When ‘Joker’ faced criticism despite a star-studded cast

A sequel born from oscar-winning origins

Following Joker’s massive critical and commercial success (2019), expectations for its sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, were sky-high. The original film, led by Joaquin Phoenix’s haunting performance, won two Academy Awards and grossed over $1 billion. 

The sequel promised to expand Arthur Fleck’s world with a bold musical approach and an A-list cast, making its disappointing reception all the more striking.

An unexpected musical turn

One of the most surprising decisions made by director Todd Phillips was transforming Folie à Deux into a part-musical. The genre-blending was meant to reflect Fleck’s unstable mental state and hallucinations. 

The musical interludes felt disconnected to many. Instead of enriching the narrative, critics found the musical numbers jarring and poorly integrated, leaving audiences more confused than captivated.

Joaquin Phoenix returns but with diminished impact

Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as Arthur Fleck, but his performance didn’t strike the same emotional chord this time. While Phoenix remains committed and intense, the sequel fails to offer new emotional ground for him to explore. 

Critics noted a lack of character development and freshness in his portrayal, suggesting that the novelty of Fleck’s descent into madness had already peaked in the first film.

Lady Gaga’s debut as Lee Quinzel

Lady Gaga plays Lee Quinzel, a character inspired by Harley Quinn but not a direct adaptation. Despite her vocal prowess and prior acting accolades, Gaga’s performance felt constrained by limited screen time and underwritten dialogue. 

Many critics agreed that her potential was wasted, as her chemistry with Phoenix didn’t match the emotional intensity or complexity the film tried to evoke.

Mixed-to-negative critical reception

Critically, Joker: Folie à Deux fell flat. It currently holds a 31–32% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a steep drop from the original’s 68% critic score. Reviewers described it as “bleak,” “self-indulgent,” and “difficult to sit through.” 

The criticism centered around its narrative confusion, overuse of musical segments, and perceived lack of respect for the audience’s intelligence.

Opening weekend falls below expectations

Despite its pedigree and high anticipation, the film opened to only $40 million domestically, less than half the original’s $96 million debut. Given its $200 million production budget, the opening weekend was considered underwhelming. 

Analysts attributed the low turnout to poor critical reviews, divided fan reception, and the film’s unconventional genre choices that alienated mainstream viewers.

Underwhelming global box office returns

Internationally, Folie à Deux grossed around $200 million, barely covering production costs, before accounting for marketing expenses. This flat performance positions it far from the billion-dollar club its predecessor joined. 

The sequel’s inability to generate strong global appeal underscores the risks of drastically shifting tone and format between series. This result poses a threat to the future production of the movie.

A confusing, disjointed narrative

Critics found the story structure erratic and lacking clarity. Instead of deepening Arthur Fleck’s internal struggles, the film leans heavily into surrealism without grounding its characters. Scenes jump between reality and musical hallucinations without proper transitions. 

These shifts make the plot hard to follow. This lack of cohesion left many viewers emotionally disengaged and narratively lost.

Musical numbers miss the mark

Although the musical format was meant to be bold and artistic, many viewers found it irritating or unnecessary. Songs felt randomly inserted and often stalled the plot instead of advancing it. 

One reviewer noted the music as “incessant and increasingly annoying,” which became a distraction rather than a feature. Even Lady Gaga’s strong vocals couldn’t rescue the numbers from their weak context.

Direction lacked the original’s grit

Todd Phillips took significant risks in crafting a more experimental sequel. However, the grounded grittiness that defined the original was missing. This shift left some fans confused and alienated. 

Critics described the sequel’s tone as “incoherent,” swinging between tragedy and spectacle without meaningful payoff. It felt more like a stylistic exercise than a continuation of a powerful story.

Supporting cast fails to stand out

Despite the presence of capable actors in supporting roles, none were given enough material to make a lasting impact. The film focuses so heavily on Phoenix and Gaga that other characters are only a background. 

This focus narrowed the narrative scope and limited opportunities for richer world-building or deeper thematic resonance, making the film feel strangely empty despite its extended runtime.

A franchise that may have run its course

The lackluster performance of Folie à Deux raises doubts about the viability of extending the Joker universe. While the original worked as a standalone character study, the sequel’s attempt to build a franchise around Arthur Fleck feels forced. 

With its critical and commercial failures, Warner Bros. may now be cautious about greenlighting further character-driven spinoffs in the same vein.

Audience reactions

Online forums and fan discussions show a deeply divided audience. Some praised the film’s ambition and stylistic risks, while others were frustrated by its pacing and lack of emotional payoff. 

Many longtime original fans felt the sequel betrayed its grounded tone in favor of forced surrealism. It has become one of the most polarizing comic-based films in recent memory.

Marketing didn’t match the final product

The film’s promotional materials leaned heavily into the Joker’s madness and the promise of a twisted romance, but they didn’t hint at the heavy musical content. 

This mismatch led to misleading expectations. Many viewers walked in expecting psychological drama but were met with stylized song sequences that were confusing and disappointing for some.

Too much style, not enough substance

While Folie à Deux is visually striking in parts, its reliance on aesthetic choices couldn’t mask a weak script. Symbolism and surreal visuals replaced story arcs and emotional beats. 

Audiences who praised the raw authenticity of the first film were put off by this sequel’s theatrical flair and lack of grounded realism.

Since we are talking about disappointing responses, here are some famous stars’ biggest flops since the 2000s.

A risk that didn’t pay off

Joker: Folie à Deux was undeniably bold in its creative risks, but boldness doesn’t always equate to brilliance. Despite its star-studded cast and massive budget, the film ultimately faltered in delivering a cohesive, compelling experience. 

With lukewarm box office numbers and critical disapproval, it is a cautionary tale about what happens when sequels stray too far from what made the original resonate.

Get ready for the thrill and check out these must-see upcoming Hollywood live-action movies that you won’t want to miss.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.