Movie
Joker Folie au Deux: The tears of a clown
Spoilers hidden in clown makeup!
Called “The Madness of two”, the love story of Joker and Lee, is set against the backdrop of the murder trial of Arthur Fleck, imprisoned in Arkham, in 1980’s Gotham City.
It’s almost impossible to believe that the film’s director and writers would do this to a character they professed to come to love by the end of the first, admittedly divisive, Joker film. But it happened, and it’s up there for us the audience to be, let’s be real here, tortured with. You’ve been warned.
They turned Arthur Fleck, the downtrodden character who took back his own power at the end of the first film, back into what he began this whole journey as – a victim. Even his Joker persona won’t save him from being objectified at his trial, for his lawyer keeps insisting he’s sick in the head and this “Joker” is the result, and the legion of fans out there clamoring for more are more aimless fan-atics and less revolutionaries. Though one person, a shiny little tarnished pearl set among the crazies at Arkham, stands out for Arthur in a very strong way.
The single bright spot in the whole film, ‘cuz it sure is not the skeleton-thin Joaquin Phoenix trudging about Arkham like a cowed scarecrow, is inevitably Lady Gaga as the reimagined Harley Quinn, or Lee, as she introduces herself to Arthur. They meet, inevitably enough, at music class. And suddenly, Arthur’s heart finds song again! Lee loves Arthur, or rather Joker, with an intensity that actually shocks him awake for a short while. And we see small, short flashes of our beloved madman in his iconic makeup, as he madly pirouettes his way through representing himself at his own trial, defiant in his sharp-angled clown look, his voice flitting effortlessly between entertaining characters, accompanied by musical numbers straight from Jokers cerebral cortex, fully imagined and surreal, joyous and loud, impossible to deny or ignore. Which, remember from the first film, was the whole point folks. Gaga carries in every single musical number, and there is always a just barely-there sense of her singing being just the tiniest bit off, like you know that note and that note was wrong, but she did that on purpose to demonstrate Lee’s own version of reciprocating madness. It’s genius ya’ll, but rather than being any kind of uplifting, the duets especially that Lee does with Joker are a musical dive further into madness. Lee wants Arthur to split and for Joker to explode and entertain and be alive, and nothing will stand in her way. Even enduring an, I kid you not so be prepared for it, totally awkward sex scene.
It turns out, the villain of the film is actually Lee herself. Her carefully crafted fan-cast ways are quite believable, a testament to Mother Monsters excellent acting abilities, but in fact it’s all wrong. In what is arguably DC’s most legendary abusive relationship, Joker is the villain and Harley Quinn is his, however willing, victim. Definitely not the other way around, which is what is presented here in Folie au Deux. And while I applaud a Harley Quinn offered to us as a calculating femme fatale finally, this reduces our formerly powerful Joker to a shell of even Arthur Fleck. This is not what we, the audience, are here for.
The amount of abuse Arthur suffers throughout the film is appalling, and made more so because there is no delicious payoff like in the first film. Joker does not snap and go on a killing spree, or give a joyously psychotic rant, no, he confesses. Traces of the Joker makeup he wore so defiantly in court still remain, but our clever mastermind clown prince of crime, or what he could have been, is reduced to this blubbering, maniacally laughing, apologetic thing on his last stand.
After the trials inevitable conclusion, the torture doesn’t end for poor Arthur, oh no. Lee is gone, the music in his head has ceased, and things at Arkham with everyone’s favorite singing guard Jackie Sullivan (Brendan Gleeson) is about to take a turn for the seriously worse.
The movie has a well-earned R rating and though it isn’t graphic per se, no one in the audience wanted to share head-space with the strongly implied image of Brendan Gleeson having to act out raping Joaquin Phoenix, broken and beaten and lost, utterly powerless.
Also, tell me in a movie that we’re set in the 1980’s without telling me we’re in the 80’s – damn near every single last character is smoking. Like, constantly. Throughout most of the musical numbers too. Hell, the first thing Arthur Fleck says of any note in the movie, is to ask his interviewer for a cigarette. Likely even unconsciously divisive with the audience, the smoking emphasizes the melancholia of most of the characters and indeed, the very grungy atmosphere of 80’s Gotham City.
The director already said that this version of the Joker isn’t the “real one”, which harkens back to the time of the TV show Gotham, who gave credence to the notion that Joker ideals and madness could be spread like a plague and therefore anyone could in theory be Joker, and this theory holds at the very end of the film and what the assassin does to himself in the blurred, blood-soaked background. Which, hey, I’m fine with the idea of these Joker films being one-offs in a separate but attached DC-verse, but it only makes one pity poor Arthur Fleck even more. Not even the real madman, just a depressed little would-be clown, betrayed by everyone, totally alone. All Arthur ever wanted was to entertain people, and surely the sequel does that idea up big, with larger-than-life musical numbers, dancing and costumes and a love story for two very widely known characters, but in the most grim-dark depressingly bleak manner possible. It mostly really is all in Arthur’s head, after all. None of the truly beautiful parts are real. And that thought is truly depressing, for it’s as close to real life as one is going to get inside the DC-verse. It’s kind of like we the audience are betraying Arthur too, because we’re watching his life unraveling as a form of consumer entertainment. And I don’t watch films for a guilt trip, thank you.
