While the original Joker film drew inspiration from several Martin Scorsese movies, it was widely acclaimed by critics and won Oscars for Best Actor and Best Original Score. The film also grossed over $1 billion (£764 million) at the box office, leading many to believe that a sequel featuring Lady Gaga would be a guaranteed success. However, Joker: Folie à Deux has faced significant backlash from both critics and audiences.
Currently, the film holds a disappointing 33 percent approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with audience ratings reflecting a similar sentiment. Some viewers have even reported walking out of screenings midway through, citing the film’s numerous musical numbers as a major point of dissatisfaction.
Director Todd Phillips has indicated that he plans to step away from DC films following this sequel. Reports suggest that the film suffered a significant financial blow, losing approximately $70 million (£53 million) after a disappointing opening weekend, diminishing the likelihood of a third installment. In fact, some review sites have rated Folie à Deux lower than Madame Web, earning a CinemaScore of D compared to the Spider-Man spin-off’s C+ .
