JOKER 2: Folie à Deux Review | EMBARRASSINGLY AWFUL!
The highly anticipated sequel to 2019's finally hit theaters, and it seems that not everyone is laughing.
promised to dive deeper into Arthur Fleck's psyche while adding a musical twist, but some critics and fans are shaking their heads in disbelief. The film has sparked a heated debate, with many wondering if this was the follow-up that the original deserved or just a chaotic misstep.
When was released in 2019, it took the world by storm, captivating audiences with Joaquin Phoenix's Oscar-winning performance. Its gritty and raw take on Gotham’s infamous villain felt refreshing, a stark contrast to the typical superhero fare.
However, no one was particularly clamoring for a sequel. The first film was so complete in its storytelling that many thought a follow-up would risk tarnishing its legacy. When was announced, eyebrows were raised, especially when it was revealed that the movie would be a musical. That choice left audiences puzzled—why take a gritty, grounded story and suddenly throw in song and dance? It seemed like a bold gamble, and not everyone was willing to play along.
The decision to incorporate musical elements in was, to say the least, controversial. Some called it visionary, while others found it jarring. The movie oscillates between bleak moments and Broadway-style numbers, a mix that feels more disjointed than daring. One minute, Arthur Fleck is grappling with his inner turmoil, and the next, he's belting out show tunes in a sequence that feels straight out of a fever dream.
Fans of the original were left scratching their heads at these tonal shifts. "It felt like watching two different movies at once," said one disgruntled viewer leaving the theater.
"The parts with Joaquin were great, but then suddenly it turns into on acid." The songs, while admittedly catchy at times, often seemed out of place and undercut the dark atmosphere that made the first so gripping.
Lady Gaga’s casting as Harley Quinn had fans buzzing, and there's no denying that her performance is one of the film’s bright spots. She brings an unhinged energy to the character that fits the chaotic nature of the movie.
Her chemistry with Joaquin Phoenix is electric, and her voice adds an undeniable allure to the musical scenes. But even her talent can’t fully salvage a film that seems unsure of what it wants to be. Her scenes are captivating in isolation, yet when woven into the broader context of the film, they come off as moments of brilliance in an otherwise uneven story.
Some defenders of argue that the movie’s erratic style is intentional, meant to mirror Arthur’s fractured mental state.
There’s an argument to be made that embraces the chaos to provide an immersive experience, pulling the viewer into Arthur’s spiraling insanity. However, many found the storytelling convoluted, with a plot that meanders rather than develops. The film tries to juggle too many ideas—Arthur's descent, his relationship with Harley, and the implications of his actions on Gotham—resulting in a narrative that feels overstuffed and undercooked.
There’s a fine line between innovation and indulgence, and
often seems to cross into the latter. The movie prides itself on being different, but at times, it feels like it’s different for the sake of being different. Its ambition to mix genres, deliver a psychological thriller, and throw in a musical extravaganza all at once ends up muddling the final product. It’s like a chef who combines all their favorite dishes into one recipe—just because each ingredient is good doesn’t mean they’ll work together.
Reactions to have been all over the map. While some praise the film for its boldness and the performances of Phoenix and Gaga, many feel it strayed too far from what made the original great. "I loved the first movie, but this was just bizarre," one fan lamented online. The film's disjointed nature, sudden musical numbers, and attempts at deep philosophical commentary left many wondering if it was trying too hard to be artistic. Others have defended it as a misunderstood masterpiece, arguing that time may soften the harsh critiques it’s currently receiving.
The real question now is how history will judge . It’s a film that took huge risks, some of which paid off in individual moments, but as a whole, it left many audiences bewildered rather than entertained. Whether it will gain a cult following or simply be remembered as a sequel that failed to live up to its predecessor remains to be seen.
What’s your take on ? Did it leave you intrigued or just plain confused? Share your thoughts and let the debate rage on!
