Featured Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Topics: Batman, DC, DC Comics, TV And Film, Warner Bros
Audiences knew going in that the Joker sequel would be a chaotic ride, however, few anticipated just how wild it would get.
Batman fans are beginning to take to their local cinemas to watch Joker: Folie à Deux, the long-awaited sequel to the 2019 movie.
Concerns have been rife regarding this film due to it featuring musical numbers – though Lady Gaga assures us all it’s not a musical.
It’s a leap of faith that many have doubted would pay off.
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Watch the Joker: Folie à Deux before you dive into any spoilers
Yet, it’s not necessarily its musical elements that have fans divided, but rather its wild ending.
Discourse has broken out on social media about how the film ends, specifically whether it’s a moment of brilliance or a massive swing and a miss.
This should go without saying but spoilers are coming.
Lots of spoilers.
At the end of the film, audiences watch as Arthur returns to prison. Harley has left him, and Arthur is seemingly coming to the conclusion that he isn’t the Joker.
But as one Redditor details, his realisation isn’t just symbolic but also a reality that’s about to cost Arthur his life.
This leads to an Arkham inmate approaching Arthur now that he’s back behind bars.
During the course of their interaction, said inmate begins telling Arthur a joke. But before Arthur can reach the punchline, this unknown inmate stabs and kills him.
What is more, the killer then uses his knife to carve a wide smile on his own face, revealing that he is the “true Joker”.
For those of you seeing the not-so-subtle connections between The Dark Knight and Heath Ledger’s Joker, you’re right to do so.
“During the Q&A they teased this was a younger version of Heath Ledger’s Joker and this was somehow an origin movie for The Dark Knight’s Joker (even though this Gotham and Nolan’s don’t jive),” explains Capable-Education724.
“Actually sounds like ass,” states one fan.
Another said, “Wait so they show you how he got those scars? Way to miss the point of that character.”
While there are many unimpressed, there are those who see this as a creative stroke of genius.
“It’s a critique on how society perpetuates violence through sensationalism, romanticism, sexualisation, and mythos [...] It’s a critique on itself,” defends one impassioned fan.
“And in the end, Fleck is killed by someone who will live up to the shadow. Someone who’s more willing to take on the role of the Joker as we know it.”
It’s an ending that’s like marmite: you love it or you hate it. That said, it has audiences talking, which is perhaps the point.