The director Todd Phillips has made some very daring decisions when releasing Joker: Folie à Deux, the highly anticipated sequel to Joker (2019). The first, and perhaps the most debated in recent months, has been turning this sequel into a criminal musical, something that has puzzled many fans. The second, and perhaps the most unexpected, is the ending he wanted to give to his film. An out-of-focus denouement that surprisingly establishes an unexpected bridge with Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.
Spoiler Alert. The article contains details of the ending of Joker: Folie à Deux
Although in the first film there were barely any references to Batman and the most well-known elements of the Gotham universe, Joker: Folie à Deux has followed a similar path, but has left a final scene that links it to Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. An out-of-focus epilogue that, without making an explicit connection, has enough common elements with the Joker that Heath Ledger immortalized in 2008 to leave little room for speculation.
The Birth of a New Joker
One of the most shocking moments in the film is the death of Arthur Fleck. After his stay at Arkham psychiatric hospital, awaiting trial for the murders committed in the first installment, Arthur develops a certain relationship with another inmate. However, towards the end of the film, in an unexpected twist, Arthur is brutally murdered by this mysterious Arkham prisoner.
This young inmate, portrayed by Jacob Lofland, accompanies Arthur in several moments of the film showing a growing interest in his Joker persona. However, his role takes on a symbolic and narrative weight in the last minutes of the film. Lofland’s character stabs Arthur several times in the stomach, leaving him to die while laughing maniacally. And yes, the laughter is completely recognizable from another cinematic version of The Joker that we already know. At that moment, in the background of the scene and out of focus, in a gesture that astonishes viewers, his mouth is cut, giving him a permanent smile similar to the one Heath Ledger’s Joker had in The Dark Knight.
The Connection with Christopher Nolan’s Trilogy
Although the director of The Hangover has never intended his Joker films to be part of the extended DC Comics universe or directly connect with other adaptations, this final scene in Joker: Folie à Deux shows enough elements to directly link it to Nolan’s trilogy. In The Dark Knight (2008), Heath Ledger’s Joker is characterized not only by his erratic behavior and witty dialogues, but also by his sinister permanent smile, the result of scars he inflicted upon himself, without ever clarifying their origin.
The fact that Jacob Lofland’s character self-inflicts these same scars right after killing Arthur Fleck and unleashes his iconic maniacal laugh, suggests that he is the one who truly becomes the Joker we all know as Batman’s main nemesis. Phillips plays with this idea, leaving it ambiguous and open to interpretation, but for many fans, it is evident that this scene is a tribute or a reimagining of the origin of Ledger’s Joker.
A Third Film or a Harley Quinn Spin-Off?
With the conclusion of Joker: Folie à Deux, speculation arises about the future of the franchise. On one hand, Arthur Fleck’s fate seems clear: his story has come to an end. However, Jacob Lofland’s character could be the focus of a new film exploring his version of the Joker. The nod to Nolan’s trilogy could simply be a homage, but it could also serve as a starting point for a new approach to the conflict between the Joker and the Dark Knight in future productions, regardless of The Batman sequel.
It wouldn’t be far-fetched for Warner Bros. to decide to continue exploring his story and make it the spiritual heir of The Joker
On the other hand, Harley Quinn’s character, portrayed by Lady Gaga, has been one of the highlights of the film. Her relationship with Arthur Fleck, though musical and symbolic, has not reached the depth many expected, and some wonder if the future of the franchise could focus more on her. Could Harley Quinn have her own spin-off film in this universe? Given the character’s popularity in other cinematic contexts, it wouldn’t be far-fetched for Warner Bros. to decide to continue exploring her story and make her the spiritual heir of The Joker, thus following the character’s evolution of Gaga in this same film.
What we can be sure of is that, if there is a third installment of the series, it will not be Phillips who brings it to the big screen, as the director has just confirmed to Hollywood Reporter the end of his involvement with the franchise. As with many big productions, leaks have started to appear. Despite the production team’s efforts to keep the ending a secret, the scene where Jacob Lofland becomes the new Joker can already be easily found on the Internet.
Joker: Folie à Deux has just been released in theaters, and while its ending may divide viewers, there is no doubt that the film has once again put the Clown Prince of Crime in the spotlight of fans. For those who want to relive Arthur Fleck’s origin, the first Joker film is available for streaming on Max. It is unknown when the second installment will land.
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