When is the new Joker movie coming out? Everything you need to know about Joker: Folie à Deux

Joker: Folie à Deux will soon be released in cinemas, with Lady Gaga confirming that she will release a new album to accompany the film.

After teasing fans on social media the pop star and actress revealed that she would release a 13-track album titled Harlequin ahead of the film’s release in October.

Having won an Oscar for his portrayal of Arthur Fleck in the 2019 Joker film Joaquin Phoenix returns as the titular character opposite Lady Gaga, who takes on the role of Harley Quinn.

Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix attend the photocall of Joker: Folie À Deux. | AFP via Getty Images

Harley Quinn was first introduced in Batman: The Animated Series as the Joker’s psychiatrist who falls madly in love with her patient, however Gaga’s version of the character appears to be a fellow inmate. The character has previously appeared on screen in DC films such as Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey, where she was played by Barbie actress Margot Robbie, as well as the recent Harley Quinn animated series.

With the UK premiere for Joker: Folie à Deux taking place on Wednesday, September 25, here is everything you need to know about the new Joker film, including its release date and what reviewers think.

When is the new Joker coming out?

Joker: Folie à Deux will be released in cinemas on Friday, October 4, 2024.

Is the new Joker film a musical?

Yes, Joker: Folie à Deux is a musical.

While not a traditional musical in the style of Gaga’s A Star is Born, the new Joker does have characters singing musical numbers though typically during fantasy sets.

In addition, Lady Gaga has confirmed that her new album will accompany the film. Titled Harlequin, for her character Harleen Quinzel - known as Lee in the film - the companion album tracklist includes cover songs such as That’s Entertainment alongside original numbers.

Joker: Folie à Deux reviews

The world premiere of Joker: Folie à Deux took place at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 4, with reviews arriving shortly after.

So far, much like the first film, critics are very divided.

The Telegraph’s reviewer gave Joker: Folie à Deux a four star review, writing that it maintains the same tension of the first and highlighting Lady Gaga’s “creepily magnetic” turn as Harley Quinn. However, they conclude their review by saying: “As a repeat performance – even a cunningly subversive one – Folie à Deux can’t quite match its predecessor for dizzying impact”.

Another four star review, this time from the Independent, states that it “is just as bleak and formally daring as its predecessor” and that Phoenix’s performance “remains powerful and stirring”.

Also awarding the film four stars, NME’s review praises the film for delivering a “surprisingly moving, psychologically complex tale that is part prison movie, part courtroom drama and all musical”. The review concludes: “In short, Phillips and Silver have delivered the last thing anyone expected: a socially responsible Joker movie that finds an intriguing way to explore the consequences (both on and offscreen) of the first film.”

Meanwhile, the Guardian gave the film just three stars with its reviewer stating that while the sequel is an improvement with some stand out moments, including the “sensational” opening, “it ends up as strident, laborious and often flat-out tedious as the first film”.

The Hollywood Reporter’s reviewer also wasn’t a fan, with their bottom line stating it was “funny odd, not funny ha-ha” but that the filmmakers deserve credit for “for going their own way with a canonical DC character”.

The BBC’s review gives Joker: Folie à Deux just two stars, calling it “disappointing” while Vanity Fair’s reviewer thinks it is “startlingly dull”.

Yes, Steve Coogan is in the second Joker film

For those taken aback by his inclusion in one of the early trailers, yes Steve Coogan appears in the film.

He plays Paddy Meyers, a popular TV personality who interviews the Joker while he’s in Arkham.

Joker: Folie à Deux cast

The cast for Joker 2 will be led by Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, with Zazie Beets also reprising her role as Sophie from the first film.

Leigh Gill will also return for the sequel as Gary, one of Fleck’s clown colleagues, as well as his social worker, played by Sharon Washington.

As mentioned, Steve Coogan portrays a TV host while Harry Lawtey - who is best known for his role in HBO drama Industry - plays Harvey Dent, a young assistant district attorney who many will recognise as Batman villain Two Face.

The cast also includes Catherine Keener as Fleck’s lawyer, and Irish actor Brendan Gleeson who plays an Arkham guard.

Are the Joker films part of the DC film universe?

No, the Joker films starring Joaquin Phoenix are not part of the main cinematic universe being built by DC and Warner Brothers.

Alongside movies such as The Batman (2022), Joker and Joker: Folie à Deux are DC Elseworlds projects which means they have no relation to the main continuity of films and TV shows being produced by DC Studios.