The Joker Sequel Fails to Impress: A Look at the Dismal Reception of Folie à Deux

The sequel to the critically acclaimed Joker has received poor reviews from both critics and audiences, leading to its recognition as the lowest-rated comic book movie ever on multiple scoring platforms.

_{^{Photo by Billy Huynh on Unsplash}}

Unmasking the Disappointment: The Dismal Reception of Joker: Folie à Deux

The excitement was palpable leading up to the release of Joker: Folie à Deux, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Joker. However, as audiences lined up at theaters, the film’s reception has been nothing short of disappointing. The film’s critics and viewers alike have taken to Rotten Tomatoes, where it has garnered a shocking 33% critics score and an even lower audience score of 31%, leaving many wondering why this once-promising franchise has stumbled so severely.

Joker Folie à Deux An early reaction from audiences on the sequel’s performance.

CinemaScore: A New Low

The film didn’t just falter with critics; it also made history on CinemaScore, where it received a dismal D rating. This unfortunate milestone makes Joker: Folie à Deux the lowest rated superhero movie in the site’s history, dethroning the previously maligned 2015 flick Fantastic Four, which earned a C-. This metric is derived from polls of actual moviegoers, aiming to capture the immediate impressions of those who experience films firsthand.

The reaction from the audience has stung, especially considering the original Joker film, featuring Joaquin Phoenix, soared to a B score and broke over a billion dollars worldwide upon its release.

A Musical Journey Gone Awry

In this sequel, director Todd Phillips revisits Joaquin Phoenix’s troubled character, Arthur Fleck, who is now incarcerated in Arkham Hospital facing trial. The narrative delves into his intense relationship with Harleen “Lee” Quinzel, with music serving as a pivotal element in their dark, twisted love story. The ambitious concept seemed ripe for exploration but appears to have missed the mark with both critics and viewers.

According to Phillips, this sequel marks the conclusion of his creative contribution to the DC Universe, suggesting a finite storyline. Given the overwhelming negative feedback, many pundits question whether a third installment could realistically take shape based on the current landscape.

Exploring Dark Themes The film attempts to explore heavy themes through its narrative.

Box Office Prospects and Future Implications

As Joker: Folie à Deux continues to screen in theaters, it’s facing a grim forecast at the box office, with reports indicating that it may struggle to break even against its substantial production budget of approximately $190-200 million. The critical and audience backlash raises concerns about the long-term prospects of the franchise, with fans and film scholars alike pondering how this failure may affect future DC projects.

Conclusion: A Remarkable Fall from Grace

Building on the polarizing themes of the original, the sequel ultimately lacks the strong engagement that characterized its predecessor, leading to a staggering decline in audience interest. As the saga of Arthur Fleck and his descent into madness continues to unfold, the journey outlined in Joker: Folie à Deux serves as a striking reminder of how high expectations can lead to equally profound disappointments. As cinema lovers reflect on this latest offering, only time will tell if it can ever find redemption in the ever-evolving landscape of DC storytelling.

For those curious to form their own opinions, Joker: Folie à Deux is currently playing in theaters. Additionally, fans can look forward to new developments in upcoming DC films as well as an exciting lineup in the 2024 movie schedule.