The Dark Side of Gotham: Arthur Fleck's Final Curtain Call

Joker’s world is a mess again, and this time it’s personal. Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck finds himself in another bloody tango, but with Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn instead of his usual solo act. Their crazy love affair plays out against Gotham’s grimy backdrop, spiced up by musical numbers that make the chaos even weirder. The story zigzags through courtrooms and jail cells as Arthur struggles with who he really is. He fires his lawyer and takes over his own defense, adding a weird southern twang to his voice along the way. Just when it seems like he might dodge punishment, a car bomb goes off outside the courthouse, making Gotham’s tension boil over even more. Harley isn't happy when Arthur confesses in court that the Joker is just an act, not his true self. She leaves him on those famous steps, where cops quickly re-arrest him and send him back to prison. There, he faces more abuse from guards and fellow inmates, even witnessing a friend’s brutal murder in a shower stall. But the movie's biggest shock comes at the end. Arthur lies bleeding from fatal stab wounds inflicted by another inmate. In a creepy nod to Heath Ledger’s iconic Joker, this new guy carves his own face into a grin – maybe hinting at someone ready to step into Arthur’s shoes. With such an upsetting end, it looks like we won’t see Arthur Fleck again. But Harley Quinn’s story is still open, and so is Harvey Dent’s path towards becoming Two-Face. The stage is set for more grim tales from Gotham's underworld.