Entertainment
Joker: Folie à Deux: A take on life’s unfair, paradoxical reality
Joker: Folie à Deux slaps your face with the truth that sometimes, there are no choices and escapes
⚠️Warning: Some spoilers ahead⚠️
As if my general thoughts about life had needed further provoking, Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux just validated them even more. I never thought I’d go full-blown philosophical with this take, but that’s where this is headed. I’ll leave other angles to those with more expertise than me.
Let’s just put it this way: no matter what lens you put on to dissect it, the new musical psychological thriller isn’t “bad” as a standalone film (and sequel to the supposedly standalone Joker film of 2019).
There’s so much to unpack regarding how the film dives again into the complexities of human emotions and mental illness. That’s still through the titular protagonist Joker, or Arthur Fleck, of course. Not only that, this movie makes you rethink your reality and life in general. And I’m focusing on these aspects, if I haven’t been clear yet.
For the most part, Joker: Folie à Deux is relatable again. Fleck’s experiences growing up contributed in shaping who he became. The whole nature-nurture thing can be a good thing. But it can also be the exact opposite — like what happened to Fleck, which was highlighted further in Joker: Folie à Deux.
To backtrack a bit, one need not be an expert to logically see why Joker did what he did. Fleck’s unfortunate backstory led to his current state, as well as the brutal actions he had done as result of triggers that might have flashed his trauma in front of him.
Beautifully set up
And three-fourths through Joker: Folie à Deux, we were convinced that he did suffer from dissociative identity disorder (DID). In other words, the Joker persona was separate from Fleck. It was the former who murdered late night TV show host Murray Franklin, the three subway bullies, and more. Fleck, meanwhile, was the abandoned yet loving and caring individual who could do no harm.
The second film’s plot covers Fleck’s trial for such brutal actions. And throughout, we thought he made a strong case to establish that he wasn’t guilty, since he wasn’t even sane enough to begin with.
Everything was beautifully set up, so much so that you could already predict a not-guilty verdict. His defense had solid arguments to back everything up. A resounding final statement would have left a lasting impression on the jury that handled the case.
And yet, in a red pill moment, Fleck admitted there is no Joker persona and that everything was done by just him. He was handed the guilty verdict, and chaos ensues again, albeit in a different light.
To say the least, it’s incredible what Fleck did. It’s confusing at first, yet it also makes sense. We’ll get to that in a bit.
Even Lady Gaga’s Lee Quinzel wound up questioning Fleck in the end why he quit the Joker masquerade, when he was doing so well with it. Ironically, it was also Lee who told Fleck (as shown on the trailer) she wanted “to see the real” him.
What if the “real” him was indeed one without the Joker personality we all thought was separate from him? How paradoxical. And the film’s open-endedness all the more makes it such a compelling work of art.
No other choice?
Perhaps, for Fleck, it was the only way. He chose to stop delaying the inevitable. He thought of stopping the charades and finally waking up to what was real. Besides, what other choice did he have? It’s not as if everything else still mattered.
Naturally, it’s much more complex in real life. As for mental health problems, there are no magic bullets. Scientifically speaking, there’s therapy, medication, support circles, and developing healthy habits to improve your overall well-being. But “healing” and getting to a “better place” takes a continuous process. It can even go an entire lifetime sometimes.
And sometimes, suffering from such illnesses also hurt those around us. It can push those around us away. We may or may not realize that right away. It’s not that it’s our fault. But at the same time, those who suffer from mental illnesses themselves also come to realize that they will have to play an integral role if they want progress.
In the same logic to a certain extent, Fleck seeing those rallying behind him committing acts of violence, or even Lee getting influenced by his Joker facade, it was a realization that he needed to stop and finally be responsible for all of his actions. That’s even with his upbringing and the trauma it caused him.
Unfortunately for him, there was no escaping his situation anymore after everything that had already transpired, as he was ultimately killed inside the Arkham Asylum. It’s unadulteratedly sad. Harsh, even. And yet, it’s also the reality for most of us.
Unfair, paradoxical life
Beneath Fleck’s transcendence, one may think: if only he had a level playing field to begin with. Truth be told, most of us do not have the same luxury either. Furthermore, most — if not all — suffering from mental health illnesses do not have it too.
