“Joker: Folie à Deux,” the highly anticipated sequel to 2019’s “Joker,” has quickly become one of the major disappointments of 2024. The film, directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix, was expected to be a big success, but it hasn’t met the high expectations that many had for it. With a poor Rotten Tomatoes score and a disappointing box office performance in its first few days, the movie is far from being the blockbuster many had hoped for.
Despite these challenges, the movie has still managed to attract attention, although some of that attention may come from the curiosity of viewers who want to see if the poor reviews are justified. With big names like Joaquin Phoenix, who won an Oscar for his role in the first “Joker” film, and the film’s intriguing concept, people are still interested in seeing it, even if it’s out of curiosity about how a once highly praised franchise could fall so far.
Box Office Numbers So Far
Despite its weak start, “Joker: Folie à Deux” has managed to enter an important box office list. As of now, the movie has earned more than $37 million at the domestic box office, putting it in the top 30 movies of 2024. When you add the international earnings, which total $75 million, the movie’s worldwide gross sits at over $110 million after its opening weekend.
These numbers, while not terrible, are far below what many expected from the sequel to one of the most successful films in recent history. The movie that had to give up its spot in the top 30 because of “Joker: Folie à Deux” is Lionsgate’s “The Strangers: Chapter 1,” which had earned a total of $35 million at the domestic box office. As “Joker: Folie à Deux” continues to make more money, it’s likely that it will continue to rise on the box office charts.
Thanks to its established fan base, recognizable IP (intellectual property), and the star power of Joaquin Phoenix, the film still has the potential to perform well in the coming weeks.
If “Joker: Folie à Deux” can manage to double its current domestic earnings, which seems quite possible, it would land in the top 20 movies of the year. It could even surpass “Longlegs,” which has been one of 2024’s surprise box office hits. While this is still a big “if,” the power of the Joker franchise and its connection to a larger comic book universe could help it achieve these goals.
Mixed Reactions to the Musical Format
One of the most controversial aspects of “Joker: Folie à Deux” is the decision to turn it into a musical. This creative choice was a bold move, especially considering the dark and gritty tone of the original film.
For some fans and critics, the musical numbers were an exciting addition that brought a fresh perspective to the Joker character. But for many others, this approach didn’t land as well as intended.
The film’s musical sequences have been described as a missed opportunity by many reviewers. While some moments had the potential to be truly spectacular, the execution fell flat. One major issue was the placement of the musical numbers within the story.
Rather than integrating these sequences seamlessly into the narrative, most of the musical moments are confined to dream sequences. This decision lessened their impact, making them feel disconnected from the rest of the film.
Furthermore, the lack of proper choreography in the musical scenes also left viewers disappointed. For a film as ambitious as this one, many expected more dynamic and visually impressive dance numbers. However, with only one standout tap dance sequence from Phoenix’s character Arthur Fleck, the film didn’t deliver the kind of show-stopping musical moments that could have made the concept work.
Critics’ Feedback on the Musical Format
One critic who voiced his frustrations with the musical format was Martin Tsai, who reviewed the film for Collider. In his review, Tsai explained how the musical concept had a lot of potential but ultimately felt underdeveloped. He highlighted how the idea of turning Joker’s famous stair descent from the first film into a musical moment could have been an iconic scene, but in “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the musical numbers failed to live up to that potential.
Tsai also criticized the way the musical sequences clashed with the overall tone of the movie. While it’s possible to blend musicals with darker, more serious films (as seen in Dancer in the Dark), Tsai argued that director Todd Phillips wasn’t able to make this work in “Folie à Deux.”
Even during the fantasy sequences, which allowed for some creative freedom, Phillips didn’t bring the energy and style that musical numbers typically require. The lack of choreography and the failure to capture the “razzle-dazzle” of the musical genre ultimately left many viewers and critics disappointed.
Audience Divides Over the Sequel
The mixed reception to the musical aspect of “Joker: Folie à Deux” has created a divide among viewers. Some fans appreciate the bold direction the film took, seeing it as an attempt to push the boundaries of the comic book genre. For these viewers, the musical sequences add a new layer of complexity to the Joker character, who is known for his chaotic and unpredictable nature.
Others, however, felt that the musical numbers clashed too much with the tone of the movie and took away from the gritty realism that made the first “Joker” film so compelling. While the idea of combining musical elements with the dark themes of Joker’s story might sound interesting on paper, the execution didn’t match the expectations of many fans and critics.
Impact on the Film’s Legacy
It’s too early to say how “Joker: Folie à Deux” will be remembered in the years to come, but its mixed reception has certainly put a dent in the once untouchable reputation of the Joker franchise. The original 2019 film was a massive success, earning over $1 billion at the global box office and winning multiple awards, including an Oscar for Joaquin Phoenix. “Joker: Folie à Deux” hasn’t had the same level of impact, and it’s clear that many viewers feel let down by the sequel.
That said, the film still has the potential to perform well over the long run, especially if word-of-mouth improves and more people become curious about the unique musical direction. The power of the Joker character and the strong performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga (who plays Harley Quinn in the film) could help draw in more viewers, even if they come with lower expectations due to the film’s early reviews.
The Role of Star Power
One factor that continues to draw audiences to “Joker: Folie à Deux” is the star power of its lead actors. Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Arthur Fleck (the Joker) in the first film was highly praised, and many fans were excited to see him reprise his role. His intense, transformative performance in the original movie set a high bar, and while the sequel’s musical direction may not have been as well-received, Phoenix’s acting remains a major draw.
Additionally, the inclusion of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn has also generated a lot of buzz. Gaga, who is known for her dynamic stage presence and strong acting abilities, was a perfect fit for the musical sequences in “Folie à Deux.”
While the film as a whole may not have impressed, her performance has been highlighted by some as a bright spot. Gaga’s portrayal of Harley Quinn offers a fresh take on the character, and her chemistry with Phoenix’s Joker is one of the more interesting aspects of the film.
Potential for Future Success
While “Joker: Folie à Deux” may not have had the explosive start many were hoping for, it’s important to remember that box office performance can fluctuate over time. The film still has a chance to pick up more momentum as more people see it and share their opinions. Positive word-of-mouth, particularly about the performances of the lead actors, could help boost the film’s success in the coming weeks.
The film also has the potential to perform well internationally. While it has faced challenges domestically, the Joker character has a global fanbase, and international markets could help boost the movie’s total earnings. The unique concept of a Joker musical may also appeal to different audiences who are interested in seeing something out of the ordinary.
Joker: Folie à Deux may not have lived up to the high expectations set by its predecessor, but it’s still a film that has captured the interest of viewers around the world. Its bold choice to incorporate musical elements has been both praised and criticized, but it’s clear that the movie has sparked conversations and debates among fans and critics alike.
The film’s box office performance, while not extraordinary, shows that there’s still an audience for the Joker character and the complex stories surrounding him. As more people watch the movie and share their thoughts, Joker: Folie à Deux could still find success, even if it takes a different path than its predecessor.
