Director Todd Phillips returned to helm this ambitious project, but the result was a marked departure from the original's tone and atmosphere. While the first film captivated audiences with its dark, gritty, and edgy portrayal of a broken society, Folie à Deux took a surprisingly lighter approach. Despite tackling serious themes such as abuse of power and mental health, the sequel lacked the tension and real-world feel that made its predecessor so compelling. The storytelling felt disjointed at times, with noticeable gaps that felt like a lack of full commitment from the writers and director.
Phillips' decision to transform the sequel into a musical was a bold risk that yielded mixed results. The reasoning behind this choice was understandable, but it created a stark contrast to the original film's tone. The musical numbers, while catchy and fitting for the 1970s setting, often felt oddly placed and overly long, disrupting the flow of the narrative.
Despite these shortcomings, the film had strong performances from its lead actors. Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga demonstrated excellent chemistry. They had depth and nuance to their respective roles as Arthur Fleck and Harley Quinn but unfortunately no other cast members were memorable or fully development.
Visually, Folie à Deux did a nice job with its attention to detail in lighting and makeup. However, some creative choices, such as mixing men and women in the same prison, questioned the credibility of the film and further distanced the film from the grounded realism of its predecessor.
In the end, Joker: Folie à Deux was a bold but uneven sequel that struggled to recapture the magic of the original. While it offered strong performances and impressive visuals, its tonal shift and musical elements were divisive with a less cohesive experience than its predecessor.