Fleck came to comprehend reality. I wouldn’t even say “embrace” or “accept” because both sound forced in this context. That’s no matter how unfair it had been to him, and knowing he was already in a no-win situation.
And for most of us, it takes a while before comprehending how unfair this world is and realizing how paradoxical it can get. For some, it can get really tough like Fleck’s case where there is no getting out. Just imagine how many real-life Arthur Flecks there are.
It doesn’t mean one cannot win in life anymore, or live a reality that’s more ideal. It also doesn’t mean those who have mental health problems can never “completely” heal from them or overcome them.
But it’s no guarantee either. And Joker: Folie à Deux slaps us with this truth. By strict definition, it’s hardly even a musical nor a comic book/superhero story. It’s a take on the reality of life: one that’s unfair and paradoxical; one that sometimes can be without choices and escapes.
How do we even come to terms with life if that’s the case? I probably shouldn’t have watched this movie.
But what choice do I have?
See? Makes you think.
I don’t quite recall the exact line, but there’s a scene in “Wuthering Heights” where Catherine (Margot Robbie) speaks to Nelly (Hong Chau) and finally verbalizes how she feels about Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi). She says they share the same soul. Or something very close to that.
I remember thinking how beautiful it sounded. Passionate. Honest. But also painful — because even as she admits it, she believes they can’t be together.
That felt like the key scene of the film. Everything that follows spirals out of that moment.
Love, class, and a half-heard sentence
Heathcliff isn’t just a romantic lead. He’s a servant in the Earnshaw household. He grows up alongside Catherine and Nelly, but he never truly belongs. They run wild together as children. They share a bond that feels deeper than friendship. But social class lingers in the background, quietly dictating what is acceptable.
On paper, Edgar Linton (Shazad Latif) is the right choice. He’s affluent. Proper. Stable. Choosing him preserves Catherine’s stature. Choosing Heathcliff, in her mind, would degrade it.
The tragedy is that Heathcliff only overhears part of this conversation. He hears Catherine say that being with him would degrade her. He doesn’t hear the part about shared souls. And that partial truth is enough. He leaves.
From there, the film unfolds like a prolonged consequence of a single misunderstood sentence.
Yearning that feels real
Margot Robbie plays Catherine with an earnest playfulness that makes her easy to love and frustrating at the same time. She’s energetic. Mischievous. She often pulls Heathcliff into compromising situations without hesitation. But there’s calculation underneath. She understands the world she lives in, even if she wishes she didn’t have to.
Elordi’s Heathcliff starts off reserved and protective. He doesn’t say much, but you feel how deeply he feels. Later on, when he returns, that restraint shifts. He gives in to his desires. His love turns into something sharper. Tunnel visioned. Almost self-destructive.
Nelly, meanwhile, operates in quieter ways. She observes. Nudges. And positions herself as concerned, but there’s a subtle self-centeredness to her actions. Not diabolical. Just human. Which makes the unraveling feel even more inevitable.
Frames that look like paintings
Visually, the film is dramatically composed. It rarely feels like a straightforward recreation of that time period. Instead, many scenes look like moving paintings. The frames feel intentional. Almost interpretive — like artists reimagining history rather than documenting it.
The contrast between households is especially clear. Wuthering Heights feels contained and middle class. The Linton estate is spacious and luxurious, even down to how distinctly their servants are dressed. The class divide isn’t subtle. It’s embedded in the architecture.
There are also transition shots that feel symbolic, even if I can’t fully unpack them after a single watch. The pig being slaughtered stands out the most. It lingers in a way that feels deliberate. There were several moments like that — images that seem to foreshadow something darker.
A runtime that never overstays
Despite its over two-hour runtime, I never felt the film drag. The montages used to signify time passing cut at the right moments. It never lingered too long, and it never rushed past something important. The pacing felt controlled.
Understandable isn’t the same as justified
After posting a quick exit reaction, I inevitably heard from friends who’ve read the novel. The responses were varied. Some were protective of the source material. Others were more open. As someone engaging with Wuthering Heights substantially for the first time, I can only speak to the film on its own terms.
And on its own, it works.
It even made me want to read the novel. Realistically, I might never get around to it. But the film did its job.
