Joker: Folie à Deux 2024 Parents Guide Age Rating

Joker: Folie à Deux is rated R by the Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for some strong violence, language throughout, some sexuality, and brief full nudity.

Director: Todd Phillips

Main Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie Beetz, and Lady Gaga

Release Date: October 4, 2024

Joker was initially planned to be an individual movie that does not have a specific sequel, prequel, or any other related movie. The directors intended to present us with a psychological insight into the famous villain, the Clown Prince of Crime, as in the movie Taxi Driver. Joker is a character study of a raving lunatic named Arthur Fleck, played by Joaquin Phoenix, as he transforms into the clown prince of crime. The movie was highly profitable with ticket sales outdoing many of the Batman films themselves. Audiences were drawn in by Phoenix’s raw and powerful portrayal, as well as the noirish tone of the film. The climax of the story was completely topsy-turvy, and the directors never intended to indulge in a follow-up film.

However, the movie’s huge success led to the creation of a second installment, Joker: Folie à Deux (literally, “Madness for Two” in French). This sequel is what happens when filmmakers attempt to recreate the formula of the original and unfortunately, while adding musical numbers is not a bad idea, it does not have much to bring to the film. This second movie disappoints with lengthy scenes of Arthur delivering cold looks while holding and smoking cigarettes intermingled with unimaginative musical numbers.

Plot Summary: Folie à Deux

At the beginning of Folie à Deux, Arthur is incarcerated in Arkham State Hospital for the mass shooting of five individuals, one of them being the presenter Murray Franklin. Arthur has earned infamy for himself in connection to his crimes, yet he isn’t particularly fond of it. However, he finds himself in a cage with the other prisoners, and, as one can only imagine, he is harassed by the jailers, particularly Jackie, portrayed by Brendan Gleeson.

During his time in the minimum-security wing of the psychiatric facility called Arkham, Arthur comes across a woman named Lee, portrayed by Lady Gaga. She has a strong attraction to him and immediately becomes his stalker. Arthur craves a positive acknowledgment from his superiors, and thus he reciprocates her feelings. While Arthur’s trial starts, another key character from Batman lore, District Attorney Harvey Dent, also attempts to ensure Arthur is convicted and sentenced to death via electric chair. However, such is not the case as Arthur is hardly paying attention to the happenings within the courtroom. He cares more about denying reality and just playing games with Lee in this imagined world. Together, they decide to burst out singing songs to free their emotions, which underscores how separated they are from actuality.

The film begins with a cartoon: a parody of the famous Looney Tunes series, with Joker as the protagonist who is constantly struggling with his own shadow. This lighthearted bow suggests that Folie à Deux might be more chaotic and abrasive in its portrayal of the gritty Gotham City. However, after this brief exposure to black humor, the movie returns to the grim and dreary atmosphere of Arkham.

Arthur’s routine is dull. For distraction from his problems, he chain-smokes, and due to his «Joker» personality, he has many friends among other prisoners. However, it appears that he only wakes up from this trap when Lee comes into his life. Viewers familiar with the comics or other films related to Batman may have different expectations of this movie, for Lee is a version of the Harley Quinn character and the audience might expect to see the detailed plot of their relationship here. However, their relationship is not well developed in the film. Instead, the relationship serves as a pretext for more musical numbers, in which Arthur and Lee perform renditions of such popular songs as ‘That’s Entertainment’ or ‘Get Happy’. Lady Gaga shines more than Phoenix in these musical sequences with a much better voice and energy.

However, there are just a few scenes when Arthur daydreams about himself in different environments (a bard singing in a 1970s show, turning the courtroom into a stage, etc.) and the romantic feelings between Arthur and Lee are never built up in the film. Their onscreen chemistry leaves the audience convinced that the two are mere co-actors portraying lovers, rendering Folie à Deux un surprisingly cold movie. The movie seems to aim at developing an intimate rapport between two socially awkward personalities, although it fails in this pursuit.

