Joker: Folie à Deux, the highly anticipated sequel, has failed to impress critics following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. Unable to replicate the success of its predecessor, Joker, the initial reviews from Venice have sparked concern amongst moviegoers.
A Sequel Struggling to Escape the Shadow of the Original
Joker‘s Venice premiere in 2019 was a triumph. Winning the Golden Lion award, the film garnered largely positive reviews from critics. Warner Bros. hoped for a similar reception for Joker 2, but the early reactions suggest otherwise.
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Critics Divided, But Mostly Negative
While a few critics have praised the film, the majority have given Joker 2 a less than enthusiastic response. As of today, the film holds a Metacritic score of 54 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 61%.
One common criticism is that Joker 2 deviates significantly from the tone and style of the original, even seemingly alienating fans of the first film. Director Todd Phillips’ choices have been interpreted as a deliberate attempt to subvert expectations, perhaps even as a reaction to the unexpected success of Joker.
William Bibbiani of The Wrap, one of the few who gave the film a positive review, notes: « The most impressive thing about Joker: Folie à Deux is the way Phillips so willingly undercuts his own billion-dollar blockbuster. » However, Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair expresses a less favorable view: « Todd Phillips’s grim sequel, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, is a big middle finger to anyone hoping for something meaningful from his movies.”
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A Musical in Disguise?
Despite Todd Phillips’ claims to the contrary, early reviews suggest that Joker 2 could be considered a musical, featuring 13-14 musical sequences. This explains the casting choice of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn.
Box Office Concerns
With a substantial budget of $200 million, Joker: Folie à Deux is set for release on October 4th. If the negative reviews from Venice resonate with audiences, the film may struggle to recoup its production costs at the box office.
Is Joker 2 a direct sequel to the 2019 Joker film?
Yes, Joker: Folie à Deux is a direct continuation of the story established in the first film.
Why are the early reviews for Joker 2 so negative?
Many critics feel the film deviates too much from the tone and style of the original, failing to capture its essence and potentially alienating fans.