Find out why the critics are throwing shade at Joker: Folie a Deux, featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. Spoiler: It's not just the makeup!
Joker: Folie à Deux has hit UK cinemas, and while it’s the highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 masterpiece featuring Joaquin Phoenix’s star turn, the initial response has been anything but positive. Critics who were once excited have savaged the film, leaving audiences wondering if perhaps the dark clown should have stayed in his box a little longer. The film, which pairs the iconic Phoenix with pop diva Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, was expected to be a sensational blend of madness and music, but it seems the critics played an unexpected tune.
As the reviews roll in, the mixed feelings surrounding the film’s musical elements stand out the most. Some critics have remarked that it feels more like a tragic opera than a comic book film, earning itself a reputation for being a comedic disaster—albeit a high-budget one. The film’s storyline has been described as wafer-thin, and even some die-hard fans of comic book adaptations are wondering if the film really knows what it wants to be. With such a lofty ambition resting on those glorious shoulders since its inception, the confusion between comic book spectacle and avant-garde musical sensibilities might just be its downfall.
Adding a dash of humour to the grim proceedings, Joker: Folie à Deux has also been noted for how it seems to belittle comic book lore itself while still attempting to celebrate it. Viewer reactions are a mixed bag; some are laughing all the way to the cinema, while others have left feeling more ghostly than giggly. Noted humour aside, the film opened to $7 million in previews, and it's projected for a softer domestic earnings round than its predecessor, raising eyebrows across the entertainment spectrum.
Ultimately, while fans of both Phoenix and Gaga wait with bated breath—or perhaps just a tad confused—others are beginning to ask if this sequel is in fact simply a trippy trip down the rabbit hole of mediocrity. Perhaps the Joker should stick to what he knows best: chaotic laughter. And speaking of chaos, did you know that Gaga's performance reached over 1 million views within the first 24 hours on social media? Furthermore, oddly enough, this film has been banned in countries for perceived indecency, ensuring that while the critics may not be impressed, the buzz surrounding it is certainly loud and chaotic!
Critics have mixed feelings about the Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga musical.
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