The setting of the movie is primarily a courtroom and focuses on Arthur’s lawyer, played by Catherine Keener, trying to prevent him from getting the death penalty. That being said, the courtroom aspect is not very thrilling. The only scene that can be considered as effective is when a man named Gary, who was seen in the beginning, and barely survived an attack on the protagonist Arthur agrees to testify. Other than that, many of the legal processes appear rather monotonous.

Instead of adding a twist to the notion of Arthur desiring to become the Joker but failing in the attempt, the movie draws back the curtain and lays bare the simple fact that Arthur is the Joker. These critics that the film mostly revisits established psychological concepts from the first movie. It seems like the makers of the movie were desperate to come up with a new story to depict, considering that many viewers are left confused as to why there is even a sequel (other than making more profits, of course).

Joker: Despite this, Folie à Deux is stunning to look at—the cinematography and sound design are immaculate. However, nothing is striking or innovative in the film besides the exceptional technical aspects. It seems like a reuse of the concept of the original Joker movie but without much addition to the plot. Thus, although some people will appreciate the return to the dark and hectic atmosphere of the first film, others are likely to regard this film as a tedious and redundant sequel of the story that was told completely in the first part.

Joker: Folie à Deux 2024 Parents Guide Age Rating

Violence: The film contains several violent and graphic scenes. Arthur Fleck, as the Joker, struggles with his mental illness and occasionally acts out in dangerous and brutal ways. Arthur is shown fighting with inmates in Arkham State Hospital and has violent outbursts when he’s pushed beyond his limits. These scenes are intense and may involve blood or injuries. take place between Arthur and the hospital guards, especially one guard who regularly bullies him. The violence here is raw and cruel, intended to highlight the torment Arthur endures. Arthur’s past crimes, including the murders from the first film, are discussed in detail, including footage or flashbacks that may remind viewers of his violent acts. A particularly disturbing trial scene features vivid testimony from a former victim of Arthur’s violence. The emotional impact of the testimony is intense and upsetting. The animated sequence at the beginning includes violent imagery, such as Arthur (Joker) battling his shadow. Though cartoonish in style, it still represents his internal struggle with madness. Arthur has mental breakdowns where he lashes out violently, causing harm to those around him. The psychological intensity of these moments can be disturbing for viewers, as his mental instability is portrayed with graphic detail.

Language: Frequent use of strong language throughout the movie. Words such as f*, s***, a******, and b****** are used consistently, especially during moments of anger or intense frustration. Arthur and the other characters curse openly in dialogue, which includes both casual and highly emotional scenes. There are also instances of insults or degrading language aimed at Arthur, particularly from the guards and other inmates in Arkham, which may come across as abusive.

Sexuality and Nudity: There are scenes of brief but explicit nudity, particularly involving Arthur when he is shown partially nude while locked up in Arkham. This nudity is not sexual but rather meant to show his vulnerability and deteriorating state. One scene may feature Arthur partially undressed during his struggles in the hospital, as he appears disheveled and unwell. There are moments in the movie where Arthur and Lee (Harley Quinn) share intimate moments. While their relationship is strange and non-traditional, there are scenes where the two sing and dance together, implying a twisted romantic connection. No explicit sexual acts are shown on screen, but there are suggestive moments where the relationship between Arthur and Lee leans toward romantic tension. This includes touching and closeness, though it’s mostly through their musical interactions that their feelings are expressed.

Substance Use: Smoking is present throughout the movie. Arthur frequently chain-smokes cigarettes, especially during his more stressful or introspective moments. Smoking is shown as a coping mechanism for Arthur, adding to the portrayal of his declining mental state.

Emily Johnson is a seasoned journalist and author dedicated to helping parents navigate the world of Hollywood entertainment through thoughtful, family-oriented film reviews. With over a decade of experience in writing and a passion for fostering safe, enriching viewing experiences, Stephanie launched movitrailer.com to provide parents with the insights they need to make informed choices for their families. Author Page

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