Following a wave of excitement, ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’, the much-awaited sequel to the 2019 ‘Joker’, has officially premiered in theaters. However, the response is not aligning with what the creators likely anticipated.
A project that initially sparked excitement with its daring revision of the Joker has ultimately fallen short of expectations, leaving fans feeling let down. There is a growing call for refunds from many individuals.
Viewers have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the film. The film has received an unexpectedly low score of 39% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Five years following the original’s triumph, anticipation reached unprecedented levels for ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’. Todd Phillips is back at the helm, with Joaquin Phoenix stepping into his Oscar-winning role once again.
The original ‘Joker’ achieved over $1 billion in global box office revenue and sparked worldwide discussions regarding its intense and somber depiction of Arthur Fleck. Nonetheless, a significant number of people are now arguing that this follow-up was unnecessary.
Critics have expressed strong opinions regarding the film’s perceived lack of necessity. Some have even labeled it as “pathologically unnecessary.”
Johnny Oleksinski from ‘New York Post’ expressed that ‘Joker 2’ comes across as “a sequel we didn’t need.” A number of reviewers shared this perspective.
The inclusion of musical elements in ‘Folie à Deux’ has sparked considerable debate among audiences. Viewers were taken aback by moments featuring Phoenix’s Joker and Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn bursting into song.
Although a few might admire the daring stylistic decision, the majority considered it inappropriate. The film was anticipated to expand upon the intricate psychological elements of its predecessor.
Audiences swiftly turned to social platforms to voice their dissatisfaction. One fan wrote: “Why is ‘Joker 2’ so bad? This is the first time I’ve ever felt the urge to request a refund for a movie.
A different viewer expressed dissatisfaction: “The musical elements seem forced and disrupt the flow.” A total waste of time.”
Analysts reached a consensus on this evaluation. Robert Kojder of ‘Flickering Myth’ described the film as “crushingly boring.”
Some individuals noted that the musical direction seemed to lack focus. It took away from the opportunity for a more profound examination of the Joker’s psyche.
Nonetheless, the performances by Phoenix and Lady Gaga have received significant acclaim. Gaga’s portrayal of Harley Quinn stood out as a highlight in the film.
Despite commendable performances, the script remained criticized for lacking direction. The narrative appeared disjointed and lacking a clear path.
It wasn’t only supporters who felt disappointed. Reviewers expressed strong disapproval in their evaluations.
Kevin Maher from ‘The Times UK’ characterized the film as “messy, lifeless, and derivative.” Jo-Ann Titmarsh from ‘The Evening Standard’ described it as “uninspired and slow-moving.”
Nicholas Barber of the ‘BBC’ observed that although the film aimed to be bold, it ultimately came across as “irritatingly smug.” Numerous reviewers expressed that the film failed to deliver any pleasure.
Richard Lawson from ‘Vanity Fair’ characterized it as “startlingly dull.” He asserted that the film appeared to show a lack of respect for its viewers.
One particularly damning review from ‘Cinema em Cena’ suggested that ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ “makes the original film worse in retrospect.”
There were additional concerns beyond the negative feedback. Initial box office figures indicated that the film was not meeting expectations.
‘The Hollywood Reporter’ highlighted that it garnered just $7 million during Thursday previews. This figure marks a notable decrease compared to the initial ‘Joker’, which earned $13.3 million.
Early forecasts suggested the film was set to earn approximately $70 million during its debut weekend. However, considering the response, that figure might drop to around $50 million.
Regardless of its box office performance, the film’s conclusion ignited intense discussions. The concluding moments left numerous fans feeling exasperated and unfulfilled.
One viewer commented: “The shock value ending is worse than I expected. It feels like they threw it in for the sake of it, with no real payoff.”
The film’s lack of closure or significant development for Arthur Fleck only heightened the letdown. Supporters found themselves bewildered and unfulfilled.
Some viewers, however, presented an alternative perspective on the film. Some questioned whether the film’s unsettling and unappealing qualities were intentional.
One fan explained: “The fact that people thought Arthur was their champion in the first movie but now see him as a nobody is pretty funny.” It is yet to be determined if this perspective will become more widely accepted.
In the expansive world of cinema, where follow-ups frequently carry significant anticipation, ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ appears to have missed the mark. It has unfortunately fallen into the disappointing realm of sequels that fail to meet expectations.
There has been a surge of calls for refunds across social media platforms. Viewers argue that the movie did not justify the cost of the ticket.
Feedback varied from the uninspiring storyline to the perplexing musical sequences. One fan summed it up: “’Joker 2′ was awful. 0/10, I want my money back.”
As the excitement fades following the release of ‘Folie à Deux’, one can’t help but wonder: Was this sequel destined for failure from the beginning? Or did it merely fall short of the monumental legacy established by the original ‘Joker’?
In any case, both fans and critics are clearly not satisfied. Many express disappointment over the time and money spent on a film that seemed unnecessary from the very beginning.
Feature Image Credit: (Youtube/@Warner Bros. Pictures)
