Joker: Folie à Deux is a 2024 American psychological musical thriller directed by Todd Phillips. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck/Joker and Lady Gaga as Lee Quinzel, with Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Zazie Beetz, Steve Coogan, Harry Lawtey, Leigh Gill, Ken Leung, and Jacob Lofland in supporting roles. The film is a sequel to Joker (2019) and is based on characters from DC Comics.
Movie Details
| Movie | Joker: Folie à Deux |
| Release Date | October 4, 2024 (United States) |
| International Release | October 2, 2024 |
| Runtime | 138 minutes |
| Rating | R |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genres | Drama, Musical, Thriller, Crime |
| Director | Todd Phillips |
| Writers | Todd Phillips, Scott Silver |
| Based On | Characters from DC Comics |
| Producers | Todd Phillips, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Joseph Garner |
| Production Companies | Warner Bros., Domain Entertainment, Joint Effort |
| Distributor | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Budget | Approximately $190 million |
| Worldwide Box Office | Approximately $207.5 million |
Joker: Folie à Deux was released by Warner Bros. Pictures in October 2024. The film had a reported production budget of approximately $190 million and earned approximately $207.5 million worldwide.
Joker: Folie à Deux Trailer
The official trailer was released by Warner Bros. on July 23, 2024.
Joker: Folie à Deux Cast
- Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck / Joker
- Lady Gaga as Lee Quinzel
- Brendan Gleeson as Jackie Sullivan
- Catherine Keener as Maryanne Stewart
- Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond
- Steve Coogan as Paddy Meyers
- Harry Lawtey as Harvey Dent
- Leigh Gill as Gary Puddles
- Ken Leung as Dr. Victor Liu
- Jacob Lofland as Ricky Meline
- Bill Smitrovich as Judge Herman Rothwax
- Sharon Washington as Debra Kane
- Gattlin Griffith as Young Joker Double
- Connor Storrie as Young Inmate
The principal cast and character credits are documented by Apple TV, DC, and the film’s full credits.
Joker: Folie à Deux Story & Plot
Following the events of Joker (2019), Arthur Fleck is being held at Arkham State Hospital while awaiting trial for the crimes he committed as the Joker. Arthur is struggling with the difference between his real identity and the Joker persona that Gotham has created around him.
While at Arkham, Arthur meets Lee Quinzel, a fellow patient who is fascinated by the Joker. The two develop a relationship, and Arthur begins to reconnect with the Joker identity through their shared fantasies and musical sequences.
As Arthur’s trial approaches, his lawyer attempts to argue that the Joker and Arthur Fleck are separate personalities. Arthur initially embraces the attention surrounding the Joker, but his feelings begin to change as he confronts the consequences of his actions and the people he has hurt.
Arthur eventually decides to reject the Joker persona and accept responsibility for his crimes. His decision changes his relationship with Lee, who is attracted to the Joker image rather than the vulnerable man behind it.
The trial descends into chaos, and a bombing outside the courthouse creates an opportunity for Arthur to escape temporarily. However, Arthur’s attempt to reconnect with Lee fails, and he is eventually captured and returned to Arkham.
Joker: Folie à Deux Ending Explained
At the end of the film, Arthur finally rejects the idea that he is the Joker. During his trial, he accepts responsibility for his crimes and makes it clear that the Joker persona is not who he truly is.
This decision destroys his relationship with Lee. She wanted the larger-than-life Joker persona and loses interest when Arthur chooses to acknowledge himself as Arthur Fleck.
After the courthouse bombing, Arthur briefly escapes with the help of Joker supporters. However, he abandons them because he realizes that they are interested in the Joker rather than in him as a person. Arthur later encounters Lee, but she refuses to return to him and walks away.
Arthur is arrested and taken back to Arkham State Hospital. The next day, while being taken through the facility, he is approached by another young inmate. The inmate tells Arthur a joke before suddenly stabbing him multiple times.
Arthur collapses and dies from his injuries. As Arthur lies dying, the film briefly returns to his fantasy of Lee shooting him.
The final moments show the young inmate cutting a smile into his own face. The scene strongly suggests that Arthur Fleck was not the final Joker of this story. Instead, the Joker identity and legend survive through another person who has been inspired by Arthur.
The ending therefore separates Arthur Fleck from the traditional Joker identity. Arthur dies after rejecting the Joker persona, while another inmate appears ready to take up the symbol that Arthur unintentionally helped create.
What Does the Ending of Joker: Folie à Deux Mean?
The ending focuses on the difference between Arthur Fleck and the Joker myth that Gotham created around him. Arthur spends much of the movie struggling with whether he should become the person that others expect him to be.
When Arthur finally rejects the Joker identity, he loses the people and followers who were interested in the Joker rather than Arthur himself. His death then shows that the Joker has become larger than the individual who originally carried the name.
The young inmate’s final action reinforces this idea. He copies the Joker’s famous smile, suggesting that the identity can continue even after Arthur’s death.
Where to Watch Joker: Folie à Deux Online
Availability varies by country and can change over time. Use the official services below to check whether Joker: Folie à Deux is currently available in your region.
Note: Streaming, rental, and purchase availability differs by territory. Current listings show the film on services including Netflix and digital purchase/rental platforms in some markets.
Joker: Folie à Deux FAQs
Is Joker: Folie à Deux a sequel to Joker?
Yes. Joker: Folie à Deux is the direct follow-up to Todd Phillips’ Joker (2019), with Joaquin Phoenix returning as Arthur Fleck.
Who plays Joker in Joker: Folie à Deux?
Joaquin Phoenix returns as Arthur Fleck/Joker. Lady Gaga plays Lee Quinzel.
Who plays Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux?
Lady Gaga plays Lee Quinzel, the film’s version of Harley Quinn.
Who directed Joker: Folie à Deux?
Todd Phillips directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Silver.
How long is Joker: Folie à Deux?
The movie has a runtime of 138 minutes, or 2 hours and 18 minutes.
What happens to Arthur Fleck at the end?
Arthur is returned to Arkham after the courthouse bombing and is later stabbed to death by another inmate.
Is Arthur Fleck the real Joker?
The ending separates Arthur Fleck from the traditional Joker identity. Arthur rejects the Joker persona before his death, while another inmate adopts the iconic smile, suggesting that someone else may become the Joker.
Does Lee Quinzel stay with Arthur?
No. Lee leaves Arthur after he rejects the Joker identity and accepts responsibility for his actions.
Is there a post-credits scene in Joker: Folie à Deux?
No traditional post-credits scene introduces another storyline. The film’s final inmate sequence is part of the ending itself.
Is Joker: Folie à Deux based on DC Comics?
Yes. The movie is based on characters from DC Comics, although it tells a standalone interpretation of Arthur Fleck’s story.
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