Joker 2: Folie à Deux (2024): Does It Hit or Miss?

Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) is one of the most anticipated sequels in recent history, and it comes with high expectations, given the success of Joker (2019). Directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the film takes a daring leap by mixing musical numbers with its already dark narrative. But the question remains: does it hit the mark or miss entirely? In this post, we’ll explore the range of opinions from critics and audiences, analyzing whether this unique cinematic experiment is a masterpiece or a misstep.

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Critical Reception: A Mix of Highs and Lows

Joker 2 has drawn a mix of opinions from critics. While some laud its daring choices, others feel it doesn’t quite live up to the original. Let’s dive into what the critics have to say.

Positive Reviews

Jim Slotek from Original-Cin gave the movie a positive review, emphasizing that Joker 2 is not canon and is more about Todd Phillips’ vision, which viewers may either embrace or reject. Slotek points out that superhero fans may not get what they expect, but there’s something genuine in the film’s execution.

“Folie à Deux is not ‘canon.’ It’s a writer/director realizing a vision with something sincere and clever, which you can accept or reject.” — Jim Slotek, Original-Cin (83/100)

Matthew Turner from NME also praised the film, giving it an 80/100. He highlighted how Phillips and Silver crafted a socially responsible movie that addresses the consequences of the first Joker film, while still leaving the door open for more sequels.

“Phillips and Silver have delivered the last thing anyone expected: a socially responsible Joker movie that finds an intriguing way to explore the consequences of the first film.” — Matthew Turner, NME (80/100)

Mixed and Negative Reviews

Not everyone is as enamored with Joker: Folie à Deux. Ty Burr from The Washington Post found the film’s attempt to balance social commentary with comic-book origins somewhat off-putting. He warns that those who take Joker as a hero are missing the point.

“With more daring than success, ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ says that anyone who takes the Joker for a hero to be emulated is as delusional as Arthur Fleck.” — Ty Burr, The Washington Post (63/100)

Owen Gleiberman from Variety felt the sequel was cautious, despite its superficial attempts at being outrageous. He gave the film a 50/100, stating that while ambitious, it ultimately doesn’t go far enough.

“Joker: Folie à Deux may be ambitious and superficially outrageous, but in a basic way it’s an overly cautious sequel.” — Owen Gleiberman, Variety (50/100)

Audience Reactions: A Divided Response

Audiences are similarly split on their reactions to Joker 2. The movie has a 5.8/10 user score based on 17 ratings, with 53% positive, 12% mixed, and 35% negative reactions. Some viewers found it to be a bold and visually stunning masterpiece, while others were left baffled by its musical elements and narrative choices.

Enthusiastic Praise

One of the most ardent defenders of Joker: Folie à Deux is Renancasteloc, who called the film a “visual and sensory masterpiece.” They praised both the cinematography and the chemistry between Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, giving the film a perfect 10/10.

“Joker: Folie à Deux is a visual and sensory masterpiece that transcends traditional filmmaking boundaries. The cinematography is impeccable.” — Renancasteloc, Metacritic (10/10)

Janebunton also gave the film a glowing review, stating that both Phoenix and Gaga delivered outstanding performances. For them, the negative reviews don’t hold up, as they found the film to be a creative triumph.

“Amazing performance by Joaquin and Lady Gaga. Those who negatively criticize a singing Joker know nothing about the series and the comics.” — Janebunton, Rotten Tomatoes (10/10)

Harsh Criticism

On the other hand, Bnathan gave the film a 1/10, stating that the movie was a misstep. They were particularly disappointed with the musical format and felt the film didn’t live up to the potential of the Joker character.

“What were they thinking? This seems to be a HUGE misstep. The only bit I did like was the ending.” — Bnathan, IMDb (1/10)

Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn: A Hit or Miss?

Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Harley Quinn was one of the film’s most anticipated elements. Some fans, like Renancasteloc, were impressed by her performance and found her chemistry with Phoenix to be mesmerizing. Others, however, felt her role didn’t quite hit the mark. David Poland from Hot Button noted that while the performances were strong, they weren’t enough to elevate the film beyond its issues.

“When a movie from a skilled filmmaker misses as this film does, I perk up & start trying to figure out why. The film doesn’t do what audiences want it to do.” — David Poland, Hot Button

The Musical Numbers: A Risk That Divides Audiences

One of the most controversial elements of Joker: Folie à Deux is its musical format. Some viewers found the musical numbers added a layer of surrealism and complexity to Arthur Fleck’s story, while others felt they were jarring and disconnected from the overall narrative.

For fans of musicals, the numbers—featuring songs from the Great American Songbook—offered a unique window into the characters’ inner worlds. But for those expecting a continuation of the gritty realism of Joker (2019), the songs felt out of place.

Conclusion: Does Joker 2 Hit or Miss?

So, does Joker: Folie à Deux hit or miss? The answer, like the film itself, is complicated. For some, it’s a brilliant continuation of Arthur Fleck’s descent into madness, elevated by stunning visuals and strong performances from Phoenix and Gaga. For others, it’s an over-ambitious, disjointed film that loses its way in trying to be both a musical and a psychological thriller.

If you’re a fan of Joker (2019) and are open to a new, unconventional take on the character, you may find much to enjoy in this sequel. But if you’re expecting more of the same dark realism from the first film, Joker 2 may leave you feeling disappointed.

For more reviews and opinions, check out the movie on:

• Metacritic
• Rotten Tomatoes
• IMDb
• Media Stinger
• TMDb
• Wikipedia
• JustWatch
• Box Office Mojo

For further insights, explore our What’s After the Movie page, where you can dive deeper into Joker 2: Folie à Deux, with quizzes, additional reviews, and more!