Joker 2: Folie a Deux features a significant change to Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn depiction, origin, and backstory. As such, fans are wondering how exactly Gaga’s Lee is different from Harley Quinn’s traditional portrayal in the comics and most DC media. In Joker 2, Gaga’s Lee forms a chaotic and deep romance with Arthur Fleck, encouraging him to embrace his Joker persona.
Here is everything you need to know on how Lady Gaga’s Lee (Harley Quinn) differs from most DC portrayals of the character in Joker: Folie a Deux.
How is Lee’s origin different from DC’s Harley Quinn in Joker 2: Folie a Deux?
In Joker 2: Folie a Deux, Lady Gaga’s Harleen “Lee” Quinzel belongs to a wealthy family native to the Upper West Side in New York City. In the film, she lies to Arthur Fleck about this, claiming to be from a humble background like him, until he learns the truth. This differs from her typical working-class portrayal in most DC and Batman media.
Moreover, Lady Gaga’s Lee/Harley Quinn only has a Masters in Psychology degree. This is unlike her depiction of being a full-time psychiatrist in Arkham before her transformation as Harley Quinn in most DC Comics media. Furthermore, in the Joker and Harley Quinn dynamic in the film, she is the one who causes Arthur to relapse into his Joker persona and encourages him to embrace it. She also emotionally abuses, manipulates, and lies to him. This contrasts heavily with the usual Joker-Harley Quinn dynamic, where Joker is the one who manipulates Harley Quinn into taking up her usual villainous persona and frequently abuses her emotionally, physically, and mentally.
Despite this, Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn does wear a similar costume to the character’s iconic red, white, and black outfit in most DC media.
Furthermore, in an Empire Magazine interview, Todd Philips likened Gaga’s Harley Quinn characterization to the personality of notorious killer Charles Manson’s fangirls. “She became the way how [Charles] Manson had girls that idolized him. The way that sometimes these [imprisoned murderers] have people that look up to them,” he said.
As of writing, Joker: Folie a Deux has a 33% rotten score on Rotten Tomatoes and an abysmally low 31% audience score.
