Joker: Folie À Deux Spoiler Discussion & Poll: How Would You Rate The Divisive Joker Sequel? – IMDb
Joker: Folie à Deux Flops at Box Office with D CinemaScore, Fans Disappointed
“Joker: Folie à Deux” opened to a disappointing $47 million this weekend, falling well below expectations. Released on October 5, 2024, the film, directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, was expected to perform much better after the original “Joker” film in 2019 grossed over $1 billion worldwide. However, fans were not amused this time around. The film received a low D CinemaScore and a half-star rating on PostTrak, leaving many questioning what went wrong.
The production cost of the film was estimated to be over $190 million, which adds to the sting of its underwhelming box office debut. Many industry insiders believe that the film’s downfall can be attributed to its creative direction. Unlike the original “Joker,” which captivated audiences with its gritty portrayal of mental illness and societal decay, “Folie à Deux” took a bold, musical approach that left fans of the original film feeling alienated. The switch from a dark psychological thriller to a musical romance was a gamble that, unfortunately, did not pay off.
Friday’s box office numbers were promising, with $20 million in revenue, including preview screenings. However, the movie saw a sharp decline of about 20% on Saturday, suggesting that word-of-mouth was not in its favor. Fans who were excited to see Phoenix reprise his role as Arthur Fleck and Lady Gaga as Lee Quinzel were left disappointed by the film’s unusual tone and pacing.
Warner Bros. had high hopes for “Joker: Folie à Deux,” especially considering the massive success of the first film. The studio invested heavily in marketing the movie, focusing on Phoenix’s and Gaga’s star power rather than highlighting the musical aspect of the film. However, once fans realized the film was more of a musical love story than the dark, intense drama they were expecting, the backlash was swift.
The timing of the release also posed challenges. Many believe that premiering the film at the Venice Film Festival a month before its theatrical release was a mistake. Early negative reviews on Rotten Tomatoes only added to the film’s struggles. The decision to allow Phillips creative control over the movie may have been influenced by his past successes, but this time, his vision did not resonate with audiences.
Another aspect contributing to the film’s failure is the high production budget. With $190 million spent, including hefty paychecks for Phoenix, Gaga, and Phillips, the film needed to perform much better to break even. Comparisons are already being drawn to previous box office flops like “Megalopolis” and “Furiosa,” both of which also failed to recoup their costs despite high expectations.
Industry experts are now debating whether the “Joker” character has lost its appeal or if the real issue lies in the creative direction of this particular sequel. Despite the poor reviews, some believe that audiences still enjoy R-rated comic book movies, as seen with the success of films like “Deadpool” and “Wolverine.” The problem, they argue, is that the film strayed too far from what made the original “Joker” such a cultural phenomenon.
One of the biggest criticisms from fans was the lack of action or suspense in the film. Many felt that the musical numbers were out of place and did not match the tone set by the original. The movie’s slower court drama scenes, particularly in comparison to the dynamic character arc of the first film, made it feel long and tedious. Some moviegoers even likened the film to a courtroom drama rather than the high-energy psychological thriller they were hoping for.
As of now, the film is tracking below other musical biopics like “A Star is Born” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which both had strong openings. While Lady Gaga’s fans were excited to see her in another high-profile role, her performance in “Joker: Folie à Deux” has not been enough to save the film from its poor reception.
Audience demographics also revealed that the film did not attract a wide variety of viewers. Men over 25 made up 41% of the audience, with women under 25 representing just 16%. These numbers suggest that the film struggled to appeal to younger audiences, many of whom likely expected something more fast-paced and action-oriented.
Despite its poor performance, Warner Bros. remains optimistic about future projects. However, the character of Joker may need to take a break from the big screen. After the backlash from this film, it’s clear that the creative direction for future films involving the character will need to be carefully reconsidered. Fans are calling for a return to the darker, grittier roots that made the original film a success.
For now, “Joker: Folie à Deux” serves as a reminder that even with star power, big budgets, and established franchises, a film’s success ultimately depends on meeting audience expectations.
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