When Todd Phillips’ Joker was released in 2019, the DC film about the Batman villain sparked a global phenomenon. In addition to the impressive box office gross of over $1 billion worldwide, the film sparked heated discussions about its supposed potential to glorify violence.
Five years later, the sequel Joker 2: Folie à deux is now in the starting blocks. The sequel will be in cinemas from October 3, 2024which comes as a musical with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. The first reviews after the world premiere were again mixed.
What is the DC sequel Joker 2 with Lady Gaga about?
The plot of the sequel follows on from the finale of the first part and revolves around Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), who is now in Arkham’s psychiatric ward. Here he develops a relationship with his fellow inmate Harleen Quinzel (Lady Gaga), which reaches dangerous proportions. In one Court case Arthur should finally be held accountable for his actions in Joker.
Check out a German trailer for Joker 2 here:
Joker 2: Folie à deux – Trailer 2 (German) HD
Reviews of Joker 2: Folie à deux are divided
The DC sequel currently has a mixed average of 63 percent on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. In his negative Vanity Fair review, Richard Lawson writes, among other things:
Phillips essentially banished us to two places: the asylum and the courthouse. Very little happens outside these walls, reducing the film to a cramped psychological drama. He is astonishingly boring, a pointless procedurewhich seems to despise its audience.
Moviepilot editor-in-chief Jenny Jecke was also present at the Joker 2: Folie à deux premiere as part of this year’s Venice Film Festival. In addition to praise for Lady Gaga, her verdict is mixed:
However, one basic problem with the predecessor remains and cannot be easily wiped away. Neither the script nor the craftsmanship can fully meet the demands. The musical sequences are beautifully presented, but are captured relatively sluggishly and statically. This looks good in trailers, but sometimes brings the film to a halt.
What the Joker means to Gotham City and Leemeanwhile, remains underdeveloped in the script. Here the film adds little to the original, beyond an undefined hatred of the ones up there goes out. In short: Joker 2: Folie à deux is a good film about Arthur Fleck, but a bad film about the Joker.
From then on October 3rd You can form your own opinion about the DC sequel with Joker 2 in the cinema. The musical concept alone is likely to divide reactions again.