Joker: Folie a Deux - How One Movie Destroyed an Entire Fanbase

Summary

The new Joker movie, a sequel to the acclaimed original, is considered a major cinematic disappointment. The first Joker was praised for its portrayal of mental illness and societal alienation, but the sequel strips away much of what made the original impactful. With a confusing direction, including its decision to be a musical, the film alienated fans and critics alike. Despite strong performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the film lacks depth and fails to capture the magic of the first, making it feel like an unnecessary follow-up driven by commercial interests.

Takeaways

• 😲 The sequel to the Oscar-winning Joker movie has been widely criticized as a boring, unnecessary, and poorly executed film.
• 😕 Despite the massive success of the original, there was uncertainty from the start about whether a sequel was needed or could live up to expectations.
• 😢 The sequel removed nearly everything that people loved about the original film, which led to its widespread disappointment.
• 🤯 The first Joker movie, starring Joaquin Phoenix, explored important societal themes like mental illness, alienation, and societal neglect, which resonated with audiences worldwide.
• 🎭 Joaquin Phoenix's performance in the first film was highly praised, particularly for its physical intensity and emotional depth, helping to create a captivating character.
• 🎶 The choice to make the Joker sequel a musical, featuring Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, was seen as a risky and confusing decision that didn't appeal to the original fanbase.
• 🧐 The movie's musical elements didn't seem to fit with the tone of the first film, leaving both critics and audiences feeling uncertain about its direction.
• 💸 The sequel was perceived as more of a cash grab than an artistic continuation, with both Phoenix and the director Todd Phillips initially hesitant to make it.
• 👎 The sequel has received largely negative reviews from critics and audiences, with some calling it a 'chore to sit through' and failing to recapture the magic of the original.
• 😔 Many feel that the sequel undermines the original film’s legacy by reframing characters and themes, leading to a sense that the film had no reason to exist apart from financial gain.

Q & A

What made the original Joker movie so successful?

The original Joker movie was successful due to its raw portrayal of mental illness, societal alienation, and its gritty, realistic tone. Joaquin Phoenix's powerful performance, which was emotionally and physically intense, along with the film's atmosphere reminiscent of 'Taxi Driver,' resonated deeply with audiences. Its focus on deeper themes of mental illness and social isolation made it stand out, and it became one of the best movies of the decade.

Why was a sequel to Joker considered unnecessary by some people?

Many considered a Joker sequel unnecessary because the original film was a self-contained story. It sent a powerful message and tied up the character arc of Arthur Fleck becoming the Joker. Even Todd Phillips, the director, and Joaquin Phoenix, the lead actor, initially expressed doubts about whether a sequel could authentically build upon the first film's themes and story.

What was one of the major risks taken with the Joker sequel?

One of the major risks with the Joker sequel was its decision to make the movie a musical, which was a significant departure from the gritty tone of the original film. The first movie appealed to audiences through its realism and dark themes, so transitioning into a musical format raised concerns about how it would be received, especially by fans of the original.

How did Lady Gaga’s role in the sequel impact the film's expectations?

Lady Gaga’s involvement in the sequel, with speculation about her playing Harley Quinn, heightened expectations. Her prominent place in the marketing suggested she would play a significant role. However, this was met with mixed reactions, as some worried that the film's tone would shift too drastically from the original.

Why did critics and fans have mixed opinions about the sequel before its release?

Critics and fans had mixed opinions due to the uncertainty surrounding the film’s genre and direction. The choice to make it a musical, combined with fears that it wouldn’t match the tone or thematic depth of the first film, made people question whether the sequel could live up to the original. Initial reviews indicated that the film was divisive, with some praising the performances but others criticizing its slow pacing and lack of a clear purpose.

What were some of the standout criticisms of the Joker sequel after its release?

After its release, the Joker sequel was heavily criticized for being slow, directionless, and lacking the tension that defined the original. Reviewers pointed out that it failed to progress the story meaningfully and abandoned many of the themes that made the first film impactful. Additionally, Lady Gaga's portrayal of Harley Quinn was seen as underdeveloped, and the film’s musical elements didn’t resonate with audiences.

What elements of the Joker sequel did fans find disappointing compared to the original?

Fans found the Joker sequel disappointing because it lacked the societal themes and character depth that made the original a success. The sequel reframed the Joker character in a way that felt disconnected from the tension and impact of the first film, and many of the subtexts about mental illness and societal alienation were removed. The shift to a musical format also contributed to the film feeling slow and disjointed.

What was the original intention behind the first Joker film according to the creators?

According to director Todd Phillips and actor Joaquin Phoenix, the original intention behind the first Joker film was to create a standalone story. There was no plan to turn it into a series or franchise. The creators wanted the movie to explore themes of mental illness and societal alienation in a way that would resonate with audiences, and they considered the story complete by the end of the first film.

How did the Joker sequel perform with critics and audiences compared to the original?

The Joker sequel performed poorly with critics and audiences compared to the original. While the first movie was highly praised and earned multiple awards, including two Oscars, the sequel received a Rotten Tomatoes score of 45% from critics and even lower audience ratings. It was criticized for being boring and unnecessary, and its momentum quickly faded after release.

Why is it suggested that the Joker sequel was made despite initial resistance from the creators?

The sequel is suggested to have been made primarily for financial reasons, despite initial resistance from the creators. The first Joker film was incredibly profitable, earning over $500 million in profits, making it inevitable that Warner Bros. would push for more. Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix had expressed that they didn’t initially want to make a sequel, but the lure of significant payouts and a large budget likely played a role in moving forward with the project.