Joker: Folie à Deux Is a Darker Sequel, Will Leave DC Fans ‘Surprised’

Joker: Folie à Deux will not be a retread of the 2019 original movie, according to Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera.

Ahead of the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where Joker: Folie à Deux will have its worldwide premiere, Barbera opened up about the hotly-anticipated DC sequel, which features the return of Joaquin Phoenix in his Academy Award-winning role of Arthur Fleck. Phoenix will be joined in the sequel by Lady Gaga , who succeeds Margot Robbie as the next big-screen iteration of Harley Quinn.

In an interview with Deadline , Barbera shared, “It’s a continuation of the story but the film is completely different from the first film. If you’re expecting the same in terms of violence or other things, you’ll be surprised. When I saw the film in L.A. at the beginning of February there were four or five of us in the screening room, including writer Scott Silver, and we were astonished, our mouths were open at the end of the screening. It is a darker film.”

Barbera also touched on the DC movie’s musical elements, referring to the Joker sequel as “a dystopian musical,” while praising director Todd Phillips for making “one of the most daring, brave, and creative films in recent American cinema.” With Joker: Folie à Deux set to be released this October, fans will not have to wait long to see if they share the same sentiments as Barbera does about the movie.

What is Joker 2 about?

“Joker: Folie À Deux finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker,” reads the official synopsis. “While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that’s always been inside him.”

Along with Phoenix and Lady Gaga, Joker: Folie á Deux features returning stars Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond, Leigh Gill as Gary, and Sharon Washington as Arthur’s social worker. Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, Steve Coogan, Ken Leung, and Harry Lawtey are also part of the movie, although their respective roles remain undisclosed at this time.

Joker: Folie á Deux is directed by Phillips, who also directed 2019’s Joker, as well as The Hangover trilogy. The screenplay for Joker 2 was co-written by Phillips and Scott Silver, both of whom also wrote the first film.

Joker: Folie á Deux is scheduled to hit theaters on October 4, 2024.