The Joker film, back in 2019,completely changed the origin story of the original Jokerto a much more sympathetic character who is more a product of his society and the hardships he has faced rather than general madness. The iconic Batman villain played by Joaquin Phoenix was a fresh perspective on the Joker’s traits and personality and with the success of the first movie came another.

Joker: Folie à Deux builds upon the first movie but also deviates from the character in a major fashion, with a mixed response to its ending and plot. The ending was something that viewers were not expecting and, given its implications, deserves explanation.

Joker 2’s Ending Explained

Throughout the film,Arthur Fleck’s internal battle between his Joker persona and his real selfintensifies, fueled by his relationship with Lady Gaga’s character, Lee Quinzel. By the film’s conclusion,Arthur is just going through one tragedyafter another.

In a pivotal moment,Arthur seems to reject his Joker identityand faces punishment for his actions. He brieflyescapes the courtroomwhen chaos erupts after theJoker fanatics bomb the courthouse, freeing Arthur.

He isn’t free for long though andsoon finds himself back in Arkham, where he is first assaulted by a guard off-screen and then Leeno longer wants anything to do with himafter hegives up the Joker persona.

The film delivers its final twist whenArthur is stabbed by a young inmate(possibly a younger version of Heath Ledger’s Joker) who idolized himbut is disappointed with his actions in the courtroom.

The ending possibly implies that the Joker persona can never truly die, associety’s obsession with the character continues.

Is The Joker 2 Connected To The Dark Knight?

Todd Phillips’ Joker films, starring Joaquin Phoenix,are set in a standalone universethat focuses on a realistic, psychological depiction of the Joker’s origin.

Phillips has emphasized thathis version of the Joker is a grounded, character-driven narrative that is far fromthe superhero stories typical of DC films.

At the same time, Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy takes place in amore comic book-inspiredsuperhero universe, with Heath Ledger’s Joker as an established villain in Gotham,without a detailed backstory or origin.

Some elements in Folie à Deux’s ending,such as the inmate who kills Arthur Fleck, have sparked theories among fans.This inmate’s actions are reminiscent of Heath Ledger’s Joker, which has led to speculation that the films might be subtly connected, but this appears to bemore of an intentional Easter eggorhomage rather than an actual narrative link​.

While fans may draw parallels betweenPhoenix and Ledger’s performances, both Jokers inhabit separate cinematic worlds. Phillips' films focus more onpsychological deteriorationand the consequences of a flawed society, whereas Nolan’s trilogy centers around a morecomic-accurate retelling of Batman and the Joker.

Ultimately,Joker 2 stands apartfrom The Dark Knight universe, and the character that killed Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker is inspired byHeath Ledger’s Joker portrayalrather than beinga younger versionthat fans have speculated him to be.