Going Gaga in Gotham: Lady Gaga debuts as Harley Quinn in Joker sequel.

The Joker is back, and he's not alone. In Joker: Folie à Deux, Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Arthur Fleck takes a new turn as he meets Harley Quinn, played by the mega-talented Lady Gaga. This highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Joker catches up with a troubled Arthur, now a patient at Arkham Asylum. His grim reality takes a dramatic turn when he finds a kindred spirit in Harley, a fellow patient who is equally eccentric and dangerous.

Joker was never intended to have a sequel. Director Todd Phillips made this clear in 2019, stating that the original was designed as a standalone story. However, the film's overwhelming success—becoming the first R-rated movie to gross over $1 billion and winning two Academy Awards—opened the door for a follow-up. The concept for Joker: Folie à Deux began to take shape, focusing on the unique connection between the Joker and Harley Quinn.

Lady Gaga's portrayal of Harley Quinn aligns perfectly with Phoenix's Joker. In this iteration, Harley is a fellow patient at Arkham Asylum who becomes fascinated with Arthur's story, ultimately leading to a destructive and dangerous partnership. The term "Folie à Deux" aptly describes their dynamic—a shared madness that spills out from the confines of the asylum into the streets of Gotham. From the first teaser trailer the chemistry between Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix already appears to be electric, with their connection both unsettling and captivating.

The inclusion of Lady Gaga is a clear signal that Joker: Folie à Deux is aiming for a more ambitious take with the addition of a musical element to the film's narrative, hinting at a darker, more theatrical interpretation of Arthur and Harley's chaotic relationship.

With the critical acclaim of the first film coupled with Gaga's reputation as an incredibly talented artist, with an Oscar win for "Shallow" from the film A Star is Born and multiple Grammy Awards, the expectations for the sequel are immediately elevated, positioning the film as a strong contender for the 2025 awards season.

Whilst Joker: Folie à Deux is expected to continue the gritty, realistic tone that defined its predecessor. The addition of Lady Gaga to the sequel raises the stakes, promising an even deeper and darker exploration of Gotham's underbelly. This heightened narrative complexity, combined with its star-studded cast makes Joker: Folie à Deux one of the most anticipated films of this year.

Don’t miss Lady Gaga’s performance in Joker: Folie à Deux when hits cinemas on October 3.