Viewers feel that Harley Quinn is corrupting Joker instead of helping him after watching the trailer of Joker 2.
Highlights
- Harley Quinn seems to take control in Joker 2, manipulating Joker to embrace his dark side and be true to himself, according to the new trailer.
- The dynamics between Harley and Joker in the upcoming film seem to challenge traditional comic portrayals, with Harley appearing to be the one in power.
- The relationship between Joker and Harley in Joker 2 appears to deviate from the usual narrative, showing Harley as a strong influence on Joker.
The Joker 2 trailer portrayed a fresh take on the relationship between Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck, aka Joker and Lady Gaga's Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel aka Harley Quinn.
DC fans are aware of the dynamics between Joker, one of the most dangerous and evil villains in the DC universe, and Harley Quinn, one of the anti-heroes. Joker used his enigmatic personality and charm to fascinate Harleen, the psychiatrist working at Arkham Asylum, who was assigned to analyze him, Gotham City's most notorious criminal. She was idealistic and optimistic and believed in the power of rehabilitation and redemption before they met. However, as they got r and she delved deeper into his twisted mind, boundaries began to blur and he turned her into Harley Quinn, his loyal accomplice and devoted lover. However, in the new Joker 2 trailer dropped by Warner Bros. Pictures on April 10, the tables seemingly turned with Harley having the upper hand and manipulating Joker to be the worst version of himself.
A fan shared the trailer on Reddit and it sparked discussion, with one sharing his take after watching the dynamics between Harley and Joker in the new trailer. According to the online user, it appeared that Harley and Joker's relationship in Joker 2 would be the inverse of how they were portrayed in the comics. In the trailer, Harley seemingly caught Joker's attention the first time he saw her. In one scene, she makes a gun gesture with her hand while pointing at her temple and blows it while looking straight at Joker with a voiceover in the background, saying, "I haven't done anything with my life like you have." In another scene, she leans over and tells him, "Let's get out of here," while they watch a program. The trailer also ends with Harley visiting Arthur at the jail and drawing a red smile using her lipstick on the glass separating them, with a voiceover that says:
I want to see the real you.
The first trailer seems to portray Harley as someone more powerful than Joker. She seems to be the one who manipulates him. The netizen who pointed out the fresh dynamics between the two characters said Arthur appeared to be someone trying his best not to relapse, but Harley was seemingly encouraging him to embrace his dark side. Several users agreed that it seemed to be the case in the new film. Also, one should note that she appeared to be a fellow patient and not his doctor in the trailer. Despite the deviation from the comics, many expressed their approval, saying they loved it because it was new to them.
Joker and Harley have a complex relationship, but to most, it was the former who corrupted the latter because he exploited her vulnerabilities and insecurities. In the comics, she was after his approval and was willing to go to extreme lengths to impress him, even using her intelligence and agility to support his penchants. It was easy to take it this way — that Joker was a bad influence on Harley — because Harley used to be a promising psychiatrist, and Joker had always been a twisted and dark persona.
However, Harley having the upper hand at Joker isn't really new. Batman: The Telltale Series, a 2016 episodic point-and-click graphic video game, had already explored this type of dynamic between the two characters. In the game, Harley is portrayed as a charismatic and manipulative figure who exerts her power and influence over Joker to draw him deeper into a life of crime and violence. The Telltale series delves into the psychological complexities of Joker and Harley's relationship, exploring themes of love, obsession, and betrayal. Despite their shared affection for each other, their bond is ultimately fraught with tension and conflict as they grapple with their own insecurities and desires. No matter how one puts it, in the end, Harley brings out Joker's more playful and chaotic side. Unfortunately, Joker is already a symbol of madness and unpredictability and she amplifies these traits and pushes him to new extremes of insanity by her willingness to go along with his schemes and her unwavering devotion to validate his ego and reinforce his sense of superiority as portrayed in the comics. In the new trailer, she accomplishes the same by encouraging him to be true to himself and embracing his dark side.
Joker: Folie à Deux is set to be released in theaters on October 4, 2024.
Source: MarvelsGrantMan136/Reddit