Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix discuss the chaotic and emotional music that brings Arthur Fleck to life in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’

IN Joker: Folie à Deux, the sequel to the 2019 Oscar-winning film, the music within Arthur Fleck takes center stage, revealing more of his complex and fractured psyche. Writer, director, and producer Todd Phillips knew that music would play a vital role in the film’s evolution.

“There’s a romance to Arthur in the first film, like when he dances in the bathroom,” Phillips reflects. “Arthur has music in him. That was a logical leaping-off point for the sequel.”

Joaquin Phoenix, who reprises his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck/Joker, adds, “We started talking about music very early on.”

In this new chapter, Arthur finds himself institutionalized at Arkham Asylum, facing the consequences of his crimes as the Joker. Struggling to reconcile his two identities, Arthur not only discovers love but also unlocks the music that has been a part of him all along.

For Phoenix, performing live renditions of songs during filming brought a rawness to the experience. “We had to perform live and perform the songs in ways that maybe weren’t the most beautiful renditions of the song,” says Phoenix, laughing. “There was something very exciting about that.”

The film introduces Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, Arthur’s twisted love interest, marking her debut in the Joker franchise. For Gaga, the music within Arthur is a mirror of his chaotic and fractured soul.

“This music within him, it’s messy, chaotic,” says the Grammy winner. “It’s expressing the complexity of love and in a way brings Arthur to life.”

As Arthur stumbles through his journey of love and self-discovery, the music becomes an essential thread that ties the story together. The chaotic sounds reflect the Joker’s unhinged persona while highlighting the emotions that simmer beneath the surface.

Joker: Folie à Deux is set to offer a darker, more twisted exploration of Arthur Fleck’s transformation. With Phillips’ signature storytelling and Phoenix and Gaga’s captivating performances, this sequel promises to take audiences on an emotional rollercoaster filled with romance, chaos, and music.

Joker: Folie à Deux will be released in cinemas across the Philippines on October 2, 2024, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company. Don’t miss this explosive return to the world of Gotham’s most infamous villain. #JokerMovie #FolieADeux #ArthurFleck

(ROHN ROMULO)