Todd Phillips’s supervillain reboot is encountering significant hurdles in its latest installment, with critics highlighting a sluggish narrative and mismatched musical sequences that have even drawn snickers from the film’s own stars.
Just released, “Joker: Folie à Deux” is the sequel to the 2019 sensation “Joker,” which received widespread acclaim and an Oscar for its distinct portrayal of the DC Comics antihero. The film reunites Joaquin Phoenix, who dons the clown makeup once more, alongside Lady Gaga, who not only acts but also sings, marking this entry as a musical.
However, initial reviews have been stark. The Daily Beast labeled it “so bad and so boring it’s absolutely shocking,” while the New York Post described it as “pathologically unnecessary.” Vanity Fair chimed in with remarks calling it “startlingly dull.”
Despite the negative critical response, one might assume audiences are still on board, right? Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Audience scores are currently dishearteningly low at 31%, with many viewers echoing the same concerns regarding the film’s pacing and overall engagement.
Adding to the chatter, particularly among Gaga’s fanbase, there is speculation online that several of her scenes, including some glimpsed in the trailer, have been cut from the final edit. This has ignited a call for the “Gaga cut” to be released.
What do Gaga and Phoenix think about the finished product? An interesting moment during an interview featured the two exchanging nervous smiles when asked about the film. Observers have hinted that Phoenix may have indicated it was “horrible.” Moreover, rumors about potential tensions between Todd Phillips and DC Studios further complicate matters.
Beyond the critiques, the film also grapples with tonal inconsistencies—one minute, the Joker shares dark, suicidal thoughts with Gaga’s character, and the next, they’re performing a lively jazz standard. This jarring contrast hasn’t gone unnoticed by meme creators online.
So how’s it faring at the box office? The film garnered $114.8 million globally during its opening weekend, which may not seem terrible at first glance. However, it’s a stark contrast to the first film’s impressive $248.4 million debut, despite this sequel carrying a budget three times greater. This financial performance could lead it to be branded as a box office flop in addition to its critical setbacks.
The takeaway? It might be wise to suggest a more intimate dinner à deux rather than diving headfirst into the film.