After the somewhat divisive response to the first Joker, which nonetheless went on to find Oscar glory, director Todd Phillips no doubt expected a similar response to this year’s sequel, Joker: Folie a Deux. But, a ‘rotten’ score on Rotten Tomatoes was not likely to be part of the plan. While the Joker follow-up makes some unorthodox decisions, transforming the world of Joaquin Phoenix’s Clown Prince of Crime into a musical (though don’t tell the filmmaker or the actors that), critics have found far more to dislike about Joker: Folie à Deux than anyone expected, with the movie now sitting at a tragic, green-splatted 49% on the review aggregator site.
Justin Clark of Slant Magazine felt that any attempt to be clever or creative in Joker: Folie à Deux was “held cruelly underwater” by lackluster direction, a poor plot, and a misplaced mean streak.
“Folie à Deux’s attempt at showcasing cleverness, verve, or engagement is held cruelly underwater by staid direction, shoddy emotional plotting, a gleeful sense of cruelty, and a grave nihilism that makes Zack Snyder’s work seem like a season of Bluey.”
The criticism continues with Robert Kojder of Flickering Myth who, while initially intrigued by the movie, found what followed to be oddly off-putting.
“Despite its initially intriguing, offputting nature that has no interest in being what anyone would expect from a Joker sequel, it is crushingly boring and often feels like an aimless 2+ coda to that film.”
Critic Eric Goldman scored Joker: Folie à Deux a brutal 5/10, saying, “After a strong start, it turns into a ponderous film. The musical numbers don’t go as big and outrageous as they should and the movie turns into a courtroom drama that is ultimately a slog.” And the savagery continues courtesy of film critic Cody Leach, who gave the DC outing just 1.5/5 and says, “One of the most egregious examples of a cynical cash-grab that only exists because the previous film over-performed. Some great cinematography and production design can’t hide how empty and pointless this glorified epilogue is as a narrative.”
Not Everyone Was as Put off by Joker: Folie à Deux
Tessa Smith of Mama’s Geeky, meanwhile, found the movie to be little more than a rehash of the first Joker, but did praise the lead performances of Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga.
“Rehashes a lot of the same themes (and events) of the first film, but this time set to music. Two incredible lead performances and some fun moments, but overall left me wanting more. A lot more.”
Finally, Marco Vito Oddo of We Got This Covered decries Joker: Folie à Deux for being “disjointed and sluggish” and wasting any potential it may have once had.
“In ‘Joker: Folie à Deux,’ director Todd Phillips’s attempt to blend courtroom drama with musical elements results in a disjointed and sluggish narrative that fails to capitalize on its potential.”
Of course, it would be improper not to highlight the positives alongside the negatives. Sadly, even the more upbeat responses to Joker: Folie à Deux cannot help but sound disappointed. Dave Lee of Dave Lee Down Under said:
“Loved a LOT of what the movie tries to do… But I feel the big swings aren’t really suited and the musical numbers are rather lacklustre. I lean on the positive side, while fully acknowledging how much of a failed experiment this is.”
While Carla Hay of Culture Mix found the movie “uneven,” but did find a lot to enjoy in this tale of “obsession, celebrity fame, and criminal justice.”
“Joker: Folie à Deux is a stylish, uneven, and fairly provocative musical that takes bold risks that don’t always work but the performances are top-notch. The movie is a dark fairy tale about obsession, celebrity fame, and criminal justice.”
Written and directed by Todd Phillips, Joker: Folie À Deux stars Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix alongside Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born), Brendan Gleeson (The Banshees of Inisherin) and Catherine Keener (Get Out, Capote), Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge), Harry Lawtey (Industry), and Joker star Zazie Beetz. You can check out the official synopsis for Joker: Folie À Deux below.
“Joker: Folie À Deux” finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that’s always been inside him.”
Joker: Folie à Deux
is due to be released in theaters in the United States on October 4, 2024, by Warner Bros. Pictures.
