In a surprising box office stumble, the much-anticipated sequel to the 2019 hit “Joker” has fallen far short of expectations. “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the genre-blending musical drama directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, opened to a meager $40 million domestically, a far cry from the $96.2 million debut of the original film.
The dismal opening is a significant setback for the film, which carried a reported production budget of $190 million – more than triple the cost of the first “Joker.” With poor audience reviews, including a rare and devastating “D” grade from CinemaScore, the sequel faces an uphill battle to recoup its substantial investment.
Whereas the original “Joker” was a critical darling, earning 11 Oscar nominations, including a Best Actor win for Phoenix, the sequel has been panned by critics. The New York Times called it “a dour, unpleasant slog,” many have criticized the film’s narrative as thin and dull despite praise for the performances and technical craftsmanship.
The musical element, which reportedly came to Phoenix in a dream, appears to have been a significant disconnect with the typical fanboy audience, making the first “Joker” such a phenomenon. Instead of embracing the unconventional approach, moviegoers seemingly rejected the shift away from the gritty realism of the original.
“‘Joker’ was a well-made character study about a dark, sad figure. That story had limited potential to grow, and ‘Folie à Deux’ is not overcoming it,” film consultant David A. Gross observed in an email.
The dismal word-of-mouth has seriously affected Warner Bros.’ hopes for the sequel, which was positioned as a major awards season contender. With the studio now struggling to earn back its substantial investment, the future of the “Joker” franchise appears uncertain.
Ironically, the original “Joker” faced doubts and concerns before release, with many questioning whether audiences would embrace such a bleak, R-rated take on the iconic Batman villain. But the film defied expectations, becoming a global phenomenon and the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever.
The sequel’s failure to capture that same magic reminds us that lightning doesn’t always strike twice, even for acclaimed directors and A-list talent. In an era of sequelitis and franchise fatigue, audiences have become increasingly discerning, unwilling to accept more of the same without a compelling reason to return.
While the first “Joker” benefited from its singular vision and gritty realism, “Folie à Deux” appears to have strayed too far from the successful formula, alienating the core fanbase.
The disastrous debut of “Joker: Folie à Deux” is a sobering lesson for Hollywood studios, underscoring the importance of meeting audience expectations and delivering a cohesive, engaging narrative. As the industry navigates the ever-evolving landscape of moviegoing, this box office misfire is a cautionary tale about the risks of creative overreach and the fickle nature of consumer tastes.
With the film industry recovering from the pandemic’s impact, the pressure is on for “Joker: Folie à Deux” to find its footing and recoup its substantial investment. But if the audience has spoken and resoundingly rejected this latest chapter in the “Joker” saga, the franchise’s future may be in jeopardy.