Joker: Folie à Deux ending explained: who dies, what happens to Joker, Harley, and more

2024-10-04

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(Image credit: Warner Bros)

Upcoming superhero movies: Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck and Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn in the movie Joker 2.

Joker: Folie à Deuxis finally here, and it’s certainly a dramatic sequel to the 2019 original. Joaquin Phoenix returns as Arthur Fleck, AKA the Joker, while Lady Gaga steps up as Harley “Lee” Quinzel.

A lot happens in the film, so if you’re left scratching your head over any of the key details, we’ve got you covered with our guide below. In it, we dive deep into the events of the film’s third act, so you’ll have all your key questions answered – including on what happens to Joker, Harley, and more.

Of course, it goes without saying, but the following containsmajor spoilers for Joker: Folie à Deux. Turn back now if you’re not up to date!For everyone else, put on a happy face and get reading.

Joker: Folie à Deux ending explained

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Lady Gaga in Joker 2

Towards the end of the movie, Arthur Fleck has an epiphany in Arkham, and he decides to try and turn towards redemption. In court, he declares that the Joker isn’t really a separate personality and that he was living in a fantasy world. His intention to give up being the Joker devastates his supporters – including Lee, who gets up and leaves the court in disgust.

During the closing statement, though, the courthouse suddenly explodes, leaving Arthur rattled but uninjured. He gets outside and a copycat Joker grabs him and puts him in a car. They drive away with him, though Arthur eventually escapes them and runs away. He flees to those famous stairs, where he finds Lee, now with a new haircut and in full Harley Quinn dress.

Back in Arkham, Arthur is taken to see a visitor when an inmate appears behind him to tell him a joke. Arthur stops to listen, and the inmate stabs him to death, disappointed that Arthur turned his back on being the Joker. The inmate then carves a smile into his own face, suggesting the spirit of the Joker lives on. The movie ends with Arthur dying in Arkham, once again hallucinating Lee shooting him.

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Is the Joker dead? Who kills him?

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Picture)

Joker: Folie a Deux

Who blows up the courthouse?

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Joker 2

It’s not totally clear who is behind the explosion. We hear in a radio news report that a car bomb was detonated, but, while the Joker copycats are very excited about what happened, they also can be heard saying “someone” set off a bomb. They do say they talked about doing something similar, though, so we can guess that another Joker fan is responsible. It seems unlikely it was Lee, considering she was waiting for Arthur on the stairs.

What happens to Harvey Dent? Does he become Two Face?

(Image credit: Warner Bros)

Upcoming movies: Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck and Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn in The Joker 2.

Harvey Dent is the DA in the trial and seems pretty smug about his chances of winning. Of course, Harvey Dent inDC Comicsbecomes the villain Two Face, who has half his face burned away. So, you might be expecting Harvey to get his life-changing injuries when the court house explodes. However, though he looks injured and shaken, Harvey’s face is untouched after the blast, and we don’t see any more from him.

What happens to Harley Quinn?

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Joker Folie a Deux

Is Harley really pregnant?

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Joker Folie a Deux

When Arthur confronts her for her lies, she spontaneously reveals that she’s pregnant, and, when he brings it up again later, she responds with silence and a knowing look. It would seem this is another of her many mistruths, though it’s left ambiguous.

What’s real and what’s fake in the movie?

(Image credit: Warner)

Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)

In the first Joker film, Arthur hallucinated an entire relationship with his neighbour Sophie. Well, in Joker: Folie à Deux, the dream sequences are much easier to identify. Anytime Harley and Joker break out into full on, choreographed song and dance, with Arthur in full Joker makeup, that’s a dream. They do sing and dance in reality too, though, but these scenes are easier to spot, since they don’t change their clothes or makeup.

Are Arthur and Joker really separate personalities?

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Joker: Folie a Deux

Will there be a Joker 3?

(Image credit: Instagram/@toddphillips)

Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn in Joker 2

Director Todd Phillips has been very clear that he doesn’t plan on returning for more Joker movies. “It was fun to play in this sort of sandbox for two movies, but I think we’ve said what we wanted to say in this world,” he toldVariety. Still, the door does seem open for another film focused on Harley, though we’ll have to wait and see if that ever happens.

For more on the movie, check out ourJoker: Folie à Deux reviewfor our verdict, or settle in for a marathon with our guide on watching theDC movies in order. You can also see all theJoker: Folie à Deux Easter eggs, whether there’ll be aJoker 3, and if there is aJoker: Folie à Deux post-credits scene.

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Joker: Folie à Deux ending explained

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Is the Joker dead? Who kills him?

Who blows up the courthouse?

What happens to Harvey Dent? Does he become Two Face?

What happens to Harley Quinn?

Is Harley really pregnant?

What’s real and what’s fake in the movie?

Are Arthur and Joker really separate personalities?

Will there be a Joker 3?

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