Joker: Folie à Deux

Joker: Folie à Deux is a 2024 American musical psychological thriller film in which Arthur Fleck is institutionalized at Arkham, awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. It is the sequel to 2019 film, Joker.

Directed by Todd Phillips. Written by Scott Silver and Todd Phillips.

The world is a stage

Arthur Fleck/Joker

• [Sitting before courtroom jury] I wanted to come out here as Joker. I was gonna go on an... a angry rant. And blame all of you, and everyone, for this fucking miserable life. But it wouldn't matter anymore, because I can't do this anymore. 'Cause I can't be who you want me to be. It was all just a fantasy. There is no Joker. It's just me. I killed people. I wish I didn't but I did. Nobody knows, but I also killed my mother. Put a pillow over her face and smothered her to death. I just wanna... I just wanna blow it all up, and start a new life. [Harleen gets up and walks out with several spectators following]
• [Singing to Harleen in a fantasy musical theatre production, kneeling on stage clutching abdomen] When... when I build that mountain, as I will someday, and the Lord sends Gabriel to take me away, I want a fine son to take my place, [scene cuts to prison hallway with his attacker watching while laughing] I'll leave a son in my heaven on Earth. With the good Lord's... [Arthur falls against wall] ...grace.

Harleen Quinzel

• [Singing] Sing Hallelujah, come on, be happy.

Judge Herman Rothwax

• [To courtroom spectators] I realize there's a lot going on. But this is still a court if law. And and all outbursts will not be tolerated. And that applies to everyone in the courtroom.
• [To Joker bringing up and sitting on a stool chair before the jury] A word of caution. This is not a comedy club.

Maryanne Stewart

• [Walks up to Arthur in police station on a rainy day] Jesus Christ, you couldn't get him an umbrella? [Pulls down Arthur to bench] Here, Arthur. [Licks thumb and dabs his face] Today we're meeting with Dr. Beatty. Remember her? She's gonna be videotaping you this time, so we can show it at your competency hearing next week. And if they find you competent, and they will, they always do, then we're going to trial. You need to be in an actual hospital with actual doctors. Not this Department of Corrections bullshit with these thugs. [Motions head to laughing officers down hallway] Dr. Beatty thinks that everything that happened to you in your childhood, it caused a split, this fragmentation in you, to help you cope with the pain. She believes you have another person living inside of you. And it was this other person who committed those crimes. Do you understand what that means, Arthur?

Dr. Beatty

• Maybe you don't remember some things? Or you're confused about what you did? I'm here to help you try and sort out what happened. [Sits at table] Arthur, I'm not here only to help with your defense. I'm here for you. But for me to do my job, I need you to be candid with me. Does that make sense? [Arthur requests a cigarette] Of course you can. [Slides pack to him] Let's start with the first incident. The three men who accosted you on the subway, who bullied you, did it feel like they triggered something painful? From your past? Your childhood? DO you remember any of what happened? Did you black out? See bright lights? [Arthur is unresponsive] Okay.

Dialogue

Arthur Fleck/Joker and Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn: [Both singing] Get ready for the judgement day.

---

Judge Herman Rothwax: Mr. Dent. You may call your next witness.

Mr. Dent: The state calls Gary Puddles. Bailiff, will you please Gary Puddles to the stand?

Arthur Fleck: [To Gary walking ahead to stand] Gary. Go get 'em.

Bailiff: [Hands out bible and Gary places hand on it] Raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you're about to give is the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Gary Puddles: I do.

Mr. Dent: Good morning, Mr. Puddles. Thank you for being here. The person who you saw stab Randall Kleinmanhoffer to death, are they in the courtroom today?

Gary Puddles: Yes.

Mr. Dent: Can you point him out here to all of us? And... describe his clothing?

Gary Puddles: [Points to Arthur Fleck] He's sitting right here at this table. Wearing a red suit and clown make-up.

Mr. Dent: May the record reflect the identification of the accused Your Honor?

Gary Puddles: Yes, it will.

Mr. Dent: Nothing further, Your Honor.

Judge Herman Rothwax: Your witness, Mr. Fleck.

Arthur Fleck: Mr. Puddles. [Gets up and starts walking] Gary Puddles? Tell me, sir, is that your God-given name?

