Fans are sharing their strong reactions to Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix’s performances in “Joker: Folie à Deux.”
The movie, which hit theaters on Oct. 4, is a follow up to 2019’s “Joker,” which centered on failed clown Arthur Fleck’s descent into madness as he becomes the eccentric and dangerous persona of the Joker.
“Joker: Folie à Deux” follows Arthur as he awaits trial for his crimes as the Joker and falls in love with Harleen “Lee” Quinzel, AKA Harley Quinn, an equally disturbed patient played by Grammy Award winner Lady Gaga.
On “Rotten Tomatoes,” the film received a 33% rating from 238 critics and a staggering 31% audience score.
So why are so many critics and fans panning “Joker: Folie à Deux” after the first film, the “Joker” received widespread critical acclaim and won Joaquin Phoenix an Oscar?
On X, some appeared to be frustrated with it being a musical, while others questioned why Lady Gaga, a 13-time Grammy-winning artist, was involved in the film.
“Me after watching Joker 2. They just wanted Lady Gaga to sing. The film had no plot, just vibes. I want my 3 hours back #JokerMovie,” one person wrote alongside a gif of a man pointing a deadly weapon at himself and also at the audience.
“I been going around saying lady gaga about to get another Oscar only to see nothing but terrible reviews about joker 2 :/ I usually don’t trust these critics but it’s getting bad,” someone wrote online.
Another said they just “hated” it being a musical.
“i really liked the first movie (i’ve watched it like 4 times?¿) and the amount of wasted potential with the second movie! i hated that they made it a musical,” the person wrote.
Some shared clips and photos from the film to express their disappointment.
“Mfs before watching Joker 2 and After watching Joker 2,” a person wrote, sharing clips from the film which showed Arthur dancing while going down the stairs and another where he walks up them in a depressive fashion.
Another viewer shared a photo of Arthur smiling while wearing the Joker makeup on his face, and said, “Joaquin Phoenix was not the joker, the real joker was me who decided to watch this 🤡.”
While some fans felt “Joker: Folie à Deux” wasn’t the best follow up to “Joker,” some did appear to enjoy the film and Gaga’s performance.
“Despite the storyline, Lady Gaga’s acting in Joker 2 was f—ing incredible. Give her her 10s, shower her in flowers and gold. Cause baby she was in character and I was SOLD 10/10. ILY BB,” someone said.
An X user added, “Lady gaga steals the spotlight with a hauntingly brilliant performance in Joker 2 #JokerMovie.”
“There is A LOT of singing, that in some parts I would have cut, but Gagais magnificent, she is extraordinarily talented,” another fan wrote. “Her voice is sublime. The ending is a bit unexpected, it happened all at once.”
