SPOILER ALERT: Major spoilers ahead for "Joker: Folie à Deux," now captivating audiences in theaters!

Joaquin Phoenix returns to the silver screen in his critically acclaimed role as the notorious Joker in "Joker: Folie à Deux," the highly anticipated sequel to his Oscar-winning performance in 2019’s "Joker." This time, he’s joined by Grammy-winning sensation Lady Gaga, who steps into the shoes of the beloved yet chaotic anti-hero Harley Quinn.

The gripping sequel picks up after the harrowing events of the first film, with Phoenix’s character, Arthur Fleck, facing a violent trial for his previous crimes. As Arthur’s lawyer, played by Catherine Keener, defends him by arguing that Arthur and the Joker are distinctly separate entities shaped by his turbulent childhood, tension mounts in the courtroom. The prosecution, spearheaded by a young Harvey Dent—whose character has not yet morphed into the infamous Two-Face—brings his A-game, setting the stage for a fierce legal battle that highlights themes of madness, identity, and societal failure.

In a shocking twist during the trial, an explosion erupts outside the courthouse, plunging Gotham into chaos. While Arthur manages a fleeting escape aided by his loyal followers, he's soon apprehended by authorities and returned to the infamous Arkham Asylum. Interestingly, Dent suffers facial injuries amid the chaos, foreshadowing his transformation into the iconic villain.

The film concludes with a harrowing scene—a stark reminder of Arthur's relentless struggle against madness. A deranged inmate, played by Connor Storrie, ambushes Arthur and, after cracking a chilling joke, violently stabs him, leaving audiences gasping in shock. As Arthur lies bleeding, the inmate crafts a “Glasgow smile” across his face, reflecting the grotesque dynastic ties to past Jokers, particularly Heath Ledger's portrayal.

Fans are buzzing with speculation about the significance of Storrie’s character—could this be a clever homage to Ledger’s unforgettable performance in "The Dark Knight"? While the two portrayals share similar disfigurements, it appears more like a nod rather than a direct connection. Given the starkly different settings and timelines—"The Dark Knight" unfolds in the modern era, while the "Joker" series wraps its narrative in the gritty 1980s—the chance of an actual crossover between the two iterations remains slim.

As the Joker saga seemingly wraps up for Phoenix, it's clear that the "Joker" films exist in their own universe, distinct from Matt Reeves' "The Batman" trilogy and the newly reimagined DC Universe spearheaded by James Gunn. The possibility of Phoenix donning the clown persona again appears bleak, and speculation grows about who might embody the Joker next.

Fans may look ahead to Barry Keoghan’s interpretation, glimpsed at the end of "The Batman," as he may bring his own take on the Joker in the highly anticipated sequel set for 2026.

In a world where the Joker’s legacy twists and turns across different interpretations, "Joker: Folie à Deux" adds an intriguing chapter to an already rich and complex narrative. The final moments breathe new life into the ongoing debate about identity, insanity, and the dark allure of Gotham's most infamous villain. Each Joker movie leaves audiences pondering—what truly defines a villain? And could the story of the Joker ever truly be finished?