Movie review
October 1, 2024 · 138 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Joker: Folie à Deux is a 2024 musical drama sequel. Imprisoned Arthur Fleck meets Lee Quinzel, played by Lady Gaga, and they begin a romantic relationship while he stands trial for his past crimes. The story uses songs and fantasy sequences to explore his mental struggles and whether the Joker persona is real. The film shows no clear woke elements such as identity politics, DEI messaging, or social-justice lectures. It stays focused on one man’s personal breakdown, toxic romance, and the cost of fan idolization rather than any modern activist themes.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Joker: Folie à Deux.
Woke representation / casting
White leads match the source comic characters and Gotham setting with no visible diversity push or swaps.
Woke political dialogue
Some talk about mental illness and society appears, but it stays personal and tragic with no activist or identity lectures.
Identity-driven story themes
The story examines Arthur’s split identity and romance, but through a psychological lens only, with no race, gender, or queer focus.
Western institutional / cultural critique
It shows problems with media, courts, and violent fan culture as part of one man’s mental collapse, not as modern anti-conservative or identity-framed attack.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Some conservative viewers accused the film of being woke for centering Lady Gaga or critiquing the first film’s fan appeal, though these views remain limited and mixed with complaints about the musical style.
Creator track record context
Todd Phillips has spoken against woke culture; the rest of the key team follows traditional comic and film work with no activist records.
Production
