I turned on the HBO/MAX (or whatever it’s calling itself today) and realized that I had not yet watched the new Joker: Folie à Deux yet.

Hell, I never seen the first Joker other than a few bits and pieces.

I was not prepared for what I watched. I, like many people, have gotten used to the modern comical versions of “The” Joker. (Not going to include Ledger in this) And on top of that, have been fed info as to making this movie to be a musical.
I was anticipating a Joker akin to Jack Nicholson doing High School Musical.
But this couldn’t be farther away.

This Joker is more what I picture. Psycho head case. Scenes playing out in his head, not knowing what’s real or not real. Sometimes it was almost too real.

It was an emotional, gripping, uncomfortable slow burn, look into someone’s mental breakpoint.

The acting was so on point from both Phoenix and Gaga that it took some time to decompress after it was over.

As mentioned, I have not seen the first Joker, and maybe that helped me like this one so much… But I can say with out a doubt, that Joker: Folie à Deux is now one of my all time favorite movies. In fact it may debut in my fictional top 10 from a single watch.

So if you haven’t watched this movie because of something that you’ve randomly heard or were lead to believe about it, I guarantee you that it’s not like that. Go watch it right now.