Joker: Folie Deux is now in theaters but is getting mixed reviews, with critics and audiences not impressed by its musical elements despite strong performances.
Joker: Folie Deux is the latest movie in the Joker series, now showing in theaters. The film is a sequel to the highly praised 2019 movie and stars Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker and Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. Unfortunately, it has not received a warm welcome from critics or audiences.
On Rotten Tomatoes, a popular movie review site, Joker: Folie Deux has a score of only 34%. This means that many critics do not like the movie. The audience score is also low at 36%, showing that viewers mostly agree with the critics.
Musical Style Draws Criticism
One reason for the bad reviews is the movie's unique style. The director, Todd Phillips, decided to add musical segments, which many viewers found confusing. Some critics called the film a "mess." For example, Moira MacDonald from the Seattle Times said, "Ultimately, it's a wild experiment that mostly falls flat."
Other reviewers criticized the musical numbers, saying they did not fit well with the story.
Despite the mixed reviews, Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga are receiving praise for their acting. John Flickinger, a reviewer from The Flick Pick, said, "Joaquin Phoenix embodies Arthur Fleck's psychosis perfectly." He added that the musical parts felt out of place and made the story hard to follow.
Lady Gaga’s performance as Harley Quinn has also been highlighted, but some reviews mention that she did not have enough screen time. Matthew Huff from Parade Magazine said, "The movie doesn't have enough Lady Gaga." This suggests that while the actors are talented, the movie itself may not have been successful in showcasing their abilities.
Audience Reactions
One audience member shared their thoughts, saying, "The extension of the first installment was excellent. The actors/actresses were perfection. But the downfall was the musical gears."
This viewer felt that the film would have been better without the musical numbers, comparing it to a "Gotham version of Westside Story." Another review expressed frustration, stating that there was "too much singing at critical plot points," which made the Joker character look weak.
Before the movie came out, there was already some worry about the musical direction. Lady Gaga talked about this in an interview, saying the film is not a traditional musical.
She explained, "I wouldn’t necessarily say that this is actually a musical in a lot of ways. It’s very different." Gaga believes that the music is used to help characters express their feelings, rather than just for entertainment.
Key Details About Joker: Folie Deux
Joker: Folie Deux is now playing in theaters, and fans of the Joker story are eager to see how it continues. With its unique take on the iconic character, it offers a mix of drama, music, and crime.
Runtime: 138 Minutes
Main Genre: Drama
Genres: Drama, Musical, Crime
Cast:
- Joaquin Phoenix
- Lady Gaga
- Troy Fromin
- Sharon Washington
- Leigh Gill
- John Lacy
- Harry Lawtey
- Bill Smitrovich
- Brendan Gleeson
- Ken Leung
- Catherine Keener
- Zazie Beetz
- Steve Coogan
- Jacob Lofland
Writers:
- Jerry Robinson
- Paul Dini
- Scott Silver
- Bob Kane
- Bill Finger
- Todd Phillips
- Bruce Timm
- Production Company: Warner Bros. Pictures
- Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Franchise: Joker
While the performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga are noteworthy, many critics and viewers feel that the musical elements did not work well with the story. Fans of the Joker may still want to check it out, but be prepared for a different kind of movie experience.
