Joker: Folie à Deux,” the highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 blockbuster “Joker,” debuted in theaters with a starkly different reception, facing mixed reviews and diminishing box office projections. Despite featuring Joaquin Phoenix reprising his Oscar-winning role alongside Lady Gaga, the film has struggled to connect with audiences and critics alike, leading to bleak scores on Rotten Tomatoes and rapidly declining revenue forecasts. Unlike its predecessor, which became a cultural phenomenon and broke records with its gritty portrayal of Arthur Fleck, the musical sequel’s higher budget and ambitious direction have not yet paid off, casting doubts on its overall success.
Opening & Reception
- “Joker: Folie à Deux” opened in theaters with a significantly lower impact compared to the 2019 original.
- The sequel, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, has received mixed reviews, alienating audiences and critics.
- Rotten Tomatoes scores: 36% critics and 36% audience rating.
Box Office Projections
- Box office projections have dropped rapidly:
- Initially predicted to open at $70 million three weeks ago.
- Revised to $55-60 million earlier this week.
- Currently expected to make around $50 million on opening weekend.
- Global projections: $140 million, which is lower than the first film’s numbers.
Production Budget
- “Joker: Folie à Deux” was produced with a much larger budget ($200 million) compared to the original ($70 million).
- The original “Joker” grossed over $1 billion and was highly profitable, generating an estimated $437 million in net profits.
Preview Earnings
- The sequel earned $7 million from Thursday previews, almost half of the $13.3 million the original made.
Original Film Success
- “Joker” (2019) was a surprise hit, earning $96 million in its opening weekend, breaking the October opening record.
- The film’s total gross was $1.08 billion, making it the highest-grossing R-rated movie (until 2024).
- It received 11 Oscar nominations, with Joaquin Phoenix winning Best Actor and Hildur Guðnadóttir winning Best Score.
- The film sparked cultural discussion, with some accusing it of glorifying violence.
Critical Reception of the Sequel
- Reviews criticized the sequel for being unfocused and lacking a compelling plot.
- Toronto Star critic Peter Howell called the musical numbers “incessant and increasingly annoying.”
- San Francisco Chronicle’s G. Allen Johnson called it a “traumatizing cinematic experience” and criticized the abandonment of the comic book movie concept.
- IndieWire’s David Ehrlich found the musical numbers “underwhelming” and ineffective.
- Some critics questioned the target audience, finding it too different from the original and underutilizing Lady Gaga.
- Rolling Stone and The Daily Beast suggested the film intentionally avoided satisfying fans.
- PostTrak surveys rated it poorly, with only 23% of audiences willing to recommend it.
Upcoming Challenges
- Uncertain whether the sequel can achieve a strong opening weekend or long-term profitability despite bad reviews.
Musical Aspect
- The film is widely regarded as a musical, though the cast and director hesitate to label it as such.
- Lady Gaga stated the music provides emotional expression, while Todd Phillips acknowledged the film fits the musical definition but avoids using the label due to its negative tone.
- Musical elements have divided audiences, creating challenges in marketing and reception, similar to the “Mean Girls” musical adaptation.
