has been slain – yet another seems to have emerged. Thus, the vicious cycle of violence endures…

Joker: Folie à Deux is now showing in cinemas. 

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2024-10-04 13:34