The original Joker film, directed by Todd Phillips, dropped in 2019 to critical acclaim and became an instant box office success, grossing over $1 billion.
It seemed obvious to everyone that a sequel should follow and in 2022, Joker 2 was officially confirmed.
Over the next two years, the hype around the sequel continued to build and everyone had high expectations.
Yet the unexpected happened following its release – it received a flood of negative reactions and was a major box office flop.
The original Joker – at first intended to be a standalone movie – follows Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, a failed clown and standup comedian whose descent into mental illness and nihilism results in his embracing of an alter ego named ‘Joker.’
Joker: Folie à Deux develops this, showing Joker struggling with his identity as he falls in love with Harley Quinn (played by Gaga) at Arkham Asylum.
Unlike the original, Joker 2 is a jukebox musical, with Phoenix and Gaga performing multiple songs, including ‘To Love Somebody’ and ‘Gonna Build a Mountain.’
In an interview with Empire, Gaga said the role ‘was unlike anything’ she’d ever done before, as it required a recalibration of her vocal talents.
She explained: “I’m a trained singer, right? So even my breathing was different when I sang as Lee.
“When I breathe to sing on stage, I have this very controlled way to make sure that I’m on pitch and it’s sustained at the right rhythm and amount of time, but Lee would never know how to do any of that.
“So it’s like removing the technicality of the whole thing, removing my perceived art form from it all and completely being inside of who she is.”
Despite such dedication to the role, the movie just doesn’t seem to have landed with viewers.
Joker: Folie à Deux received a very underwhelming ‘D’ CinemaScore, marking the lowest grade the market-researching company has ever given a comic book movie, per Variety.
To highlight how much of a flop this makes it, it means Madame Web and Morbius both have scores surpassing it.
Summarizing many people’s thoughts, The Guardian‘s Peter Bradshaw labeled the sequel ‘claustrophobic’ and ‘repetitive.’
While Laura Potier wrote for Starburst: “Joker: Folie à Deux has nothing interesting or relevant to say, seems to resent its existence, and wastes its performers. Phoenix doesn’t even look like he wants to be there. And frankly, we have to agree.”
As a source sums up to The Hollywood Reporter, it’s a ‘complete audience rejection.’
Metro reports the sequel didn’t fare much better regarding its opening weekend financial stats.
It reportedly made just $40 million at the U.S. box office, considerably lower than its prediction of $70 million.
Of course, this could still improve – but it’s unlikely to do so significantly.
With the disappointing scores, a flurry of negative reviews, and underwhelming box office stats, it’s been reported Gaga has been left shocked by the outcome – especially considering it received a standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.
According to Daily Mail, the pop icon is ‘disappointed’ by the reaction Joker 2 has received, as she ‘put so much heart’ into it.
A source tells the publication: “She thought that this film could get her an Oscar nomination, especially since the first film was such a success and Joaquin won an Oscar.”
They add that Gaga is now eyeing up another huge project, with her team wanting her to ‘move on this from as quickly as possible.’
Amid the movie’s controversy, many people have taken to social media and questioned the sequel’s musical aspect.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one viewer writes: “Joker 2 is the worst film ever. Why the hell did they turn it into a musical, it’s a load of c***.”
In agreement, a second says: “The new Joker movie is actually a musical. Dead** at least 20 songs throughout it… every scene just turned into them breaking out singing.
“I was so disappointed compared to the first movie.”
“The audience that loved the first movie is not the same audience running to see musicals,” points out a third. “This was a gigantic mistake from step one.”
Meanwhile, others have taken to social media and asked why there’s such intense hate regarding the movie and its musical aspect.
One X user opines: “If you hate Joker 2 for the sole reason that it’s a musical, you are a low-IQ individual and [are] also anti-art.”
“It’s brilliantly acted, and beautifully shot. I didn’t mind the fantasy ride into Arthur’s musical mind,” weighs in another.
Watch the trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux below…
Joker: Folie à Deux is now available to watch in theaters.