A new image from Joker: Folie à Deux has been revealed, and it proves that the Joker sequel is nailing the relationship between Arthur Fleck/Joker (Joaquin Phoenix) and Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga). After the success of Todd Phillips’ Joker in 2019, which introduced a new version of the famous Batman villain without a proper connection to the Caped Crusader, Phillips and Phoenix are teaming up again for a sequel, titled Joker: Folie à Deux. The movie is expected to continue Arthur’s story now that he’s in Arkham Asylum, but the sequel comes with a twist as it will be a musical.
Joker: Folie à Deux will also introduce Harley Quinn, the Joker’s psychiatrist-turned-lover and partner in crime. Plot details about Joker 2 are still unknown, and the only hints are a pic of Arthur getting a shave at Arkham Asylum, confirming that he’s still there during the events of the sequel, and a photo of Harley and Arthur. Although the latter arrived without any type of context or comment from Phillips or Gaga, it gives a good look at what the relationship between Joker and Harley Quinn is like, proving that Joker 2 is nailing its portrayal of this chaotic couple.
Folie à Deux Image Perfectly Captures Harley Quinn's Joker Obsession
The Joker: Folie à Deux image of Harley Quinn and Joker is simple but quite meaningful. It shows Gaga’s Harley Quinn being confronted by Phoenix’s Joker, most likely somewhere in Arkham Asylum, with Arthur wearing his Joker makeup and Harley’s lips and nose painted red, hinting at the two sharing a kiss seconds before. Harley’s expression is what truly captures the essence of their relationship, as the photo shows the obsession between them and how infatuated with him she becomes, which then leads to her becoming his romantic partner and partner in crime as well, while the Joker lovingly stares at her.
Folie à Deux Really Needs To Get Joker & Harley Quinn's Romance Right
Adapting the relationship between the Joker and Harley Quinn comes with a huge risk due to the complexity and toxicity of the romance, and if it’s not done right, it can fall into dangerous territory by glamorizing abuse. The romance between the Joker and Harley Quinn is known for its abusive and codependent nature, with Harley enduring physical, psychological, and emotional abuse from the Joker, yet she kept going back to him due to her deep feelings of abandonment. Their relationship is undeniably complex, and Joker: Folie à Deux needs to find the right balance for it to work on screen by staying true to what the audience expects from it (intensity, madness, and also both caring deeply for each other) but also making something that fits the universe of this Joker, mainly because the first movie was so unique.
Most importantly, and as mentioned above, Joker: Folie à Deux mustn’t fall into the mistake of glamorizing and romanticizing the toxicity of the Joker and Harley’s relationship, so even though they are the movie’s main characters and couple, it must be clear that their romance is not one to look up to. The title of Joker: Folie à Deux already hints at the story bringing all of these elements together, so now it’s only a matter of waiting to see how Phillips and company have translated all the layers in the Joker and Harley Quinn’s relationship into the big screen and the world these movies are set in, and most importantly, if it will avoid the previously mentioned mistakes.