Gary Puddles: Yes.

Arthur Fleck: Really? Really? Your last name is Puddles? [Chortles] Why, it sounds like a... a joke!

Gary Puddles: Well, it's not.

Arthur Fleck: You expect us to believe that your last name is Puddles? Puddles?!

Judge Herman Rothwax: Mr. Fleck. Where is this going? As I said, I'm not going to let you turn my courtroom into a circus.

Arthur Fleck: Okay. But with all due respect, Your Honor, don't you think it's a little late for that?

Judge Herman Rothwax: Don't try my patience.

Arthur Fleck: Okay, okay. Mr. Puddles, earlier this afternoon you testified that you saw me stab Mr. Kliman Manhoff in the neck a couple of times, correct?

Gary Puddles: Kleimanhoffer. Yes, I saw you.

Arthur Fleck: And what else did you see that day?

Gary Puddles: You stabbing him in the eye, and bashing his head into the wall, many, many times.

Arthur Fleck: Yes, but Randall was a bit of a bully, wasn't he?

Gary Puddles: He didn't deserve to die.

Arthur Fleck: I don't know. Never mind. Gary, did you catch my act on the Murray Franklin Show later that night?

Gary Puddles: No, I didn't.

Arthur Fleck: No? May I remind you that you are under oath?

Gary Puddles: I was locked up at the police station. In an interview room. 'Cause they thought you might come and kill me. I was the only witness. They kept me there all night.

Arthur Fleck: [Pinches and pulls out jacket] Isn't that convenient, Mr. Puddles? That you didn't see the show, you didn't see anything I had to say, I can't believe it!

Judge Herman Rothwax: Mr. Fleck.

Arthur Fleck: Okay. When you were in my mama's apartment, God rest her soul, when as you say you saw me bash Mr. Klannonmen- whatever's- head into the wall, many, many times, did I seem crazy to you? Did I seem like a different person? Or was I the same old Joker that I always been? [Walks up to Gary and rest arms on witness box]

Gary Puddles: Arthur, don't do this to your self, it isn't you.

Arthur Fleck: It isn't me? So you don't think this is me? Well, maybe... maybe... you don't know who I was really was.

Gary Puddles: I never saw that side of you.

Arthur Fleck: Well, maybe you weren't looking. Maybe no one was. [Turns around] Because nobody knew I existed! [Gestures to spectators] But look around, look at all these people! Everyone outside! These cameras! Who do you think they see, Mr. Puddles?!

Gary Puddles: Joker.

Arthur Fleck: [Turns to Gary and walks to him] Oh, sweet child, what you have proven here today, is that you are no different that any of those people that underestimated me. [Scene cuts to Arkham guard Jackie watching on TV] From Franklin Murray to those goddamn fat, stupid guards at Arkham. They think that they can treat me like trash. But I will no longer allow you, or you, or you, or any of you to keep me down. [Raises both fists in air] I am free! [Spectators applaud and cheer]

Gary Puddles: Why are you doing this to me, Arthur?

Arthur Fleck: What? Gary, I like you! I told you I wouldn't hurt and I didn't!

Gary Puddles: Not hurt me? I couldn't go back to work. I still can't sleep and I'm scared all the time. I never used to be scared. I'm scared right now, here. With you in front of me. I couldn't do anything that day. I felt so small. I was reminded how powerless I really am.

Arthur Fleck: You got a flair for the dramatic. You are really tugging at my heart strings, little Gary. No more questions, Your Honor.

Gary Puddles: Do you know what that feels like, Arthur?

Arthur Fleck: Fuck!

Judge Herman Rothwax: You were the only one at work who never made fun of me! You were the only one that was nice to me!

Arthur Fleck: I said, no more questions, Your Honor!

Judge Herman Rothwax: Very well, Mr. Puddles. The court thanks you for your testimony. Please step down, you're excused.

---

Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn: [Walks up to throng of reporters surrounding Maryanne in hallway] She's just a social worker. I don't think she's even qualified. You know, you're making him out to be a fucking idiot in there. [Walks up to Maryanne] He's never gonna get out if you keep this shit up. Ask her why she has me sitting so far away from him.

Maryanne Stewart: Let's not do this here. Please?

Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn: Do you see all those people out front? Who do you think they're here for? How many t-shirts do you think Arthur Fleck is on? How many signs? It's the Trial of the Century and she doesn't even know who her own client is.

Maryanne Stewart: What do you mean by that? Can't you see how sick he is? How much help he needs? [Attempts to walk past]

Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn: [Grabs Maryanne] He's not sick! He's perfect!

Maryanne Stewart: You don't really think he's gonna just walk out of here, do you? [Walks away]

Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn: Yeah, he's gonna walk right out of here. With me by his side!

Reporter: And then what?

Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn: And then we're gonna build a mountain.

Reporter: A what?

Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn: From a little hill. [Walks away]

Reporters: What does that even mean? Are you going to get married?

---

Arthur Fleck/Joker: [Being manhandled by prison guard with Jackie preparing to wash off makeup] All right, all right, I get it Jackie. You wanna hear a joke, right?

Jackie: You really think... fancy red suit and muck on your face makes you better than us? You have no fucking idea, what it takes to put a little joy into this fucking place.

Arthur Fleck/Joker: Let me tell you one I used to do about my mother

Jackie: You can drop the act now.

Arthur Fleck/Joker: My mother was...

Jackie: Because we know...

Arthur Fleck/Joker: ...a really fucked up person.

Jackie: ...it's only Arthur in there, okay? Was she really?

Arthur Fleck/Joker: And she only date abusive guys.

Jackie: Yeah, is that right?

Arthur Fleck/Joker: And, I asked her, I said; "Mom, why do you stay with you abusive boyfriend?" And she said; [in high pitched voice] "beats the hell out of me." [Laughs hysterically]

Jackie: I told you to drop it!

---

Joker fan 1: [Meets Arthur in rubble of courtroom in the aftermath of a car bomb] It's you. Come on man. We gotta get you the fuck outta here. [They start running ahead] Come on. I'll get somebody! [To cohort] I got the fucking Joker! Can you get us outta here?

Joker fan 2: Yeah, get him in.

Joker fan 1: [To Arthur in vehicle backseat] Holy shit, it's really him!

Joker fan 2: Where's he wanna go?!

Joker fan 1: Drive! Just fucking go! Got what they deserve.

Joker fan 2: Where does he wanna go? Where should we go?

Joker fan 1: Just get us the fuck outta here, man! [To Arthur] Hey, get down! Stay down! Get down, man. Can you go any fucking faster, man?! Come on.

Joker fan 2: I'm trying, fuck! There's cops everywhere! You did it man! You fucking did it! You said you wanted to blow it up!

Joker fan 1: And somebody blew it the fuck up! This is fucking crazy! [Does both middle fingers to passing firetruck in a tunnel] Fuck you!

---

Inmate: [In hallway] Hey. Arthur. Hold up. [Walks up to Arthur] Can I tell you a joke I came up with?

Arthur Fleck: [Looks behind back then at inmate] Is it quick?

Inmate: Yeah, I can make it quick.

Arthur: Okay.

Inmate: So, an psychopath walks into a bar, and sees this famous clown sitting there all alone. Totally drunk, it's pathetic. "I can't believe you're here", he says. "What a disappointment, I used to watch [points at Arthur] YOU on TV. What can I get you?" And this clown turns and says; "well, if you're buying, you can get me anything." [Arthur smirks] "Perfect", the psychopath says. " How about I get you what you fucking deserve?" [Proceeds to repeatedly stab Arthur in the abdomen against a wall, then walks aside to watch Arthur die]

Cast

• Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck/Joker
• Stephanie "Lady Gaga" Germanotta as Lee Quinzel/
• Brendan Gleeson as Jackie Sullivan
• Catherine Keener as Maryanne Stewart
• Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond
• Steve Coogan as Paddy Meyers
• Harry Lawtey as Harvey Dent
• Leigh Gill as Gary Puddles
• Ken Leung as Dr. Victor Liu
• Jacob Lofland as Ricky Meline
• Bill Smitrovich as Judge Herman Rothwax
• Sharon Washington as Debra Kane
• Alfred Rubin Thompson as Ernie Bullock

External links

• Encyclopedic article on Joker: Folie à Deux on Wikipedia
• Joker: Folie à Deux quotes at the Internet Movie Database
• Joker: Folie à Deux at Rotten Tomatoes