Joker 2: What"s Real & What Is In Arthur"s Mind

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Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for Joker: Folie a Deux.
One of the most dynamic elements of Joker: Folie a Deux is the combination of bleak realism and glamorous delusion, but the line delineating them is less clear than it first appeared. In DC"s much-anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Joker, director Todd Phillips dives deeper into the psyche of Arthur Fleck, aka the Joker. As Joker: Folie a Deux unfolds, audiences are left to discern what is genuinely happening and what is a product of Arthur"s fragmented psyche.
Joker: Folie a Deux depicts Arthur Fleck’s criminal trial in the wake of his crimes in Joker. During this, Joaquin Phoenix’s Fleck encounters Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, aka Lee. The resulting narrative explores Arthur Fleck’s troubled mind, raising intriguing questions about the nature of his experiences and relationships, particularly in regard to precisely what in the movie is real or imagined.
What In Joker 2 Is Real Explained Close Throughout Joker: Folie a Deux, several key elements anchor the narrative in reality. Though certainly vague in the beginning of the movie, it is likely that Lee is real, as she is depicted interacting with other characters independently of Arthur. There are also some scenes from her perspective, such as her stealing the television and confronting Arthur’s attorney. However, as discussed below, some scenes with Lee are likely not to be real.
Moreover, the film features numerous singing scenes devoid of musical accompaniment, suggesting they are real experiences rather than imaginative constructs. These include some of the early interactions between Arthur and Lee, as well as the tense interview scene. These scenes resonate with a gritty realism that contrasts sharply with more stylized, imagined sequences. These moments capture the stark and often bleak nature of Arthur"s existence in Gotham, underscoring the emotional weight of his journey.
The overall tone of Joker: Folie a Deux leans toward the grim and gritty, maintaining the style of its predecessor. Scenes filled with violence, despair, and stark social commentary seem to be grounded in the film"s reality. For example, Arthur"s interactions with security guards and his attorney.
What In Joker 2 Is In Arthur's Mind Explained

Custom Image by Grant Hermanns Many of the more flamboyant and stylized scenes in Joker: Folie a Deux are likely products of Arthur"s imagination or a joint delusion with Lee. This is particularly evident during the variety show segments in which Arthur and Lee perform song and dance numbers. All of these scenes are obviously mounted on constructed soundstages, recalling the era of classic musicals. The dramatic moment where the Joker kills Harvey Dent and the judge during the court scene is also firmly inside Arthur’s mind.
These events carry a heightened sense of theatricality that suggests they are manifestations of Arthur"s chaotic thoughts rather than factual occurrences. The movie even directly references this, when several characters suggest to Arthur that blackouts or seeing bright lights could indicate his failing mental health. The musical numbers inside Arthur"s mind are typically transitioned to using a blackout edit, before bright stage lights appear for the lavish stage numbers.

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