When the Joker was released worldwide in October 2019, it elevated one of DC Comics most villainous and infamous characters – the Joker. There have been many interpretations in comics, films, and TV of the Joker, including his back story as a family man to petty criminal, as a man who snapped and went off the deep end, and his being turned into one of the most feared evil criminals in comics. Director (Todd Phillips) and Joaquin Phoenix (The Joker/Arthur Fleck) did a complete examination of class divide, how the rich get richer and the poor are left behind, and those that are voiceless in the class system. It examined the deep, complex social economic divides in society, from the other side which reflects our modern society. It showcases how one man’s descent from desperation, anguish, and deep lying resentment against an authority that disregards those without power and influence turns into the carnage, madness, and conviction displayed in the fictional city of Gotham City. Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar for Best Actor, and helped the film make over 1 billion worldwide at the box office. In the sequel, Joaquin Phoenix is joined by actress and music superstar Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. The interpretation they decide to go with regarding her character will be fascinating to find out, and hopefully will explore how they meet at Arkham Asylum.
Joker: Folie à Deux will be released across the UK and US on 4th October 2024 by Warner Bros. Pictures
