Mixed Reviews for Joker: Folie à Deux: From ‘Brilliant Musical’ to ‘Collective Punishment’

Mixed Reviews for Joker: Folie à Deux: From ‘Brilliant Musical’ to ‘Collective Punishment’

Mixed Reviews for Joker: Folie à Deux: From ‘Brilliant Musical’ to ‘Collective Punishment’

The sequel to 2019’s acclaimed Joker, Joker: Folie à Deux, has generated a polarized reaction following its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

Directed by Todd Phillips, this latest installment in the DC Comics franchise stars Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as Arthur Fleck and Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. The initial reviews are a blend of enthusiastic praise and harsh criticism.

IndieWire’s David Ehrlich criticized the film harshly, describing it as an “excruciatingly — perhaps even deliberately — boring sequel” that feels like a form of “collective punishment.” Ehrlich highlighted the film’s failure to utilize its cast effectively, particularly Gaga’s role as Harley Quinn, which he felt was underused. He described the decision to cast Gaga, only to sideline her for much of the movie, as a significant disappointment.

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian echoed this sentiment, finding the film to be “strident, laborious, and often flat-out tedious,” despite some minor improvements in its musical elements. He felt the sequel lacked the depth and intrigue of the original, failing to explore anything new or unexpected about the Joker character.

BBC’s Nicholas Barber labeled the film as a “dreary, underwhelming, unnecessary slog,” while Owen Gleiberman of Variety noted that the sequel diminishes the Joker’s menacing presence. He criticized the film for not maintaining the tension and danger that defined its predecessor, instead portraying Joker in a less threatening and more mundane light.

In contrast, Pete Hammond from Deadline praised Joker: Folie à Deux as a “brilliant musical return to a world of madness,” appreciating the film’s blend of Golden Era musical fantasy with real-world violence. Hammond lauded Gaga for her nuanced portrayal of Harley Quinn, which he felt was a refreshing change from Margot Robbie’s previous performances.

David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter found the film “frustrating” and “uneven” but acknowledged that the musical elements provided some much-needed vitality. He wished the film had incorporated more of these musical moments to balance its darker aspects.

Joker: Folie à Deux follows Arthur Fleck, now confined in Arkham Asylum, as he encounters Harleen “Lee” Quinzel (Gaga). Their chaotic relationship sets off a wave of destruction in Gotham City, punctuated by elaborate musical sequences.

The film’s trailers have showcased these musical elements, including Gaga’s rendition of Ruth Etting’s “Get Happy,” popularized by Judy Garland. Phillips and Phoenix have discussed their early focus on music, aiming to present it in a raw, unconventional manner. Gaga described the music in the film as a chaotic expression of love, contributing to Arthur’s character development.

Warner Bros. has also released a preview featuring Harry Lawtey as Harvey Dent, hinting at his transformation into the villainous Two-Face.

The original Joker was similarly divisive, receiving a 69% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences rated it 89%. It grossed over $1 billion globally and earned Phoenix an Oscar for Best Actor.

Joker: Folie à Deux will hit theaters on October 4.

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