Joker: Folie à Deux Ending Explained - A Shocking Twist and the Birth of a New Joker

The release of Joker: Folie à Deux (released in 2024), took fans of the first film by surprise! With some major, shocking plot twists and plot changes. No one was expecting what happened.

It is so much more than just another comic book adaptation as it brings audiences a remarkable, twisted psychological thriller as we watch Arthur Fleck. As he really grapples with a complicated story! If you think you have a feel for how this all ends, then think again. What made this so remarkable was that the film took a crazy turn, as we learn just how important the Joker is. And for everyone, there is a twist, an outcome, a series of events that are almost unbelievable.

Joker: Folie à Deux And The Ending

One of the best parts of this sequel, that makes this film stand out? Well, for those that haven’t seen the first Joker (from 2019) we will take you through some of those details but it does give an insight into how twisted this character's world truly is.

This movie gives an emotional view, showing Arthur Fleck as he navigates through life, and all the craziness that he's about to get into. His origin is an important part.
This includes his rise from a common man, going on to inspire chaos as he becomes the Joker, but he is given an ending.
His journey to becoming one of the biggest icons of the criminal underworld is explored in an unexpected and thrilling way.
He gets an exit. A special end where he truly dies.
A new Joker even takes his place, showing that this is a cycle and one that's sure to give audiences all kinds of creepy goosebumps.

Joker: Folie à Deux had everyone wondering about Batman and the "Batman vs. Joker" battle would ever be able to show up as the franchise moves forward.

It looks like those DC Comics stories aren't in this series as yet.

Also Read: Joker: Folie à Deux - Batman, Harley Quinn, and the Twisted Relationship

What is the Real Ending

Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck in Todd Phillips' DC movies and the Joker in DC Comics Image

What happened during Arthur Fleck's trial? His time as a real-life Joker really becomes the heart of the story.

It all plays into what makes Arthur so remarkable.

This Joker, is one who's very popular among fans!
As Arthur has his trial. He chooses to play up his character, using this "insanity" plea in court!

It seemed this gave Arthur Fleck an escape, or so it felt, but then something truly shocking occurred! He gets off of the platform. It seems Arthur decided to walk away, abandoning his "Joker" persona and makes a startling confession in court that was a super emotional, unexpected moment and something that fans will really appreciate in the series!

The very character who tries to escape the consequences of his actions!

The moment comes, he gives it all up. All he did, and confesses he really did kill the person who really brought him into the public eye- Murray Franklin. The fate for the "Joker"? Well, in that same shocking twist of fate. He becomes one of his biggest victims! And you won't believe who did this?

In what may appear as Arthur being ok. After he fails to escape from the infamous "Arkham State Prison". What fans saw is Arthur is a bit more relaxed, hanging out in the facility and watching cartoons! The show highlights Arthur Fleck trying his best to come to terms with everything.

But wait. One of the guards wants a moment with Arthur but the true climax for this movie comes when a patient called "The Young Inmate". This person stops Arthur in a moment, gives a twisted joke, a joke reminiscent of what Arthur said, before Arthur was in trouble! It then results in this inmate stabbing Arthur Fleck! That scene is one of the most chilling as he laughs like a madman over this heinous crime. What made the show more terrifying was the same ending fate for Arthur as his first big kill, Murray Franklin.

This moment made the entire movie, which could have gone a different way with Arthur Fleck escaping to be reunited with "Harley Quinn", took a super shocking turn. It was very strange and unsettling! If that was a shock in the series! Then just what it meant. As a whole was a masterclass in "unpacking" how we all experience, and then create these iconic villains and heroes and their origins!

Also Read: Joker: Folie à Deux - The Moment Arthur Fleck Kissed Ricky & What it Means

A New Joker is Born:

Arthur Fleck in Arkham Asylum in Joker Folie à Deux Image

Joker (2019) seemed to provide an answer for Arthur Fleck and his background but, what made Joker: Folie à Deux so powerful is it demolishes any notion that there's a true back story or a real answer. There's no singular history for a new "Joker." There's no single true villain.

It is a story where this icon takes on a different approach for those who want to follow the criminal activities!

