Joker: Folie à Deux has finally hit the theaters, and most fans are left puzzled by its ending. Keep reading for a full analysis of the Joker 2/Joker: Folie à Deux ending that director Todd Phillips created!
Joker 2 Ending: Arthur Fleck Renounces the Joker
The Warner Bros. sequel to the wildly successful 2019 film Joker takes us deeper into Arthur Fleck's fractured psyche. Joker: Folie à Deux (French for "Madness of Two") continues the chilling journey of Arthur (Joaquin Phoenix), as he enters into a relationship with Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga.
The ending of Joker 2 leaves viewers with many questions. In a shocking turn of events, Arthur renounces his Joker persona, declaring that "there is no Joker." Arthur Fleck is not the "real Joker." Also, a young inmate (Connor Storrie is the actor who plays the Arkham Asylum inmate) stabs Arthur and kills him in the final scene of the movie.
Arthur Fleck's Decision to Let Go
The ending of Joker 2 takes us to a courthouse scene, where Arthur finally decides to abandon the Joker identity. He reflects on the destruction and chaos brought by his alter ego and ultimately chooses to renounce the Joker, stating that he no longer wishes to be part of that persona. This moment marks a significant turning point in Arthur's journey, as he attempts to separate himself from the chaotic identity that had consumed him.
The Joker 2 ending reveals that Arthur's decision to let go of the Joker is met with disappointment and abandonment. Harley Quinn, who had seemingly been his closest ally, no longer finds any interest in him once he is no longer the Joker. She ultimately leaves him behind, as do his followers, who only cared for the chaotic and charismatic figure that Arthur had become. This abandonment underscores the film's message: people do not care about the real you, they only care about you when you are who they want you to be.
Harley Quinn's Abandonment
One of the key figures in Joker: Folie à Deux is Harley Quinn (Lee Quinzel), and the Joker 2 ending raises critical questions about her true motivations. Throughout the movie, Harley appears devoted to Arthur, supporting him through his darkest moments. However, once Arthur renounces his Joker persona, Harley's demeanor changes. She no longer shows affection for Arthur and ultimately abandons him, proving that her loyalty was tied to the Joker identity rather than Arthur himself.
This narrative twist reveals a deeper truth about Harley's character and her motivations. Harley was drawn to the Joker's chaotic and powerful presence, not to the vulnerable, broken man underneath. Arthur's attempt to be true to himself, to shed the Joker identity, is met with rejection by the person he believed cared for him the most.
The Followers Turn Away
The Joker 2 ending also shows Arthur's followers abandoning him after he renounces the Joker. These followers, who had idolized the Joker as a symbol of rebellion against society, lose interest in Arthur once he decides to leave that persona behind. This stark shift in loyalty further emphasizes the theme of conditional love and support. Arthur's followers never cared for him as an individual; they only cared for the idea of the Joker, a symbol that they could rally behind.
Arthur's realization that his followers and even Harley only valued him for his Joker persona is a sobering moment. It highlights the idea that people only support you when you are what they want you to be, not when you choose to be true to yourself.
The Symbolism Behind Arthur's Renouncement
The Joker: Folie à Deux ending can be viewed as a metaphor for the struggle between personal identity and societal expectations. Arthur's renouncement of the Joker symbolizes his desire to reclaim control over his own life, free from the expectations and demands of those around him. However, this decision comes at a cost: the loss of the people who once supported him.
"Folie à Deux" translates to "Madness of Two," which alludes to the shared psychosis between Arthur and Harley. However, by the end of the film, it becomes clear that their bond was not built on true understanding or acceptance. Harley was drawn to the power and chaos of the Joker, not the man behind the mask. When Arthur chooses to reject that identity, the shared madness disintegrates, leaving him isolated once again.
Audience Reaction: A Reflection of Arthur's Journey
Interestingly, the Joker 2 ending has also sparked mostly negative reactions among viewers, mirroring the reaction of the characters within the film. Many viewers have expressed disappointment, criticizing the ending for Arthur's decision to abandon the Joker persona. This reaction mirrors the response of Harley and the followers in the film, who only cared for Arthur as the Joker and not as himself.
This meta-narrative serves as a commentary on society's fascination with larger-than-life personas. Just as Arthur's followers abandoned him when he stopped being the Joker, most viewers have criticized the film for taking away the Joker persona they found captivating. They did not like that Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck does not go on to fight Batman. It speaks to the theme that people only care for and prefer the version of you that entertains or inspires them, rather than accepting who you truly are.
Conclusion: Joker 2 Ending Explained
The ending of Joker: Folie à Deux leaves us with a poignant message: people only care about you if you are what they want you to be, not if you are who you want to be. So F*CK people and society.
Arthur's renouncement of the Joker persona is a brave attempt to reclaim his own identity, but it comes at the cost of losing those who claimed to care for him. Harley Quinn and the followers abandon him, leaving Arthur isolated, yet perhaps more true to himself than ever before.
The Joker 2 ending is a sobering reflection on the nature of identity, acceptance, and the conditional nature of love and support from other human beings. It challenges viewers to question whether they value people for who they truly are or simply for the roles they play. With the Joker: Folie à Deux ending, we're left with an ending that is as thought-provoking and tragic as Arthur himself.
FAQs
How does Joker 2 end?
Arthur renounces his Joker persona, declaring that "there is no Joker." Arthur Fleck is not the "real Joker."
What happens at the end of the Joker movie?
A young inmate stabs Arthur and kills him in the final scene of the movie. The inmate then carves a smile into his own face.
Is Arthur Fleck the real Joker?
Arthur is the inspiration for whoever becomes the "real" Joker.
Who was Murray Franklin?
Murray Franklin was the late-night talk show host played by Robert De Niro in the first movie, whose shocking on-air encounter with Arthur Fleck solidified Arthur's transition into the Joker persona.
What about Bruce Wayne/Batman?
Arthur's decision to abandon the Joker persona and his isolation at the end of the film indirectly highlights the impact that the Joker persona had on Gotham City and characters such as Bruce Wayne. The young Bruce Wayne, whose tragic loss of his parents was partly influenced by the unrest sparked by Arthur, may eventually grow into the vigilante we know as Batman, whose presence looms over Gotham like in The Dark Knight Rises. Meanwhile, the movie’s portrayal of conditional love and fleeting loyalty is reminiscent of Harvey Dent’s own fall from grace in The Dark Knight, emphasizing how easily Gotham's people turn on their icons when things do not go their way.