Is Joker 2 really that bad? 5 reasons why we think Joker: Folie à Deux failed us!
The reviews are in, and Joker: Folie à Deux is shaping up to be one of the biggest disappointments of 2024.
Despite the original Joker film grossing over $1 billion and becoming a surprising hit in 2019, the sequel hasn’t fared nearly as well. Opening weekend ticket sales barely hit $40 million domestically, and it received an unusually low D CinemaScore from audiences.
While some might argue that there are redeeming qualities to the story that director Todd Phillips is trying to tell, the overwhelming consensus from critics and fans is that the sequel misses the mark for several reasons.
5 reasons why Joker 2: Folie à Deux falls flat
Joker 2 Was Never Meant to Happen
When the first Joker was released, Todd Phillips made it clear that he envisioned it as a standalone story. He had no plans for a sequel and wanted to focus solely on Arthur Fleck’s descent into madness. Phillips had previously stated, “We have no plans for a sequel… We always pitched it as one movie, and that’s it.” However, the original film’s unexpected success prompted Warner Bros. to pressure Phillips to create a sequel. As a result, Folie à Deux was produced, which brought back Joaquin Phoenix and introduced Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, but it feels like a story that was forced into existence rather than one that naturally followed the first film.
A Musical That Doesn’t Fully Commit
The musical elements in Folie à Deux have drawn mixed reviews, with many feeling that the film doesn’t fully embrace the genre. While Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of the Joker is usually praised, his singing in this sequel comes off as weak and unconvincing, which may have been an intentional choice. The musical scenes often lack the visual excitement that could have elevated them. Most performances occur in the dull surroundings of Arkham State Hospital, making them feel repetitive and uninspired. Although Lady Gaga’s charisma shines through, her powerful voice is often wasted in lackluster musical sequences that feel more like a chore than an engaging part of the story.
A Drawn-Out Courtroom Drama
The courtroom scenes in Folie à Deux have been criticized for their predictability and lack of tension. Since Arthur openly admits to the murders at the center of the trial, there’s little suspense about his guilt, especially after he dismisses his lawyer. This lack of stakes drains the courtroom drama of any intensity, making it feel tedious. While the film tries to introduce subplots to add depth, they fail to compensate for the overarching predictability. The only standout moment is a scene where Arthur questions Gary Puddles on the stand, but even that is sandwiched between an anticlimactic trial.
Lady Gaga Is Underutilized
Many fans are disappointed with how the film uses Lady Gaga’s character, Lee Quinzel. Her casting generated excitement, yet her role feels underdeveloped and sidelined, serving primarily as an accessory to Arthur’s journey rather than as a significant character in her own right. Although Gaga delivers impressive performances, they don’t fit seamlessly into the film’s narrative structure, reducing their impact. The film never fully explores her potential, missing out on the chance to make her a chaotic force in the story.
The Sequel Undermines the First Film’s Nuances
Folie à Deux tends to revert back on the complex portrayal of Arthur Fleck, shifting him from a calculating anti-hero to a mere victim of circumstance and trauma. The original Joker presented Arthur as a character aware of societal corruption, suggesting a more intelligent mastermind behind his madness. However, the sequel strips away that agency, portraying him as powerless and mentally unstable, which flattens his character and detracts from the intriguing complexities of the first film.
With all this said, Joker: Folie à Deux is currently in theaters, but it’s clear that this sequel has left many fans and critics feeling disappointed.
