The misguided sequel to Joquin Phoenix's controversial 2019 hit is a musical — crazy, right? — that celebrates misery instead of romance

Rare is the musical that can waste a pop megastar of Gaga’s caliber. Rarer still is the one that will send you away humming no tune, tapping no toes. If you bought a ticket to “Joker: Folie à Deux,” then the joke — yet again — is on you.

"Folie à Deux" is set two years later, after a TV movie about the Joker's original killing spree, and Arthur is over the mass adoration of his hideously made-up Joker persona. Phoenix got his inspiration by imagining the real daily life of the '70s rock band KISS.

Joaquin Phoenix wanted a "Joker" sequel bad -- he photoshopped the character into classic movie posters in order to persuade and inspire Todd Phillips to create the follow-up. Speaking on the "Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso" podcast,

The director is hopeful about the future of his country and distances himself from all those on the far right who appropriated the icon embodied by Joaquin Phoenix. Todd Phillips returns to the crime scene in the broadest and most radical sense.

The upcoming sequel to 2019's Joker will see the actor return to the role of Arthur Fleck, with Lady Gaga joining as Harley Quinn/Dr Harleen Quinzel. Phillips has now taken to his Instagram account with a new still from the movie to mark exactly one year until its release,