Venice: Despite standing ovation, 'Joker 2' receives negative reviews
The highly anticipated musical psychological thriller, Joker: Folie à Deux, directed by Todd Phillips, was met with an astounding 11-minute standing ovation at the 81st Venice International Film Festival. The film features Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in lead roles. Despite this warm reception, early reviews of the film have been mixed, with some critics bashing it for not living up to the sequel.
Audience's ecstatic response after the screening
Phoenix, Gaga, and Phillips were greeted with thunderous applause from the audience at Sala Grande. During the ovation, fans repeatedly chanted "Ga-ga, Ga-ga, Ga-ga!" and expressed their love for Gaga. The actor-singer responded by thanking her fans and blowing kisses to them. In a stunning gown, she continued signing autographs even as she descended the stairs from her balcony seat after the film's screening.
Mixed reviews followed soon after
Despite the enthusiastic audience response, the film has received mixed reviews from critics. The Guardian criticized Phoenix's performance as being "as single-note as before," while Indie Wire labeled it "boring, flat, and such a criminal waste of Lady Gaga that we should demand a public hearing." Variety also expressed disappointment, calling it an "overly cautious sequel." Vanity Fair wrote, "Todd Phillips's grim sequel plays as a middle finger to anyone who sought something meaningful in his saga."
'Joker: Folie à Deux' continues the legacy of 'Joker'
The original Joker film was a critical and commercial success, earning 11 Oscar nominations. Phoenix reprises his role as Joker in this sequel, with Gaga joining the cast as Harley Quinn. The supporting cast includes Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey. Zazie Beetz also returns from the first film as Sophie. The film will be released in India on October 2.
