Joaquin-Lady Gaga's 'Joker 2' is among the lowest-rated DC movies
The musical psychological thriller Joker: Folie a Deux, featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, has received mixed reviews from audiences and critics alike. The film, which premiered on Friday, has seen a steady decline in its Rotten Tomatoes ratings. Currently, it holds a 39% score on the American review-aggregation website for film and television. This places it just below Justice League (2017) which scored 40% despite significant backlash.
Critics consensus and box office performance concerns
The Critics Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes stated, "Joaquin Phoenix's eponymous Joker takes the stand in a sequel that dances around while the story remains still, although Lady Gaga's wildcard energy gives Folie a Deux some verve." Despite praise for Phoenix and Gaga's performances, critics have criticized the film's storytelling style. The plot and pacing have failed to impress most audiences, leading to concerns about its box office performance.
'Joker: Folie a Deux' faces box office uncertainty
The success of Joker: Folie a Deux is currently uncertain as it is yet to be released in many North American theaters. Fans and industry experts are eager to see if the film can recover from its shaky start and connect with a wider audience. The film's box office performance could be influenced by its rating, especially as it aims to reach the $1B benchmark set by Joker in 2019.
Plot and criticism of 'Joker: Folie a Deux'
The film's plot centers around Arthur Fleck (Phoenix), now in Arkham Asylum after the events of Joker (2019). He becomes infamous in the hospital after shooting talk show host Murray Franklin on live TV. Another inmate, Lee Quinzel (Gaga), falls for him, and their romance begins as Arthur is put on trial for Franklin's murder. Critics argue that this premise is not explored to its full potential.
