AfterJokerwas a smash hit in 2019 that set the record (at the time) for the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever and sawJoaquin Phoenixwin an Oscar for his performance in the film, both anticipation and expectations forJoker: Folie à Deuxwere through the roof. However, it didn’t take long for the word aboutJoker 2to spread like wildfire, and things are shaping up to be a disaster for the sequel.Joker: Folie à Deuxhas officially accomplished the rare feat of its Rotten Tomatoes, Cinemascore, and box office performances all being significantly worse than the original. Box office is usually what prevents this from happening more often, as sequels often earn more than successful originals, even with lower review scores.
Joker: Folie à Deuxcurrently sits at a 33% score from critics and a 31% rating from general audiences onRotten Tomatoes, while the originalJoker(2019) boasts much higher scores of 68% and 89% from critics and audiences, respectively, on theaggregate site. As forCinemascore, which is considered one of the biggest industry measuring sticks for general audience’s approval for a movie alongside Rotten Tomatoes,Joker 2earned an abysmal D rating, which is the lowest grade ever for a comic book movie and compares to a B+ from the originalJoker. The final measuring stick, the box office opening weekend, was also a major failure forJoker: Folie à Deuxwhen compared toJoker.The sequel finished its opening weekend with $40 million domestically, which is less than half ofJoker’s $96 million domestic opening.Joker 2reportedly needs $450 million just to break even for Warner Bros.; a tough ask, as the film currently sits at only $121 million.
What Is ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ About?
Joker: Folie à Deuxpicks up two years afterJokerand sees Arthur Fleck (Phoenix) in Arkham Asylum. Everything change for Arthur when he meets Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga), who convinces him to embrace his alter ego of Joker instead of subduing it. The two bring out the worst in each other while Arthur goes to trial for everyone he murdered in the first film. Everything changes when Arthur agrees with his lawyer (Catherine Keener) to accept help and bury his alter ego for good, which leaves Harley Quinn uninterested and sends Arthur into a spiral.
Joker: Folie à Deuxis now playing in theaters everywhere. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates and coverage and find tickets below for a showtime near you.
Joker: Folie a Deux
Joker: Folie à Deux explores Arthur Fleck’s ongoing struggle with his dual identity as he unexpectedly discovers love and unleashes his hidden musical talent. Set against a backdrop of societal unrest, Arthur’s journey intertwines personal transformation with chaotic encounters, leading to profound shifts in his life and the world around him.
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