Every DC Character In Joker 2

Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for Joker: Folie a Deux. Joker: Folie a Deux takes audiences deeper into the bleak and disturbing universe of Arthur Fleck, offering a fresh, albeit grim interpretation of familiar DC characters. While firmly nestled within the DC Comics framework, this film operates outside the main DC Universe timeline, categorizing itself under the DC Elseworlds banner. This allows for a more unrestrained exploration of DC’s more infamous characters.

Joker: Folie a Deux follows Arthur Fleck, whose violent rise to infamy culminates in a series of riots across Gotham City. Following the events of the first Joker film, Arthur finds himself institutionalized in Arkham Asylum, where he encounters new figures who will shape his journey. Most notable of these is Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn, with whom Arthur Fleck quickly falls in love. The film delves into the psychological ramifications of Arthur’s previous deeds, with some new characters taken straight from DC Comics.

4 Arthur Fleck Is A New Version Of The Joker

Played By Joaquin Phoenix

The character of Arthur Fleck, played masterfully by Joaquin Phoenix, serves as a fresh and unconventional iteration of the Joker. While previous portrayals often drew directly from comic book lore, Joker: Folie a Deux firmly roots itself in a more nuanced, psychological exploration of its protagonist. This film expands upon the groundwork laid in the first installment, suggesting that Arthur is not the Joker from the comics, but rather a distinct creation. As such, Arthur’s account provides a personal narrative that contrasts sharply with the typical chaotic elements of the character’s lore.

In the comics, Joker often embodies the archetype of the unreliable narrator, a device that plays heavily into the themes of identity and perception. His infamously suggests that he prefers his origin story to be “multiple choice,” reflecting the unpredictable nature of his character. Rather than a singular transformation (like the chemical bath from the comics), Arthur Fleck’s evolution into the Joker is framed through a lens of generational trauma and societal neglect. This does not fit with any existing origin stories for Joker, though there are some similarities, including the unreliable narrator.

The public’s response to Arthur’s violence in Joker prompted violence, from which many speculated that the “real” Joker may emerge from, inspired by Arthur’s actions. This was theorized shortly after Joker but was confirmed in Joker: Folie a Deux, with the shocking and revelatory climax. While being moved to another area of Arkham, Arthur Fleck is stabbed and killed by a fellow inmate at Arkham. This follows shortly after Arthur denounces the Joker persona. These both suggest that Arthus is not the real Joker, setting the stage for a new Clown Prince of Crime.

Played By Connor Storrie

The closing moments of Joker: Folie a Deux introduce a figure who is heavily implied to be the “real” Joker, suggesting that the legacy of madness is far from over. This character, who fatally stabs Arthur, delivers a chilling joke that echoes Arthur’s “you get what you f****** deserve line” from Joker. His laughter – a disturbing, almost manic echo of Arthur’s own – hints at a transformation into a more traditional depiction of the Joker, complete with unsettling quirks and eerie behavior.

As the young inmate in Joker: Folie a Deux cuts his own face in the background during Arthur’s death, this character appears to be carving a smile onto his own face, reminiscent of previous portrayals of the Joker, such as Heath Ledger and Barry Keoghan. This act of self-mutilation also has its roots in the comics, where Joker once cut off his own face. Joker: Folie a Deux suggests that while Arthur Fleck’s journey may end, the Joker’s chaotic essence continues through others, hinting at a potential cycle of violence and insanity that is emblematic of the character’s legacy.

2 Harley Quinn Is A DC Character With Lots Of Changes

Played By Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Harley Quinn is radically different from the comics. In Folie a Deux, the character is known as Harley Quinzel, or simply “Lee,” a deviation from the comic book, where her real name was Harleen. Lee from Joker: Folie a Deux is a far more complex and empowered version of Harley, who, rather than being a victim of the Joker’s manipulations, actively seeks him out.

Lee’s obsession with Arthur Fleck signifies a stark departure from the traditional narrative, showcasing her as a figure of agency rather than merely a pawn in the Joker’s chaotic game. In Joker: Folie a Deux, Lee voluntarily enters Arkham Asylum, hoping to connect with Arthur. This is notably different from the comics, where Harley began as a psychologist working as Joker’s doctor who was slowly seduced by the villain.

This change underscores a key theme of the film: the intersection of obsession, madness, and desire. Lee’s character exhibits a manipulative streak that complicates her relationship with Arthur, presenting her as someone who wields power in ways that challenge conventional dynamics. Unlike in the comics, where Harley is often portrayed as subservient and abused, this film positions her as exerting much more control over Arthur.

However, the line between reality and illusion blurs throughout, with parts of Joker: Folie a Deux casting doubt on whether Harley is always truly present or a figment of Arthur’s imagination. This ambiguity adds layers to her character, suggesting that Arthur’s psyche may be crafting a version of Harley that reflects his own desires and fears. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes increasingly difficult to discern whether Lee’s motivations are rooted in genuine affection for Arthur, or her shared madness with Joker.

1 Harvey Dent In A Classic Batman Villain

Played By Harry Lawtey

As a respected figure in Gotham’s justice system, Harvey Dent represents the law and order that Arthur Fleck seeks to dismantle. His character is introduced as a meticulous assistant district attorney, prosecuting Arthur Fleck for his crimes in Joker. Harvey Dent diligently works to disprove the defense’s claim that the Joker was a distinct and separate personality.

This portrayal evokes the tragic arc that Dent will eventually undergo, transforming from a symbol of justice into the infamous villain known as Two-Face. His earnest attempts to uphold the law are disrupted by the chaos surrounding Arthur’s case, hinting at the systemic corruption that underpins the city. As Dent grapples with the fallout from Arthur’s actions, Joker: Folie a Deux foreshadows his own descent into darkness. The pivotal moment comes when a car bomb explodes outside the Gotham Courthouse, injuring Dent’s face and symbolizing the shattering of his ideals.

This incident serves as a catalyst for Dent’s transformation, suggesting that the chaos unleashed by Arthur Fleck’s actions could ignite the villainous persona of Two-Face within him (as well as the real Joker). The film draws parallels between Arthur’s madness and Dent’s subsequent corruption, reinforcing the idea that violence and trauma can have a profound impact on even the most principled individuals. Though not depicted in Joker: Foile a Deux, Dent will presumably experience a comparable ostracization because of his facial scarring, triggering his turn to villainy like in the comics.

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