10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)

Description: Similar to 'Joker: Folie à Deux' in its exploration of a mentally unstable protagonist descending into violence and madness. Both films delve into themes of urban alienation, societal rejection, and the thin line between sanity and insanity. The gritty, atmospheric visuals and intense character study are also shared elements.

Fact: Robert De Niro lost 30 pounds for the role of Travis Bickle. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Martin Scorsese has a cameo as a passenger in Travis's taxi.

Description: Like 'Joker: Folie à Deux', 'Fight Club' explores themes of mental instability, identity crisis, and societal disillusionment. Both protagonists create alter egos as a response to their psychological distress, leading to violent outcomes. The dark, chaotic tone and critique of modern society are also similar.

Fact: Brad Pitt chipped a tooth during filming but chose to keep it for his character. The first rule of Fight Club is 'You do not talk about Fight Club.' The film was initially a box office disappointment but became a cult classic.

Description: Both 'American Psycho' and 'Joker: Folie à Deux' feature protagonists with severe mental disorders who struggle with their identity and societal expectations. The films critique materialism and superficiality while showcasing the protagonist's descent into violence and madness.

Fact: Christian Bale based his performance on Tom Cruise's intense demeanor. The film was controversial for its graphic violence. The ending is intentionally ambiguous, leaving viewers to question what was real.

Description: Like 'Joker: Folie à Deux', this film delves into the harrowing effects of mental illness and addiction, portraying characters in a downward spiral. Both films use intense, unsettling visuals and sound design to immerse the viewer in the protagonists' deteriorating mental states.

Fact: The film's score, composed by Clint Mansell, is iconic and widely recognized. Ellen Burstyn's performance earned her an Academy Award nomination. Director Darren Aronofsky used split-screen techniques to heighten the film's intensity.

Description: Like 'Joker: Folie à Deux', 'The Machinist' focuses on a protagonist suffering from severe mental and physical deterioration. Both films use a bleak visual style and psychological tension to depict the protagonist's unraveling mind.

Fact: Christian Bale lost 63 pounds for the role, reaching a dangerously low weight. The film's budget was only $5 million. The twist ending reveals the protagonist's guilt over a hit-and-run accident.

Description: Heath Ledger's Joker in 'The Dark Knight' shares similarities with 'Joker: Folie à Deux' in terms of chaotic villainy and psychological complexity. Both portrayals of the Joker explore themes of anarchy, madness, and the thin line between sanity and insanity.

Fact: Heath Ledger posthumously won an Academy Award for his role as the Joker. Ledger locked himself in a hotel room for a month to develop the character's voice and mannerisms. The film was the first superhero movie to win a major Academy Award.

Description: This film shares with 'Joker: Folie à Deux' a deep dive into the protagonist's psychological unraveling and the blurring of reality and hallucination. Both films use intense, visceral storytelling and visual metaphors to depict mental illness and obsession.

Fact: Natalie Portman trained in ballet for a year to prepare for the role. The film won Natalie Portman an Academy Award for Best Actress. Darren Aronofsky originally conceived the film as a companion piece to 'The Wrestler'.

Description: Both 'Shutter Island' and 'Joker: Folie à Deux' explore themes of unreliable perception, mental illness, and the blurred line between reality and delusion. The psychological thriller elements and haunting atmospheres are key similarities.

Fact: The film is based on Dennis Lehane's novel of the same name. Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese collaborated for the fourth time on this project. The film's twist ending sparked much debate among viewers.

Description: Similar to 'Joker: Folie à Deux', 'Gone Girl' features a protagonist with a manipulative and unpredictable nature, exploring themes of deception, media influence, and psychological complexity. Both films keep the audience questioning the characters' true motives.

Fact: Rosamund Pike's performance earned her an Academy Award nomination. The film's twist was kept secret during marketing to preserve the surprise. Author Gillian Flynn also wrote the screenplay, ensuring fidelity to the source material.

Description: Similar to 'Joker: Folie à Deux', 'Nightcrawler' follows a socially alienated individual who becomes increasingly unhinged. Both films explore themes of media manipulation, moral decay, and the dark side of ambition, with a protagonist who lacks empathy.

Fact: Jake Gyllenhaal lost 20 pounds to play the gaunt, obsessive Lou Bloom. The film is set in Los Angeles, highlighting the city's underbelly. It was inspired by the real-life phenomenon of 'stringers' who chase crime scenes for footage.