As a die-hard fan of the DC universe who has witnessed the evolution of the Joker character since Heath Ledger’s iconic portrayal in “The Dark Knight”, I must say that Todd Phillips’ decision to end “Joker: Folie À Deux” with the main antagonist being stabbed and carving his face, mirroring Ledger’s Joker, feels like a slap in the face.
Warning: Major SPOILERS for the ending of Joker: Folie à Deux.
In the sequel to DC’s original movie, both critics and viewers have been taken aback by its challenging nature. The filmmakers took several bold steps, such as transforming it into a musical, which was met with disapproval for different reasons. One of the most debated aspects of the movie is its ending, where MAJOR SPOILER ALERT, Joaquin Phoenix’s character Arthur Fleck renounces his Joker identity and appears to be fatally stabbed by another inmate. This inmate then carves a smile into Phoenix’s character’s face, evoking memories of Heath Ledger’s Joker from The Dark Knight.
It’s not surprising that the final scenes in “Joker 2” have sparked a lot of debate among fans of the comics, the original Joker film, and Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker. Interestingly, it seems that director Todd Phillips had initially intended to conclude the first movie in this manner, but these plans were halted by Christopher Nolan during the making of “The Dark Knight.” According to THR, Nolan objected to the idea as he felt only his Joker (Heath Ledger) should have the role of carving his face. Now that Nolan has left Warner Bros., Phillips is free to carry out his original vision for the sequel, which has predictably caused a stir among fans.
In an initial script for the first movie, it was proposed that Phoenix’s portrayal of the Joker would end with him carving his own face in front of a gathering of followers. However, Christopher Nolan, director of The Dark Knight, objected to this concept, preferring Heath Ledger’s Joker to perform the act. Now that Nolan is no longer affiliated with the studio, there was no hindrance to implementing this idea for the current production.
He often relies on his instincts, and they’ve served him well so far. This observer from Warner Bros believes that others will understand the humor in the situation.” (In this paraphrase, I’ve attempted to maintain the original meaning while using simpler, more conversational language.)
Todd Phillips’ Controversial Joker 2 Choices Have Resulted in Cinematic Tragedy
Titled “Joker: Madness Duet“, this film is written and directed by Todd Phillips. It features Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix alongside Lady Gaga (known for her work in “A Star Is Born” ), Brendan Gleeson (famous from “The Banshees of Inisherin” ), Catherine Keener (noted for her roles in “Get Out, Capote” ), Steve Coogan (recognized for his work as “Alan Partridge” ), Harry Lawtey (popular in “Industry” ), and Zazie Beetz who played the role of Joker’s companion in the original film. The sequel swiftly follows the events from the highly successful first installment, focusing on Phoenix’s character, Arthur Fleck, as he is admitted to Arkham for trial, confined for his crimes as the Joker. As he grapples with his dual identity, Arthur discovers love and unearths the music that’s long been buried within him.
Unfortunately, it’s turned out to be a disappointing turn of events for Joker: Folie à Deux. The movie has struggled to gain positive reviews from critics and audiences, receiving only a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a “D” grade on CinemaScore, and underperforming significantly at the box office.
Although the ending isn’t solely responsible for this response, it undoubtedly didn’t improve matters. Many viewers are likely left puzzled, as they believe the last scenes make the Joker movies seem pointless, connect them to Christopher Nolan’s trilogy in a confusing way, and disregard Heath Ledger’s award-winning performance. In essence, this choice is quite peculiar and has caused everyone to lose their joy, especially Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix.
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2024-10-08 14:31