When Joker (2019) hit theaters, it was hailed as a gritty, daring reinvention of the comic book movie, earning Joaquin Phoenix an Oscar for his transformative performance. Now, Todd Phillips returns with Joker: Folie à Deux, but this time, things have taken a darker, more divisive turn.
Opening to a lukewarm reception, Folie à Deux earned an astonishingly low “D” CinemaScore, one of the worst grades possible from moviegoers. In comparison, last week's Megalopolis from Francis Ford Coppola fared slightly better with a “D+.” Along with a poor audience response, the movie was slammed with a 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and just a 37% audience score. The blow was further deepened when it grossed a meager $12 million on opening Friday, with weekend projections now sitting at $38M-$40M— a far cry from the once predicted $120M+.
How did this happen to a movie with a $190 million budget and so much anticipation? For starters, Folie à Deux takes bold swings with its musical format, which some feel clashes with the dark tone set by its predecessor. The inclusion of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn added excitement, but her portrayal and the film's direction have split audiences, leaving many wondering if this was Todd Phillips' way of rebelling against the very fans who championed his first film.
While some may find its ambition admirable, the overwhelming feedback is that this sequel veered off course. So, what do you think? Was Folie à Deux an ambitious failure or an underrated risk worth taking? Share your thoughts below!
