Beyond Joker: Folie à Deux: 10 Movies to Watch if You Loved the Original!
Why Joker: Folie à Deux Wasn't What Fans Wanted (and What to Watch Instead!)
Let's be real: Joker: Folie à Deux was a massive letdown for many fans of the first movie. It completely flopped, becoming even more of a box office bomb than those infamous superhero movie disasters like Morbius and Madame Web! This is a seriously important point because it demonstrates how little these expectations could ever be matched.
This article offers some better choices for viewers: Those interested in watching something closer to the original Joker will have some interesting choices here; exploring better options compared to Joker: Folie à Deux. It focuses on those shared themes and narrative elements, leaving those other problematic plot and character decisions to other media; creating those opportunities to explore a vastly more nuanced approach toward exploring certain pSychological aspects. It examines themes of mental illness, alienation, and social issues presented far more successfully elsewhere – exploring the creative influences and better alternatives, those films that manage to deliver those core elements presented much more satisfyingly. This list shows you where to look!
10 Must-See Movies for Fans of Joker
10. Falling Down (1993): A Visceral Descent into Chaos
If Joker's Arthur Fleck had been far more ruthless; lacking any theatricality; you'd have William Foster (from Falling Down). This is insane and terrifying. He’s a seemingly normal guy whose day goes south incredibly quickly, and unleashes this disturbing and horrific rage in shocking ways; presenting a deeply troubling depiction of social commentary and the depths of pSychological harm which creates a realistic, relatable and surprisingly chilling take. Falling Down's bleak depiction is quite similar to the tone found in Joker, examining the relatability behind anger and frustration which triggers extremely violent responses, and which ultimately causes havoc for those individuals surrounding this increasingly volatile personality.
9. The Dark Knight (2008): The Benchmark Joker Performance
Joker presented Joaquin Phoenix's incredibly successful take on this infamous villain. However, no one really tops Heath Ledger's legendary portrayal in The Dark Knight. This film shows Christian Bale's Batman facing a seriously disturbing Joker. And you simply need to watch The Dark Knight after Joker simply for that unforgettable Heath Ledger performance – an undeniably brilliant take on this role that really puts all others in perspective. This one’s amazing for everyone and highly recommended regardless.
8. Taxi Driver (1976): The Blueprint for Arthur Fleck
Martin Scorsese's influence is obvious. Taxi Driver is an early masterpiece, with that iconic character arc, showing that descent and fall that Arthur Fleck also endured. Travis Bickle, the Vietnam veteran cabbie seeking vengeance is the essential template and it can't be denied, considering this key inspiration that impacted Joker’s direction entirely.
Taxi Driver presents an even more disturbing character study compared to Joker. It creates a more complicated and ruthless take on that disturbed character who is presented with very little attempt at emphasizing how he's relatable; yet this lack of emphasis makes him incredibly disturbing and memorable. The originality shines, showcasing the inherent differences; and yet some obvious connections that made many people see just how closely Joker really follows Taxi Driver's lead in many important areas.
7. The King of Comedy (1982): Obsession, Fandom, and a Dark Descent
This one is another Scorsese classic that heavily influenced Joker. It explores Rupert Pupkin's (played by Robert De Niro) disturbing obsession with his idol, mirroring Arthur Fleck's stage presence and that longing for the spotlight. This aspect is often not understood – how much that drive, combined with feelings of inadequacy triggers severe and dangerous obsession.
It has that same dark humor and social commentary of the original film; showing another bleak take on obsession in American media; highlighting another thematic connection for those viewers searching for another cinematic expression that demonstrates similar sentiments presented through entirely unique experiences; showing how original and well-considered the story’s key design aspects truly were.
6. Nightcrawler (2014): The Ruthless Pursuit of Success
This incredibly successful and memorable movie also shares those thematic and stylistic aspects that helped make Joker so successful! Jake Gyllenhaal’s Lou Bloom— this is pure grit. Lou’s total lack of morality creates an intensely chilling depiction. He focuses solely on achieving his goals; regardless of others' feelings, completely disregarding consequences and his ambition becomes deeply disturbing!
Nightcrawler’s visual style mimics Joker's dark and gritty aesthetic. However, it makes a massive change and contrast which demonstrates how intensely different characters could behave: Lou's unrelenting pursuit contrasts greatly to Arthur Fleck’s breakdown; showing these drastically differing reactions to immense stress which results in equally terrifying ends. Nightcrawler takes this cynicism much further; highlighting the ruthlessness of this determined character!
5. Fight Club (1999): Rebellion, Alienation, and the Destruction of Societal Norms
If you loved Joker's exploration of trauma, alienation and rebellion–this is a great movie! It’s an amazing exploration of similar themes. The story is narrated by an unreliable character, very reminiscent of Arthur Fleck, and its rebellious spirit showcases the similar lack of support and alienation portrayed initially, building on this tension by destroying traditional structures; yet demonstrating those incredibly powerful responses to those failures which cause so much lasting turmoil in so many ways!
4. One Hour Photo (2002): A Creeping Obsession and Crushing Isolation
One Hour Photo focuses on another intense, incredibly dangerous and almost disturbing level of obsession; an obsession without needing overt displays of violence! Robin Williams' Sy develops this disturbing infatuation with his “ideal family” customers which adds incredible emotional complexity which mirrors Arthur Fleck's fantasies about Sophie! However it creates this vastly greater impact, highlighting the creeping danger involved with a disturbed yet seemingly charming individual; showing just how truly original Joker's take truly is!
3. American Psycho (2000): Superficiality, Violence, and a Disturbing Persona
American Psycho shares the same cynicism and dark commentary, mirroring Joker's aesthetic. It also plays with unreliable narration; examining what those similar perceptions might become; building toward those same thematic core moments! Yet it does create these differences between characters’ internal perceptions that creates different realities from similar core sentiments; showing the many different possibilities in these extremely disturbed people.
2. A Clockwork Orange (1971): A Study in Systemic Control and the Transformation of an Individual
Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece takes the exact opposite approach as Joker! Instead of a world driving a person toward a psychological breakdown and into committing terrible crimes – it creates the story about that same violent psychopath forced by that extremely dystopian society into becoming a productive member! This change; this counterpoint adds immense thought to the issues brought in Joker. That counter-perspective expands greatly on themes in Joker’s depiction.
1. He Loves Me... He Loves Me Not (2007): A Disturbing Romance Thriller
(Original French Title: À la folie… pas du tout). This movie’s brilliant, exploring those unreliable narratives found initially in Joker. The premise involves a disturbed art student falling deeply in love (the dangerously obsessed kind) with a married doctor.
It shows that unreliable narration's impact: presenting identical events but through distinct perspectives. Its thriller elements also explore those complex emotional and psychological situations which really add further nuance to themes and narrative points shown and initially portrayed by Joker; delivering an even stronger response through those similarly complex and engaging scenarios shown from entirely different perspectives.
Conclusion: Beyond the Hype: Discovering Similar Cinematic Experiences
Joker: Folie à Deux was underwhelming and surprisingly bad, failing to generate much needed audience reaction, and leaving a great deal to be desired. Luckily there’s plenty out there to fill that cinematic void! Those viewers wanting stories exploring themes found in the original Joker will discover various cinematic interpretations exploring these issues effectively! This list of cinematic expressions are all strong entries, examining how a range of similar issues, including social alienation, mental illness and more through deeply original and unique approaches to these very specific thematic moments! This will surely enhance anyone’s cinematic experience.
