Be advised: This article reveals significant plot details for Joker: Folie a Deux.
Joaquin Phoenix has commented on the divisive conclusion of Joker: Folie a Deux.
This follow-up to the 2019 Joker film became available worldwide earlier this month.
Despite initial anticipation, the musical thriller has faced criticism from both critics and audiences.
There have even been reports of widespread exits from cinema screenings due to dissatisfaction.
Phoenix returns as Arthur Fleck/Joker, who is on trial for his earlier series of murders.
During the ensuing media frenzy, he encounters Lee Quinzel, also known as Harley Quinn, portrayed by Lady Gaga.
By the film’s conclusion, Fleck has abandoned his Joker persona and is back in prison.
The final scene shows him heading to meet a visitor when another inmate, played by Connor Storrie, requests Fleck to share a joke.
Subsequently, the inmate repeatedly stabs Fleck in the stomach with a makeshift knife.
The prisoner then mimics the Joker by carving a smile into his own face as Fleck bleeds out.
Both Phoenix and director Todd Phillips have now shared their thoughts on the ending.
Phoenix mentioned to IGN: “There’s a warmth in that scene, which is nice. That’s all that I was thinking about that I was after, is here’s this young man who’s telling me a joke, and he’s nervous to tell me the joke, I can tell that he’s nervous, and I’m going to hear him out. And it’s a pretty good setup.”
Phillips remarked that Phoenix appeared ‘so beautiful’ in the scene. He elaborated: “I think Arthur has found peace with the idea, with the struggle that it’s okay to be yourself. And that’s really what he’s always struggled with, you know what I mean?”
“I like to think he died at peace in a way being himself. The kid says to him, ‘You want to hear a joke?’ And even though he thinks maybe it’s (Lee) downstairs. We don’t even know what’s downstairs, but that sort of optimism that Arthur has, that’s still in him.
“He’s like, ‘Well, yeah, okay, of course’, because he knows that feeling of wanting to make somebody laugh. So he gives the kid that moment, right?”
He notes that ‘it goes bad’ because ‘everything goes for Fleck’, adding: “But I always think that’s such a beautiful moment where it’s like Arthur still has hope. I think Joaquin is so beautiful in that scene. It’s such a small nothing. I mean, beyond the death thing.
“That moment where he’s looking at the kid and he’s kind of giving the kid a polite laugh in the setup. He’s showing appreciation for the comedy and appreciation for putting yourself out there. You know what I mean? Something nobody ever did for him in the first movie in some ways.”