Outline:
A Year of Surprises in 2025
The year 2025 was a standout for movies and television, offering something for everyone on both the big and small screens. From cultural phenomena like Sinners and Adolescence to unexpected critical successes such as KPop Demon Hunters and It: Welcome to Derry, the entertainment landscape was rich with content. However, one of the most surprising hits of the year came at the end of 2025 with Crave’s Heated Rivalry. This Canadian steamy romance series, based on Rachel Reid’s best-selling Game Changers series, follows the long-standing relationship between two NHL rival hockey players. Since its late November debut, the show became an internet sensation that defied expectations, reaching mainstream audiences and even being discussed by the women of The View.
More importantly, Heated Rivalry launched the careers of its two leading actors, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie. These young stars brought a fresh energy and enthusiasm that had been missing from the industry for some time. Their performances were genuine revelations, and many hope they will continue to rise in prominence. However, many fans of the show might not know that Storrie had already made a breakthrough the previous year with a small but significant role in what is widely considered one of the worst films of 2024: Joker: Folie à Deux.
The Unlikely Star of a Disastrous Film
For those who haven’t seen Joker: Folie à Deux, the film follows Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) after the events of the first Joker movie. He is now incarcerated at Arkham Asylum, where he meets Harleen "Lee" Quinzel (Lady Gaga). The film takes a bizarre turn when it becomes a musical, with Phoenix and Gaga performing poorly staged songs. The story also sees Arthur renounce his Joker persona, instead acknowledging his mental illness and taking responsibility for his actions in the first film.
Throughout the film, a young inmate (Connor Storrie) observes Arthur. In the infamous final scene, this character approaches Arthur, tells him a joke, and then stabs him in the abdomen with a shank, killing him. The inmate then laughs maniacally before carving a smile on his face. This ending sparked countless discussions and think pieces, with viewers debating its meaning and significance. While the film itself was widely criticized, Storrie’s performance stood out as a rare bright spot.
Storrie’s Performance in Folie à Deux
One of the few positive aspects of Folie à Deux was the decision to keep Storrie’s character present but not in the spotlight. He doesn’t even receive a name in the film. In most scenes set in Arkham, he appears as a blurry figure in the background, silently watching Arthur. In two key moments, however, Storrie’s presence becomes more pronounced. At the beginning of the film, he attempts to touch Arthur before being stopped, which leads to a violent outburst. Later, he stands near Arthur as the camera focuses on Phoenix, looking up at him with a mix of longing and curiosity.
Storrie doesn’t speak until the final scene, relying instead on his intense, piercing gaze to convey emotion. His eyes are a powerful tool, capturing the eerie intimacy between the two characters. In the climax, as he approaches Arthur to tell his joke, Storrie delivers a raw and desperate performance, letting the chaos take over. After stabbing Arthur, he disappears back into the background, allowing the camera to focus on Phoenix’s weak death scene. Despite this, Storrie’s portrayal of the inmate remains compelling, making the moment all the more impactful.
A New Era for Storrie
While Folie à Deux was a disaster, Storrie’s performance proved that he has the talent to elevate even the weakest material. His ability to steal the scene with minimal screen time is a testament to his skill as an actor. With his newfound fame from Heated Rivalry, more people are likely to revisit his role in Folie à Deux and appreciate the depth he brought to the film.
Although plans for a third Joker movie seem unlikely, there is still intrigue about the possibility of a future film featuring Storrie and Lady Gaga as the Joker and Harley Quinn. While the chances of this happening are slim, it’s hard to ignore the potential of such a project. For now, Storrie’s performance in Folie à Deux remains a shining example of how a talented actor can make even the worst material worth watching.
Joker: Folie à Deux is available to stream on Prime Video and HBO Max in the U.S.