The highly anticipated Joker: Folie à Deux has finally hit theaters, reuniting director Todd Phillips with star Joaquin Phoenix and introducing Lady Gaga as the Clown Prince of Crime’s notorious paramour, Harley Quinn. However, the sequel’s daring departure from its gritty, grounded predecessor into full-fledged musical territory has left audiences fiercely divided.
A Polarizing Pivot
While some moviegoers have praised the film’s audacious vision and the powerhouse performances from its leads, others have balked at its jarring tonal shift and perceived lack of substance. The decision to lean into the characters’ twisted romance through elaborate musical numbers has proven especially contentious.
It was a brave move to do something different to what was expected and I think that was the point. The plot somewhat mirrored the reality. If you reject what is expected of you, people will turn on you.
– Gary, 42, Ipswich
Supporters argue that the film’s surreal, heightened style serves as a fitting reflection of its protagonists’ fractured psyches, allowing Phoenix and Gaga to explore new dimensions of their characters. Detractors, however, accuse it of prioritizing spectacle over coherent storytelling.
Missed Opportunities?
Even many who admire the film’s ambition and performances have expressed frustration with its uneven execution. A number of critics and fans alike have lamented that provocative themes hinted at in the first act ultimately feel underdeveloped, drowned out by the flashy song-and-dance numbers.
It had so much potential with such a great cast and all the subplots, mental health issues, and so on, but that was all washed over and replaced with songs and scenes that added no value.
– Ellie, Oxfordshire
Others have taken issue with specific narrative choices, from the sidelining of key supporting players to a divisive third act reveal. For many, these perceived missteps make the film a frustrating experience, even as they credit its commendable risk-taking.
A Matter of Expectations
Inevitably, much of the discourse surrounding Joker: Folie à Deux centers on how it measures up to its monstrously successful forerunner. Where that film benefited from its element of surprise, the heightened anticipation and preconceived notions going into the sequel may have set some viewers up for disappointment.
As a standalone film, I think this would have been a pretty interesting concept… Going in with expectations so high after the first movie just set me up for disappointment, this film having been made so completely differently.
– Kirsty, Tyne and Wear
Whether Joker: Folie à Deux’s singular vision will be vindicated in the years to come or go down as an ambitious misfire remains to be seen. What’s certain is that, for better or worse, it’s an audacious effort that will continue to fuel impassioned debate. Like its central couple, the film is sure to be passionately loved and reviled in equal measure.