A crazy element! We even get to see another interesting, shocking scene! We get a Glasgow Smile. Similar to "Heath Ledger"! However, in the film Joker (2019) there's a distinction in the history for both. One of them does make it to "Gotham" so the history and time periods can be quite a difference, but both add their own uniqueness to the series.

Also Read: Joker: Folie à Deux: The Shocking Truth About Arthur Fleck's Father?

What is the True Motivation?

Fans who have enjoyed these movies want to get a peek inside the characters heads! That is where Harley Quinn, (played by the talented Lady Gaga) gets to do something so cool as she gives her heart to this movie and she really knows what makes "Joker" so compelling! She figures it out!

This new Joker really is not about Arthur, it is about what this individual represents to her and those who see a special quality in these stories!

You will find out just what that special character truly does! It is going to bring all those who love "Gotham" to life!

Harley Quinn, seeing all those crazy details she leaves Arthur to the powers that be.
In an intense, almost heart wrenching attempt to reunite with Harley Quinn, Arthur even ditches all those who are his followers.
She really knows her worth and goes back to Gotham without her madman. She leaves knowing that Arthur would be going back to Arkham Prison or even facing his demise.

What really gets the point across! The bomb that destroys the courtroom!

That’s an awesome escape plot!

The movie really takes viewers to some wild events as those who supported the Joker gave Arthur his farewell.
The followers did so in the hopes of allowing their idol to go on with his madness, but those who adored Arthur? Those were just waiting for the right moment!

It truly was an interesting conclusion! That is so chilling. For the viewer as "The Joker" never went away.

Also Read: Joker: Folie à Deux - Will It Be a Hit or a Miss?

A Legacy That Lasts:

Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck in Joker Folie A Deux Image

Arthur Fleck made an attempt! As he looked to leave his mark. The tragic part was that he only really made a legacy for another "Joker." The inmate is looking up to the villain but is annoyed! He views the real Joker as a roadblock, even seeing Arthur as a means to the end.

This inmate knew he had the chance to step up. What did "The Joker" become, or did the "Joker" really ever exist at all. The big question! Was it all in Arthur Fleck's head, a power that others tried to give him and make their reality?

Fans who had a hard time separating these characters.

What makes it more interesting? As he was taking on this title. It was the power of others that pushed this madman into that spot, giving audiences something they can't seem to shake.

Director Todd Phillips' Comments:

Arthur Fleck gets his beard shaved in Joker: Folie a Deux and Arthur smiles in Todd Phillips' Joker Image

The man who has given audiences two versions of the Joker really went above and beyond! To bring the character back for another film, and when the ending came! There was a great deal of insight for everyone watching Joker: Folie à Deux.

As we've already touched upon, a very shocking and emotional climax.

Todd Phillips said, he had his reason for this event, bringing out those themes.
Arthur decided that he wanted a world where everything was "corrupt." It needed to be rebuilt. He gave this mission a real perspective! He saw himself as the solution to all that ailed humanity. Arthur, and everyone else.
Arthur Fleck embraced his role as The Joker but over time he just didn't like who he was anymore.

You will see that the Movie had some serious thought, bringing these crazy, unique characters to life!

It makes this new "Joker" movie more intriguing because Todd Phillips truly captured just how he was able to show how Arthur was no longer living a lie! That what the "Joker" persona brought about was not something he ever wanted!

The man behind these Movies did an exceptional job and gave us this remarkable ending to this new epic Movie! It even took on another aspect.

Those who were cheering for Arthur. They might find themselves disappointed because of how it turned out!

Harley Quinn saw what a sad existence Arthur had.

"Nobody" is truly how she saw the "Joker." In the film! It also highlights a special moment, on the very same steps, Arthur danced during a very important scene in the first "Joker" movie and gives us another big lesson to be taken away.

There is a sadness that permeates "Gotham", and even those who are so iconic can become a "nobody" with time. The ending of the show even took the time to say that what we are watching as a wild fantasy really did occur, and is Arthur Fleck's legacy that everyone is forced to process! This really highlights the message behind "Joker: Folie à Deux."

There are tons of unanswered questions but, it gives everyone an amazing moment to question what makes villains so captivating. Why do audiences embrace a hero or a villain so wholeheartedly? It really shows just what these Movies can bring to the table with some crazy surprises!