What's frustrating about Joker 2 is that it doesn't do much with its comic book ties. It provides some interesting changes, such as Harley Quinn's origin story, but these alterations mean she resembles Harley essentially in name only. She doesn't embody that role, similar to how Arthur Fleck doesn't fully embody the Joker. The first Joker teased Arthur's impending full transformation into the Joker, even setting up an interesting connection between Fleck and Bruce Wayne. However, the sequel retcons that relationship, making Batman's origin change pointless.
Joker Slightly Changed Batman's Origin Story
Joker connected Batman's origin story to the clown prince of crime.
2019's Joker established an intriguing relationship with Arthur and the Wayne family. Arthur finds a letter from his mother, claiming he is Thomas Wayne's illegitimate son, possibly setting up that Bruce and Arthur are half-brothers. However, the story is seemingly later revealed to have been fabricated by his mother, who worked as a housekeeper for the Waynes. Still, it caused Arthur to interact with Bruce, and he was also partially responsible for his parent's deaths, as they were killed by a Joker rioter instead of a random burglar.
This isn't the first time Batman's origins have been changed. 1989's Batman revealed that Jack Nicholson's Joker murdered Batman's parents, establishing that Jack Napier was responsible for Batman's rise and thus his own downfall. Arthur doesn't kill Thomas and Martha directly, but the riots sparked by his murder of Murray Franklin led to the Waynes' deaths. It's an interesting change that creates a personal connection between Arthur and Bruce. Unfortunately, that was sabotaged by Joker 2.
Joker 2's Ending Makes Arthur's Connection To Bruce Wayne Insignificant
Arthur's death spoils any tie between him and Batman.
The Joker 2 ending sees Arthur renouncing his identity as Joker and returning to prison. While there, another inmate fatally stabs him, repeating the infamous "You get what you f***ing deserve" line Arthur said before killing Murray Franklin in the first movie. As Arthur lies on the ground dying, the inmate carves a smile on his face, inferring that the Joker legacy will carry on through him. It's a controversial ending that confirms Arthur was never the real Joker, but the movement he created led to the rise of the Joker who will eventually fight Batman.
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Joker: Folie à Deux Ending Explained
Joker: Folie à Deux has a shock ending that seems self-explanatory on the surface, but it's a bit more complex than you think.
I'm disappointed with this ending for a few reasons. It's a cheap way to tease a future Joker, and removes almost any connection that the Joker we've been following has with Batman. The idea that Joker's revolution caused Batman is interesting, and it was nice to believe that the chaos of that riot inspired a young Bruce Wayne to eventually clean up the city. The sequel ending also ruins Joker slightly, since it makes the alteration to Batman's origin unnecessary in order to provide a final twist in the film's last moments.
Even Thomas Wayne's Death Was Barely Mentioned in Joker 2
The fallout of Thomas Wayne's death was shockingly absent.
Thomas Wayne was one of the most influential figures in Gotham. He was a billionaire whose business loomed large, and his foundation ran many charities throughout the city. He was also a mayoral candidate who had a good chance of winning before he was killed. His death in the Joker riot should have caused a massive fallout in Gotham. In addition to Arthur's murders, Thomas' death should have been seen as a reason why Arthur needed to remain behind bars, as Fleck's actions sparked violence that led to the death of a Gotham titan.
However, Joker: Folie à Deux barely mentions Thomas' or Martha's deaths. Surprisingly, Harvey Dent never used it to invoke sympathy from the jury or emphasize the danger of the Joker symbol. It was also never mentioned on Gotham news networks. While Joker 2 does take place two years after the first Joker, it's surprising that Thomas' death wouldn't be a massive talking point surrounding Arthur's trial, making it all the more strange how much of the Wayne storyline from the first film the sequel ignored.
Director Todd Phillips
Release Date October 4, 2024
Runtime 138 Minutes
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English (US) ·