In 'Joker: Folie à Deux,' the joke's on you

Did I just watch a courtroom drama about Arthur Fleck, aka Batman's arch nemesis Joker, or the trial of Ted Bundy?

With "Joker: Folie à Deux," general audiences will still get a story that does not at all feel like a comic book movie, while fans of the first film may be scratching their heads over what they are seeing. Maintaining the dark character study of "Joker," and an R rating, this sequel evolves into more of a courtroom drama that borders on a musical.

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There are frequent musical interludes, which are quite amusing — a major feature of this film that otherwise falls flat. Ultimately, it ends up being more minor compared to its predecessor and fails to fit the cadence of the first film. This sequel can drag on at a seemingly adagio pace, leaving viewers yearning for an accelerando. If you're a fan of 2019's "Joker," this sequel might not be your forte. While it might not get high praise from fans, it is possible for "Joker: Folie à Deux" to strike a chord with viewers if they expect something completely different.

In other words, if "Joker" was akin to Weezer's iconic blue album, then "Folie à Deux" may come across to fans like their sophomore release "Pinkerton." But it's worth noting that, over time, "Pinkerton" found its own audience. The album eventually became a bit of a phenomenon, amassed its own cult following, and is now considered to be one of the band's best. Could "Folie à Deux" be awaiting a similar fate?

What to expect with "Joker: Folie à Deux"

Once again, Todd Phillips directs and co-writes. Joaquin Phoenix returns as Arthur Fleck / Joker. Lady Gaga steps into the role of Harley Quinn. Just as in the comics and the Batman animated series, romance binds Harley Quinn and Joker together, creating the basis for the film's title "Joker: Folie à Deux" — a French term meaning a shared psychosis, madness, or delusion.

But this film comes with the subtitle, "The world is a stage," and this is what "Joker: Folie à Deux" truly leans into. We find Arthur Fleck imprisoned at Arkham Asylum, about two years after the first film. He is awaiting trial for everything that happened in "Joker."

The Joker persona has garnered a level of celebrity status during this time, as the public debates whether such evil deeds could have been carried out by psychologically damaged Arthur. Did he just snap and is mentally incapable of understanding what has happened, or is the Joker a very real villain? Arthur also struggles with this debate. Amid all this, he meets Lee Quinzel and sparks fly. As their romance blooms, she encourages one side of Arthur, while his lawyer encourages another.

That sets the stage for "Joker: Folie à Deux" — a courtroom drama accented by musical performances (hey, they got Lada Gaga for a reason). Music, and the fantasy that it can induce, guides the audience through the movie, and the trial. Arthur Fleck, aka Joker, is finally an entertainer, however, it's not on late night TV or at a comedy club. Whether at Arkham or in the courtroom, it's all a stage.

"Joker: Folie à Deux": A courtroom musical with hints of Ted Bundy

The first film presented layers exploring mental illness, abuse, inequality, and more as Arthur Fleck becomes Joker. This courtroom sequel doesn't get nearly as deep.

Lady Gaga was a smart casting choice as Lee Quinzel / Harley Quinn. She's perfect. She uplifts this movie. But she's also a bit of a missed opportunity. For a film themed as "a madness shared by two," one would expect Harley Quinn's character — her motivations, her life, her drama — to be more on display.

It is difficult to not draw strong correlations between "Folie à Deux" and the real life trial of serial killer Ted Bundy, which is remembered for being as entertaining and dramatic as it was a legal proceeding. "Folie à Deux" is even set in roughly the same time period as Bundy's trial. Bundy cracked jokes, presented a charming demeanor, and even proposed to his girlfriend while she was testifying on the stand. This was all on camera, a rather new media development at the time. Was it a trial, or reality TV? A similar cavalier fantasy surrounds Arthur in "Joker: Folie à Deux," despite the very serious story unfolding before him.

This film perhaps prompts one to wonder if it is as much about Joker as it is the audience's relationship with media, reality TV, and the fervor for evil characters. Is the joke on us?

"Joker: Folie à Deux"

3/5 stars

Good for kids: No

Screen or stream? Only hardcore fans need to enjoy this on the big screen, in a movie theater. For the general audience, "Joker: Folie à Deux" is worth waiting to stream at home.