Key Takeaways
- Presenting Harley Quinn as an inmate, not an Arkham Asylum employee, flips her power dynamic with Arthur Fleck.
- Harley Quinn’s origin story in Joker: Folie à Deux is more believable due to her new relationship dynamics with Arthur.
- Phillips’ portrayal in the sequel showcases Lady Gaga’s character as the real manipulator, reversing typical Joker-Harley power dynamics.
As a lifelong fan of DC Comics, I’ve seen my fair share of superhero movies, but none have left me as conflicted as Joker: Folie à Deux. On one hand, I was thrilled to see Harley Quinn portrayed in such an innovative way, flipping the power dynamic between her and Arthur Fleck that we’re so used to seeing. On the other hand, it seems Todd Phillips has managed to turn what could have been a masterpiece into a flop of epic proportions.
Among DC Comics movies, perhaps none was as eagerly awaited as “Joker: Folie à Deux,” given the near-universal acclaim for its predecessor. However, with the sequel now playing in cinemas, many who were looking forward to it are expressing regret that it ever came out.
The anticipated sequel to “Joker,” titled “Joker 2,” didn’t live up to the expectations as a critical success nor did it generate the required box office revenue to cover its costs and yield substantial profits for the studio. Its debut in cinemas and apparent shortcomings across various aspects have labeled it as a major flop. However, it’s important to note that Todd Phillips’ last venture within the DC universe didn’t fall flat in every aspect. His portrayal of Harley Quinn introduced some innovative changes to the character, which could serve as valuable insights for James Gunn as he shapes the future of the DC Universe.
Harley Quinn Flipped On Her Head
Throughout the life of Harley Quinn’s character, numerous interpretations have emerged. Despite these variations, they share common ground. Fundamentally, nearly every incarnation of Harley was initially Harleen Quinzel, a psychologist who sought to aid those confined in Arkham Asylum. However, her encounter with the Joker, the criminal underworld’s monarch, leads to significant changes. Over time, he influences her to lose her sanity and develop an affection for him.
| Cast | Joaquin Phoenix (Arthur Fleck), Lady Gaga (Harley Quinn), Harry Lawtey (Harvey Dent), Brendan Gleeson (Jackie Sullivan), Catherine Keener (Maryanne Stewart) |
|---|---|
| Premiere Date | October 4, 2024 |
In earlier iterations, it was unfortunate that Harley’s relationship with the Joker appeared tragic, as it became evident quite quickly that the Joker is incapable of loving anyone. His actions align closely with those of a psychopath. Despite seemingly showing loyalty towards Harley Quinn due to his desire for followers and reciprocated affection, when situations become challenging, the Joker has no qualms about abandoning the person he supposedly loves.
Over time, different portrayals of Harley Quinn have exhibited remarkable resilience. Notably, Margot Robbie’s portrayal and Kaley Cuoco’s character in the animated “Harley Quinn” series on Max have come to terms with the fact that The Joker was a harmful partner. As a result, Harley Quinn has become more self-reliant in movies like “Birds of Prey” and the second “Suicide Squad,” demonstrating a clear break from her toxic relationship.
It appears probable that the DC Universe will persist with a more autonomous Harley for the forthcoming James Gunn interpretation, maintaining the trajectory. Previously, Todd Phillips presented an assertive version of Harley Quinn, flipping the script due to her control over the dynamics within their relationship.
In the sequel to “Joker,” titled “Joker: Folie à Deux, ” the most noticeable and impactful alteration lies in the fact that Lady Gaga’s character is portrayed as an inmate instead of a staff member at Arkham Asylum.
In “Joker: Folie à Deux”, a noticeable shift is that Lady Gaga’s character is now an Arkham Asylum inmate instead of an employee. Although this alteration may seem minor at first glance, it significantly enhances the plausibility of her entering into a relationship with Arthur Fleck. Director Phillips emphasized that he aimed to portray all characters in his sequel through a realistic lens. This adjustment also simplifies the process of exploring her origin story in “Joker 2”, as there’s no longer a need to rush their romantic narrative.
The Sad Truth Of Arthur Fleck’s Joker
Phillips presents a significant shift in their dynamic as it’s Harley who holds the upper hand in her relationship with Arthur. She deceives him by feigning commitment to Arkham unwillingly. She also falsifies her past, including details about her family and may have even misled him about her pregnancy. These calculated deceptions mirror the manipulative tactics often employed by The Joker towards Harley Quinn in most other tales of these Batman antagonists.
Viewers may wonder about the future direction of Harley Quinn, as Todd Phillips has stated that he is finished exploring this universe.
In conclusion, it seems like the characters in “Joker: Folie à Deux” might have swapped roles. It’s suggested that Lady Gaga’s character may be the psychopath or sociopath, exploiting Joaquin Phoenix’s Fleck, who has been longing for a genuine relationship across two movies.
Certainly his mental health issues meant that he went about looking for those connections in exactly the wrong way, but that’s also what made him such a compelling person to have on the big screen. He was a Joker that people could relate to, even if they didn’t agree with what he did. It also makes Harley Quinn more interesting because she seems to have layers that even the more independent versions didn’t really have. And that’s why it’s a shame that Todd Phillips seems to have fumbled the ball, and Joker: Folie à Deux was such a flop commercially and critically.
Read More
- SOL PREDICTION. SOL cryptocurrency
- LUNC PREDICTION. LUNC cryptocurrency
- BTC PREDICTION. BTC cryptocurrency
- USD ZAR PREDICTION
- USD CLP PREDICTION
- VANRY PREDICTION. VANRY cryptocurrency
- IQ PREDICTION. IQ cryptocurrency
- RIDE PREDICTION. RIDE cryptocurrency
- KATA PREDICTION. KATA cryptocurrency
- SEILOR PREDICTION. SEILOR cryptocurrency
2024-10-14 04:03