Joker: Folie à Deux – Arthur Fleck’s Path to Madness

While Joaquin Phoenix once again delivered a haunting performance as Arthur Fleck, the decision to make this sequel a musical seemed distracting. However, Phoenix’s portrayal of the Joker remains deeply compelling. The character’s tragic backstory and the psychological unraveling of Arthur Fleck are the heart of the film. Arthur’s descent into madness isn’t just the result of individual struggles—it’s shaped by deep trauma, systemic neglect, and a profound sense of injustice. I will just state the obvious in this article but will argue against Fleck being a narcissist.