Many were eagerly waiting for the return of the Joker in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ Directed by Todd Phillips, this film brings Joaquin Phoenix back to the iconic role, joined by none other than Lady Gaga.
The movie kicked off to a rocky start over its first weekend, not quite hitting the high notes fans and critics had hoped for.
‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ secured the dubious title of being the first ever comic book film to receive a D rating from CinemaScore. For those unfamiliar, CinemaScore is a company that gathers viewers’ reactions right after they’ve seen a movie, offering an average score that serves as a sort of report card for films.
Before this, the lowest score a comic book movie had received was a C-, given to the 2015 film ‘Fantastic Four’.
Let’s reminisce for a moment. The original 2019 ‘Joker’ film, which earned Joaquin Phoenix a prestigious Oscar for his captivating performance, managed a far better B+ rating with audiences. Even films from this year, despite mixed reviews, came out ahead of Folie à Deux— ‘Borderlands’ received a D+, and ‘Madame Web’ managed a C+.
Bringing in over $1 billion worldwide, the first Joker movie was nothing short of a smash success. But Folie à Deux’s opening weekend was a different story, earning roughly $40 million in North America, a notable miss from what industry insiders were expecting.
Alongside Phoenix, Lady Gaga stepped into the shoes of Harley Quinn, capturing many hearts with her portrayal of the vibrant character. The film is presented as a musical, chronicling Arthur Fleck’s legal journey following the chaos he incited in the first installment.
In a review by PEOPLE’s Tom Gliatto, he described Folie à Deux as “a musical dive into misery,” calling it a musical straight out of a nightmare set to popular tunes. The film’s presence on Rotten Tomatoes was less than stellar; it held an average rating of 33% from critics and a similar 31% from regular moviegoers.
Todd Phillips, the creative mind behind both Joker films and the comedic ‘Hangover’ series, has openly discussed how he intended to push boundaries with this follow-up film.
Moreover, Phillips indicated during a chat with The Hollywood Reporter that he has no plans for a third Joker film: “These two are my DC stories,” he expressed, closing the curtain on any future plans for expansion in this universe.
A bit of solace was shared by fellow filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola on Instagram. Coppola, known for high-budget films, expressed admiration for Phillips’s bold endeavors and past works, applauding how his projects consistently
