Hideo Kojima shares his thoughts on Joker: Folie à Deux

I watched Joker: Folie à Deux. The beginning of the film is an animation sequence, reminiscent of the nostalgic «Looney Tunes», depicting a story of Joker and Joker's shadow. In the trial that follows, the question of his multiple personality is argued from beginning to end. Is the Joker Arthur? Is the Joker another personality (his shadow)? Who exactly is Arthur? This revelation eventually transforms into a meta-perspective. In the previous film, «Joker,» was it really Joker who captivated audiences around the world? Or was it Arthur? This question is constantly raised to Lee and even to the people of Gotham City within the film. We live in an age of mass production of «poetic justice» heroes, a battle between good and evil.

Lately, many spin-off films with a focus on the villains have been made. Can villains be superheroes too? Is this question posed on the big screen as a DC movie, too avant-garde? Was it the Joker that audiences around the world loved? Was it Arthur? This is where the reviews have diverged. Over the next 10 or 20 years, this film's reputation will likely change along with the permeation of hero movies to come. It may take some time for it to become a true «folie à deux». But there is no doubt that everyone in the audience loved Joaquin and Gaga in this film.