‘Joker 2’ Ending: Was That a ‘Dark Knight’ Connection? Explaining What’s Next for Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker

As a cinema devotee with over three decades of film-watching under my belt, I must say that “Joker: Folie à Deux” has left me both intrigued and a tad bittersweet. Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Arthur Fleck once again proves his unparalleled acting prowess, and the addition of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn adds a fresh twist to the DC universe.


⚠️ WARNING: This article reveals crucial details about the ending of “Joker: Folie à Deux” currently showing in cinemas. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers!

In “Joker: Folie à Deux,” Joaquin Phoenix reapplies his clown makeup, a role he won an Oscar for in 2019. This time, he’s working alongside another Academy Award winner, Lady Gaga, who portrays the infamous DC Comics character Harley Quinn.

In the sequel to the comic book, events unfold following those depicted in “Joker,” with Arthur Fleck, portrayed by Phoenix, standing trial for the murders he carried out in the initial film. His attorney, characteristically played by Catherine Keener, posits that Arthur and Joker are distinct individuals. She suggests that due to years of traumatic childhood experiences, Arthur created an alternate personality, independent from his own consciousness. The opposition in this case is led by assistant district attorney Harvey Dent, portrayed by Harry Lawtey, a character who will later be recognized as the villainous Two Face from Batman comics.

In the trial, the jury finds Dent guilty of murder, while Arthur is convicted. Just as proceedings were about to resume, a bomb detonates outside the courthouse, causing widespread confusion and turmoil. With two accomplices loyal to the Joker, Arthur manages a brief escape, but he’s eventually recaptured by law enforcement and sent back to Arkham Asylum. Moreover, Harvey Dent seems to have sustained facial injuries during the courtroom blast, which could pave the way for his transformation into Two-Face down the line.

The film concludes with a grisly scene: The following day, an amused, evidently deranged Arkham Asylum inmate, portrayed by Connor Storrie, ambushes Arthur. He shares a humorous anecdote before repeatedly plunging a knife into Arthur’s abdomen. Mortally wounded, Arthur collapses and seems to expire, leaving behind a pool of blood. The unidentified maniac erupts in unrestrained laughter and carves a Glasgow smile onto Arthur’s face with a blade.

Fans of DC comics have speculated that the murderer in question might be a nod to Heath Ledger’s Joker from “The Dark Knight,” given they share similar scarring around their mouths. However, Todd Phillips’ “Joker” and Christopher Nolan’s “Batman” series occur in distinct timeframes and fictional realms, so it seems improbable that the character portrayed by Storrie has any connection to Ledger’s character.

In “The Dark Knight,” the Joker’s backstory remains largely mysterious, and he gives varying explanations about how he obtained his facial scars. At the start of the film, he suggests that his father inflicted them while drunk during his childhood, but later claims they were self-inflicted following his wife’s disfigurement due to gambling debts. It is worth noting that “The Dark Knight” was set in the 2000s, whereas the “Joker” films take place in the ’80s, suggesting that the “Folie a Deux” character may simply be a nod to Heath Ledger’s award-winning performance.

It seems like Joaquin Phoenix is retiring his iconic red suit and clown makeup along with “Folie à Deux.” The Joker movies have been standalone, unrelated to Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” or the revamped DC Universe led by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Given this, it’s not expected that Phoenix’s character will return or be revisited. A possible future for live-action Joker could be Barry Keoghan reprising his role from the end of “The Batman,” potentially in a sequel by Matt Reeves set for 2026.

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2024-10-05 02:46