Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga will captivate audiences in the new trailer for “Joker: Folie à Deux.” Released on Tuesday, the trailer offers a glimpse into the highly anticipated sequel to the Academy Award-winning “Joker,” directed by Todd Phillips. In this installment, Phoenix’s character, Arthur Fleck, finds himself portrayed as a martyr amid what many describe as the “trial of the century.”
The trailer showcases Fleck navigating his newfound fame alongside Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn, who expresses that for the first time, she no longer feels alone. “You can do anything you want. You’re Joker,” she tells him, highlighting their deepening connection. Fleck also appears in a courtroom scene, defiantly declaring, “I will no longer allow any of you to keep me down!”
In “Joker: Folie à Deux,” Arthur Fleck faces institutionalization at Arkham Asylum while awaiting trial for his crimes as the Joker. Within these walls, he discovers true love and the music that has always been within him. The film’s title, “Folie à Deux,” refers to a shared mental disorder affecting two or more individuals, often seen in close relationships.
Todd Phillips initially teased the film with an Instagram post featuring Phoenix in character back in December 2022, followed by a first look at Gaga’s portrayal on Valentine’s Day 2023. The first trailer debuted in April.
Alongside Phoenix and Gaga, the film features a talented cast that includes Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, and Zazie Beetz, who reprises her role from the original film. Phillips co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Silver and serves as a producer, with Lady Gaga contributing as a music consultant.
Premiere and Expectations
“Joker: Folie à Deux” will premiere at the Venice Film Festival before its theatrical release on October 4, 2024. The film is expected to build on the success of its predecessor, which earned 11 Academy Award nominations and became the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time.