Joker 2 Plot Summary
After being arrested for the murder of the three men on the subway, his co-worker Randall as well as the talk show host – Murray Franklin, Arthur is arrested and lives in the Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane (aka Arkham Asylum).
The guards at the prison bully Arthur but he continues to live, making it his new norm.
Arthur meets his defence attorney, Ms Maryanne Stewart ,who uses a therapist interview to prove in court that Arthur suffers from split personality disorder.
Maryanne aims to prove that the crimes were committed by Joker, the alternative personality that takes over Arthur’s mind when he suffers trauma.
What happens after Arthur meets Harley in prison?
At Arkham Asylum, as he awaits trial, Arthur gets to join singing classes where he meets Harley Quinn (Lee). Lee tells Arthur that she too was charged for committing arson and was sent to Arkham by his mother.
She expresses her feelings towards Arthur and reveals that she loves him. Lee causes a fire and causes a scene with Arthur as they sing and dance around Arkham Asylum.
The guards are upset and put Arthur in solitary confinement. Harley visits Arthur in solitary confinement and the two have sex.
She promises to meet Arthur during his trial and asks him to defend himself so he can be free from prison. Harley tells Arthur that she wishes to build a mountain with him so that they can live together once he is free.
What happens during Arthur’s trial?
During the trial, Maryanne tries her best to defend Arthur’s mental illness by trying to prove that he has split personality disorder and that the murders were committed by Joker – his alternative personality.
The prosecution uses the help of various witnesses including a psychiatrist, Arthur’s former neighbour – Sophie, his therapist as well as Gary, his co-worker who witnessed Arthur killing Randall.
The psychiatrist states that Arthur fakes his mental illness and brings up the personal diary in which Arthur elaborated on his non-existent relationship with Sophie. Harley tries to stand up for Arthur in court.
Did Harley lie to Arthur?
After the first hearing, Maryanne tells Arthur that Harley had lied to him. She reveals that Harley did not live in the same neighbourhood but was the daughter of a rich doctor who lived on the Upper East Side.
Arthur is shattered but upon visiting him at Arkham, Harley reveals that she likes Arthur. She adds that she is pregnant and motivates Arthur to stand up for himself in court.
Why does Arthur fire his lawyer?
At the next hearing, Maryanne interrogates Sophie and brings up her conversation with Penny, Arthur’s mother, when she was alive.
Upon hearing the degrading things said by Penny about him, Arthur tries to isolate himself and sees a vision of killing the DA and the judge.
When Maryanne fails to stand up for Arthur, he gets upset with her and fires Maryanne. Arthur is granted the opportunity to defend himself in court, which excites Harley. She meets Arthur in the holding cell and praises him.
Is Arthur proven guilty?
After firing Maryanne, Arthur dresses up as Joker and tries to have a heartfelt conversation with Gary, who is testifying against him in the trial. Arthur goes in the opposite direction and claims that he is the same as Joker. Arthur rests his case and there is cheering for him on one end while hate on the other end. Arthur envisions living happily with Harley.
When he is taken back to Arkham, the guards mistreat Arthur. At the final leg of Arthur’s trial, Harley shows up in court for Arthur’s closing statement. Arthur sits in front of the camera and states that there is no Joker. He confesses to killing 6 people, including his mother and adds how he did it all by himself.
Harley is disappointed in Joker and walks out of court. Arthur tries to call Harley to be there for him but she does not answer his call. He sings his feelings to her in the voice message.
At her house, Harley listens to Arthur’s message while holding a gun to her head. The jury returns with a guilty verdict which makes Arthur break into laughter due to his nervousness.
Does Arthur manage to escape from court?
There is chaos in the courtroom when a car bomb explodes, blowing the courtroom up. The explosion was caused by Arthur’s loyal fans who tried to escort him out of court. The fans claim they were trying to burn Gotham City down.
Do Arthur and Harley have a happy ending?
Arthur leaves the car and runs to the stairs where he finds Harley. He asks Harley to flee with him but she refuses to go with him. Harley tells Arthur that he killed the fantasy by stating that there was no Joker and bids him farewell. The cops arrest Arthur and take him back to Arkham Asylum.
Does Arthur Fleck die? How does Joker: Folie à Deux end?
A few days later, Arthur is asked to go see a visitor. On his way out, his admirer, Ricky Meline, stabs Arthur with a knife as the film ends with Arthur passing out with blood flowing out of his stomach.