Joker 2: Mixed Reviews After Venice Film Festival Premiere

The critical response to Joker: Folie à Deux, featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, has been mixed, with some praising its boldness while others found it lacking in excitement. Described by some as both "bleak and daring," others have called it "dull and plodding." Directed and co-written by Todd Phillips, the sequel debuted at the Venice Film Festival, where Geoffrey Macnab of The Independent called it "as bleak and daring as the original."

However, IndieWire's David Ehrlich had a much less favourable view, stating that the film "feels bad on purpose" and lamenting that it was "boring, flat, and a criminal waste of Lady Gaga's talent, deserving a public hearing."

A Continuation of Divisive Opinions

The reception of Folie à Deux mirrors that of the original Joker film, which divided critics upon its 2019 release. While Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Arthur Fleck won him an Oscar, and the film took home the prestigious Golden Lion at Venice, opinions on the film’s merit varied. It became the first R-rated movie to surpass the $1 billion mark at the global box office, a testament to its impact despite the contrasting reviews.

In the sequel, Lady Gaga portrays Harley Quinn, the Joker's romantic partner, and sings alongside Phoenix, who reprises his role as the troubled Arthur Fleck. Gaga, who attended the premiere with her fiancé, Michael Polansky, explained her decision to join the film, expressing that she wanted to offer viewers an escape and a chance to "feel good about life." In an interview with Vogue, she shared that her personal experiences with mania and chaos helped her shape her portrayal of Harley Quinn.

A Polarizing Musical Adventure

Much of the film's criticism centres around its musical elements, which critics found either refreshing or a misstep. Ehrlich remarked that director Todd Phillips seemed uninterested in delivering visually captivating musical sequences. He pointed out that the musical numbers felt "pared down into dull cabaret arrangements" and were shot against a "black void of imagination."

In contrast, Macnab awarded the film four stars, noting the standout performances from a "stirring, emaciated Joaquin Phoenix" and an "appealingly cruel and feline" Lady Gaga. He praised Phillips for his creativity, as the film shifted between various genres, from animated segments inspired by Looney Tunes to a prison drama, musical, and even a courtroom scene. Macnab acknowledged that while the lines between fantasy and reality are intentionally blurred, the movie remains "edgy and disturbing" like its predecessor.