One could say that no matter what strong opinions one has about the movie – and there are many, the Press section in my theater when I saw the film was absolutely abuzz with mostly strongly negative emotions – harkens back to the old thought of, it doesn’t matter if the conversation is positive or negative, you’re still talking about me. Even so, with the film hitting theaters recently and opinions pouring in, scales are leaning more and more towards, “I don’t like it.” Giant do-ups of grandly realized musical numbers, arguably a pair of the biggest stars in the artist world today in the titular roles, and a whopping you-wouldn’t-believe-how-much budget can’t save the Joker sequel from the folly of its own aspirations of … I’m not even sure what. See the film, and you tell me what you think is being presented here.
Listen in for the tears of a clown in Joker Folie au Deux in theaters now!
Movie
Love Hurts Delivers High-Octane Action with Heart

Rating: 8/10
Genre: Action, Comedy
Runtime: 83 minutes
Director: Jonathan Eusebio
Writers: Matthew Murray, Josh Stoddard, Luke Passmore
Studio: 87North Productions, Universal Pictures
Stars: Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu, Marshawn Lynch, Mustafa Shakir, Lio Tipton, Rhys Darby, André Eriksen, Sean Astin
Marvin Gable (Ke Huy Quan) is a former hitman who has reinvented himself as a successful realtor in suburban Milwaukee. But his peaceful life is shattered when Rose (Ariana DeBose), his former partner and lost love, reappears with a chilling warning. Adding to the chaos, Marvin’s estranged brother, Knuckles Gable (Daniel Wu), a ruthless crime lord, is on a relentless hunt for him. Forced to confront his past, Marvin must fight his way through old enemies and long-buried secrets—all while trying to keep his new life intact.
From the moment Love Hurts begins, it grips the audience with a pulse-pounding blend of action, comedy, and emotional depth. Director Jonathan Eusebio, best known for his stunt work in John Wick and Deadpool 2, makes a stellar transition to the director’s chair, delivering slick, hard-hitting action sequences that showcase his mastery of fight choreography.
Ke Huy Quan, in his first major leading role since his Academy Award win, is an unconventional yet compelling action star. He brings an everyman charm to Marvin, making him both relatable and surprisingly lethal when pushed to the edge. Ariana DeBose shines as Rose, exuding charisma and wit, while Daniel Wu commands the screen as a menacing yet layered villain.
The film moves at a breakneck pace, balancing high-octane action with well-timed humor and emotional weight. The chemistry between Quan and DeBose adds depth to the story, making their characters’ relationship feel authentic. While the plot treads familiar ground, it’s executed with such energy and style that it remains thoroughly engaging.
Love Hurts is a thrilling action-comedy that delivers intense fight sequences, sharp humor, and a heartfelt story. Ke Huy Quan proves that he’s not just a comeback story—he’s a bona fide action star. While the film doesn’t reinvent the genre, it executes its formula with precision and flair, making it a must-watch for action fans.
Final Rating: 8/10—An electrifying mix of action, comedy, and heart that proves love—and revenge—can hurt in all the right ways.
Movie
Preview: War 2 – NTR Jr. and Hrithik Roshan Collide in an Action Extravaganza This July

The stage is set for one of the most anticipated cinematic showdowns of 2025 as War 2 unites Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr. in a high-octane spy thriller. Releasing in July 2025, this sequel to the 2019 blockbuster War promises to be a game-changer for Indian action cinema, combining heart-stopping stunts, gripping drama, and unparalleled star power.
Hrithik Roshan reprises his iconic role as Kabir, the brilliant and unrelenting intelligence officer. Opposite him, NTR Jr. delivers another powerhouse performance following his success in RRR and the recently released Devara. NTR Jr.’s portrayal in Devara, a gritty and emotionally charged action-drama, has already cemented his status as one of the most versatile stars of Indian cinema. His role in War 2 is rumored to bring an intense, enigmatic energy that will complement and challenge Hrithik’s suave and strategic Kabir.
Directed by Ayan Mukerji (Brahmāstra, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani), War 2 is a pivotal entry in YRF’s expanding spy universe, which includes blockbusters like Pathaan and Tiger Zinda Hai. Mukerji’s direction is set to deliver a perfect blend of jaw-dropping action sequences, emotional depth, and a storyline that interconnects the spy universe’s key players.
The combination of Hrithik Roshan’s finesse and NTR Jr.’s raw intensity promises fireworks on the big screen. Both actors have proven their mettle in action-packed roles, and their pairing is already creating a buzz among fans worldwide. The film’s international locales, intricate espionage plot, and adrenaline-pumping action set pieces ensure that War 2 will be nothing short of a visual spectacle.
Having already conquered audiences with his portrayal in Devara, where he showcased his commanding presence and action chops, NTR Jr. brings fresh excitement to War 2. His collaboration with Hrithik Roshan is a casting masterstroke that raises the stakes for this ambitious sequel.
Mark your calendars—July 2025 will be an unforgettable month for Indian cinema as War 2 takes audiences on a rollercoaster ride of action, intrigue, and star-studded brilliance.