What I do worry about is how some viewers might walk away feeling that the protagonists’ actions were justified. They’re understandable, to a certain extent. The yearning Robbie and Elordi portray is so effective that it might transport you to a time when you felt overwhelmingly about someone.
But understandable isn’t the same as justified.
As the credits rolled, what stayed with me wasn’t the estates or the costumes or even the more dramatic confrontations. It was that earlier line about sharing the same soul. The idea that two people can recognize something that powerful — and still let it slip because the world, and their own decisions, get in the way.
That’s what lingered.
Entertainment
Jason Momoa will star in upcoming Helldivers film adaptation
Justin Lin is set to direct.
PlayStation’s State of Play is about games. However, there are a few times when the semi-regular event can spawn hype for something outside the realm of gaming. Today is one of those times. Sony Pictures and PlayStation have released more information about the upcoming Helldivers movie adaptation.
Early last year, Sony teased a variety of upcoming adaptations for its tentpole franchises. This announcement included Horizon Zero Dawn, Ghost of Tsushima, and Helldivers.
Today, as reported by Variety, the Helldivers film finally has a leading man. Jason Momoa, who starred in the Minecraft adaptation previously, will star in the film.
Since the franchise isn’t really known for a specific main character, it’s unknown who the star will play. We also don’t know his co-stars yet.
Alongside Momoa, Justin Lin will direct the film. The director is known for his work with the Fast and Furious franchise.
Plot-wise, the Helldivers franchise seems tailor-made for the movies. It’s not a supremely story-driven game, but its premise is endlessly adaptable. The games always revolve around a group of soldiers called Helldivers, who protect Super Earth from a host of alien threats. These threats include rogue robots and bug-like creatures.
The film, whatever it might tackle, will premiere on November 10, 2027.
Helldivers 2 launched back in 2024. At the time, the game was exclusive for the PlayStation and PC. However, it recently launched on the Xbox, too.
SEE ALSO: Helldivers 2 review: SIP ON SOME LIBER-TEA!
Entertainment
Greenbelt reopens reimagined cinemas with premium upgrades
New design, seating, and laser projection
Greenbelt has unveiled its newly reimagined cinemas, raising the bar for premium moviegoing in Metro Manila. The reopening forms part of the broader transformation of the iconic lifestyle destination under Ayala Malls.
Ayala Malls COO Paul Birkett said reinventing Greenbelt required both ambition and detail. Alongside luxury retail, the mall has refreshed its entertainment offering with upgraded theaters, a revitalized lobby, and curated food options.
Familiar formats, elevated experience
The refreshed lineup includes 4DX, known for its multi-sensory effects, and My Cinema, a favorite venue for private screenings and celebrations.
The cinema lobby now features a massive video wall for trailers and visual storytelling. The ticket booth sports a cleaner, more modern look. The Movie Snackbar has also been redesigned. It now comes with expanded offerings and new popcorn flavors including Truffle Parmesan, Smoked Gouda, and Salted Caramel.
Food options now include Mamou, Potato Corner, Toki, Chihuahua, and Carmen’s Best, served in a Greenbelt-exclusive popcorn bucket design.
Comfort takes center stage
Inside the theaters, the upgrades are immediate. New wall panels, plush carpeting, and warmer lighting create a more inviting atmosphere.
All cinemas now use Slider seats. These wider, all-leather seats glide smoothly into a natural recline without electric controls. The result is improved comfort and better ergonomic support throughout the film.
Laser projection and immersive sound
Every screen now runs on laser projection for brighter images and more consistent color. Each cinema is also equipped with a Dolby Atmos sound system. It delivers three-dimensional audio that moves around the audience.
A cinematic unveiling
The refreshed cinemas were unveiled on February 10. Guests experienced the upgrades during an exclusive preview of Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
The evening included hors d’oeuvres and cocktails from Dillingers, live music from a quartet, and a special screening of the film, now showing in Ayala Malls Cinemas.
Booking made easier
According to Yvette Roldan, Ancillary Business Head of Ayala Malls, every aspect of the cinema experience was upgraded for comfort and quality.
Moviegoers can now check schedules and book tickets online via Ayala All Access at ayalaallaccess.com.
Greenbelt’s reimagined cinemas invite audiences to rediscover the big screen, where design, comfort, and technology come together.
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