How Did Joker 2 Change Harley Quinn’s Origin in Folie a Deux?

How Did Joker 2 Change Harley Quinn’s Origin in Folie a Deux?

As a long-time fan of the DC universe, I must say that Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Harley Quinn in “Joker 2: Folie a Deux” is a refreshing yet controversial take on the character. Her wealthy background and psychological education deviate significantly from the traditional working-class psychiatrist origin we’re accustomed to, but it adds an intriguing layer of complexity to her character.


The sequel to “Joker,” titled “Joker 2: Folie a Deux,” introduces a new take on Lady Gaga’s character, Harley Quinn, including her appearance, origins, and background. This departure from the traditional Harley Quinn portrayal in comics and other DC media has sparked curiosity among fans, who are eager to understand how Gaga’s Lee differs from the original. In “Joker 2,” Gaga’s character, Lee, develops a tumultuous and intense romance with Arthur Fleck, influencing him to fully embrace his Joker identity.

In the musical “Joker: Folie a Deux,” Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Harley Quinn deviates from typical depictions of the character in several ways. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences.

How is Lee’s origin different from DC’s Harley Quinn in Joker 2: Folie a Deux?

In Joker 2: Folie a Deux, Harleen “Lee” Quinzel, played by Lady Gaga, is actually part of an affluent Upper West Side family in New York City, rather than the working class as usually depicted in DC and Batman stories. She deceives Arthur Fleck about her background, pretending to be from a similar socio-economic status as him, until the truth eventually comes out. This contrasts with her usual portrayal in these media.

In addition, it’s important to note that Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Harley Quinn in the movie only holds a Master’s degree in Psychology, unlike her characterization as a full-time psychiatrist at Arkham before becoming Harley Quinn in most DC Comics stories. Interestingly, in this film adaptation, Harley is the one who pushes Arthur towards his Joker persona and urges him to embrace it. She also emotionally abuses, manipulates, and lies to him. This is a significant departure from the typical dynamic between the Joker and Harley Quinn, where it’s usually the Joker who manipulates and harms Harley in various ways.

In contrast, Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Harley Quinn often sports an attire that shares resemblance with the classic Harley Quinn costume – red, white, and black – as seen in many DC comic adaptations.

Additionally, in an interview with Empire Magazine, Todd Phillips compared Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Harley Quinn to the devotion of Charles Manson’s followers. Phillips stated, “She embodied the kind of devotion that [Charles] Manson had from his female fans. It’s as if some imprisoned murderers have admirers who look up to them in this way.

Currently, the film Joker: Folie a Deux is receiving a rotten rating of 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, along with a very poor 31% rating from its audience.

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2024-10-07 15:40