Joker: Folie à Deux is the sequel to the Joker movie in 2019 releasing on 4th October 2024. Folie à Deux means a mental disorder shared by people who are close to each other, what a fitting name for the movie about the duo Joker and Harley Quinn. It's important to understand a little bit of backstory for both of them to have an amazing experience watching the movie, don't worry this blog is spoiler-free. Although an introduction to these well-known characters is not required, for all the veterans it's a good list to jog your memory, and for all the new viewers it's time to train your brains to handle some craziness.
1. Batman (1989)
This is where it all really starts for Joker in live action movies, which is what makes this movie a must watch. This movie gives an amazing introduction to the character and really explains his origin story as in comics and depicts the relationship between Batman and Joker in its utmost raw form. Joker in this movie is pretty much the badass villain who might not be strong physically but is smart, this smart brain which is also psychotic makes him one of the most feared villains. there are also some minor appearances of other important characters in the DCEU like Commissioner Gorden, Harvey Dent, and Alfred.
This movie gives a real essence of who the Joker is, he is seen pulling out his famous laughing gas trick and some other pretty as well as petty tricks just to have a laugh. Joker's jokes only make sense to him while others just find it cruel and insane. Although this movie has one of the silliest of Joker's, it still is the perfect movie to start with to understand the tone of this character. With his crazy wit along with his perseverance to prove Batman wrong, he puts out a big show just to show everyone that he is no less mysterious than Batman, which makes one question if Batman is really in the right or is he just a single step away from becoming joker himself.
2. The Dark Knight (2008)
This movie has set the bar for the most nerve-racking acts of Joker, this movie has set a silhouette for Joker. This already makes this a must-watch, even if you are not the one to follow any of the DC movies, the Batman movies, or the Joker movies. It's a must-watch for its amazing cinematography, the astounding acting, and the immense detail the directors have invested in putting out music which brings a chill down the spine during those intense scenes. There is no origin story in this movie, it gets straight to the point and just blows your mind thinking what more is Joker even capable of?
This movie features some of the most famous lines of Joker, including "Why so serious" and "Let's put a smile on that face". This movie is not just some live adaptation of a comic, it makes you question what's right? and what's wrong?, is Batman the good guy?, Is Joker the villain? There are a couple of scenes where you are trying to decode Joker's brain, which will only leave you trapped in a maze of wonder. Joker's true intentions are made more clear in this movie which fits his overall character, him being psychotic, it is very clear that he doesn't have any motive for money or power, he just wants to push people, "the civilized people" (Watch the movie to get this reference) to their limits just for fun and to see how they react, which makes him one of the scariest villain of all time.
3. The Suicide Squad (2016)
This movie has one of the most disliked Joker probably because of his weird teeth and that hairstyle, but Joker is not the reason why this movie is on this list, it's because of Harley Quinn, who is the second protagonist in Joker: Folie à Deux, Harley Quinn for those of you who don't know is the lover/second in hand to Joker and she, as some might even say crazier than Joker. This movie explains the origin story of Harley in a sort of montage and it also depicts this love/hate relationship between Harley and Joker.
Harley in this movie uses her favorite weapon the wooden baseball bat which also might be featured in the new movie. Harley used to be the psychiatrist to Joker in the Arkham Asylum, as expected she clearly couldn't handle Joker's brain and she eventually fell for Joker and became his lover. In this movie Harley is the primary member of the suicide squad and she works with the team on a mission that could potentially kill her. Amidst all this Joker tries to intrude and their love for each other brings about complexities which is what makes this movie that much interesting.
4. Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)
This is just an animated movie which will not be able to depict Joker's true colors and eerie nature of his, cause who really takes a cartoon movie seriously is what I was thinking before I watched it, oh was I wrong, this movie has batgirl and batman fighting crime, until batman comes across Joker planning something sick again. As the setting goes batman has become tired of fighting him again and again, and is finally ready to change things. Hence this movie is a bit strange and its different from all the movies above where both of them are just going at each other. This one shows a completely different side of Joker and Batman.
Joker's grin, you know he is up to no good. "Batman: The Killing Joke (2016).", IMDb https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4853102/mediaindex/
This movie presents Joker's origin story but with a twist, Joker as he explains his baffling backstory he says "I have a past, but I don't seem to remember it properly, every time I keep remembering different details", even though it's just a single line it makes the whole picture more clear. To add to that Batman in this movie also confesses that he doesn't know who Joker is even after countless encounters, which is what makes Joker more interesting. Joker in this movie pushes his luck to the maximum, again just to test what Batman does and have a little bit of "fun" seeing how people react to the vilest thing he can put forth.
5. Joker (2019)
This movie is the prequel to Joker: Folie à Deux, it's one hell of a mentally straining movie, Joker is the protagonist and the antagonist, his acting is flawless and the movie takes a deep dive into his mind, they show what Joker has been through in his life to have become the way he has turned out to be. This movie makes the viewers feel that although he might be doing all the wrong things, when you think of the reason you start to wonder whether he is in the right.
People always say to protect the weak, when you realize that society and life aren't always fair to everyone, that's when the weak become strong and that's what this movie preaches. Joker stops believing that he can make the world a happy place, he joins the evil as he feels like he can't fight evil anymore. The psychotic human that he is, he not only feels good about being at the center of chaos but also thinks it's funny by disclosing the truth that it gives him a sense of freedom and satisfaction. He presents as someone who has nothing to lose which is where you realize that he has crossed the last line of hope. It's an amazing movie overall with great acting and it is something that has to be watched before watching the new movie.
Alright, there is the list of everything to watch before the new movie releases, hope you guys have enjoyed the read, if you did make sure to spread the word about this blog to others interested as well, cause I am only going to be bringing you guys more of what you guys just read, hopefully I have at least motivated you to give one of these movies mentioned a watch. Well, I only wish to improve your experience in entertainment.