The anticipation for Joker: Folie à Deux has taken a surprising turn. Once a guaranteed hit expected to open with a $100M box-office haul, this sequel to 2019's gritty Joker now faces much more sobering prospects. With the film's release just weeks away on October 4, 2024, initial buzz is dwindling, especially after its cold reception at the Venice Film Festival.
While Joaquin Phoenix returns to his role as Arthur Fleck and Lady Gaga steps in as Harley Quinn, the R-rated musical direction has left fans unsure. The film's unique shift in tone—blending psychological drama with musical elements—has made it a hard sell to the core audience who appreciated the dark and realistic portrayal of Gotham's criminal underworld in the original.
Critics at Venice weren't kind, which has sent worrying signals to industry insiders. Empire City, a former theatrical exhibitor, has noted that Folie à Deux's initial $100M projection is now in “serious jeopardy,” with concerns that the opening could drop well below expectations. The combination of critical reviews and the genre shift could place it in a similar box-office territory as recent underperformers like The Marvels or The Flash.
With three weeks until its release, Joker: Folie à Deux will need a strong final marketing push to regain momentum and prove that this bold new direction is more than just a gamble. Will it rise like its predecessor or fizzle out? Only time will tell.
