Joker 2: Folie a Deux introduces and dives deep into the complex relationship between Joaquin Phoenix‘s Arthur Fleck (Joker) and Lady Gaga‘s Lee (Harley Quinn). As such, fans have many questions about how their relationship unfolds over the course of the film. Do Arthur and Lee end up together? Why does Lee leave Arthur in Joker 2?
Here are all your questions answered about Arthur and Lee’s relationship in Joker 2.
Do Arthur Fleck and Lee end up together in Joker 2: Folie a Deux?
Arthur Fleck and Lee do not end up together in Joker 2: Folie a Deux.
Joker 2: Folie a Deux subverts the typical Joker and Harley Quinn dynamic, wherein the former is the abusive manipulator and liar and the latter is his submissive victim. Here, Lady Gaga’s Lee constantly manipulates and encourages the naive and misunderstood Arthur to embrace his evil Joker persona.
As the film progresses it is eventually revealed to Arthur by his lawyer that Lee lied to him. Lee does not come from a humble background with an abusive father who died in a plane crash, and did not burn down her apartment in her youth. She is actually a wealthy psychiatrist, her father, a doctor is alive, and she willingly commited herself to Arkham instead of being imprisoned there.
Why does Lee leave Arthur in Joker 2: Folie a Deux?
Lee leaves Arthur towards the end of Joker 2: Folie a Deux because he rejects his Joker persona. It is also because of his admission that he committed all of his murders as Arthur. Arthur not only loses Lee’s love and support but also the support of his followers.
He tries multiple times to reconcile with Lee as he is still in love with her. In their last encounter, Arthur attempts to convince Lee to leave with him someplace. However, Lee simply rejects Arthur and abandons him. This implies that she was never in love with Arthur himself, only his Joker persona.
