Joker: Folie à Deux, the highly anticipated sequel to Todd Phillips’ 2019 blockbuster Joker, premiered in U.S. theatres this weekend to a surprisingly muted reception, earning US$40 million, significantly less than the expected US$70 million. This marks a stark contrast to the original film’s record-breaking US$96.2 million opening.
The film’s reception cooled rapidly, plummeting to a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from an initial 63% from critics. Audience feedback mirrored this decline, with the film receiving a disappointing D CinemaScore (the lowest-ever for a comic book movie) and half a star in a PostTrak survey.
The sequel, which explores the further descent into madness of Arthur Fleck, now features Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn alongside Joaquin Phoenix, adding a musical element to the dark narrative. Despite the star power and elaborate musical numbers, the film has struggled to resonate with audiences and critics alike.
Produced on a budget reportedly between US$190 million and US$200 million, Joker: Folie à Deux has underperformed, raising concerns about its profitability. Internationally, it has garnered US$81.1 million, pushing its global earnings to approximately US$121.1 million. Though Joker: Folie à Deux still has openings in Japan and China to possibly boost its financial standing, the film’s underwhelming start is particularly disconcerting for theatres hoping to close the year strong.
In contrast, The Wild Robot from Universal and DreamWorks Animation secured the second spot at the box office, earning US$18.7 million domestically in its second weekend, pushing its global total past US$100 million.
The weekend also saw Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis struggle at the box office, receiving a D+ CinemaScore and garnering only US$4 million domestically in its debut.
While Joker: Folie à Deux incorporates innovative elements like song and dance routines, its divergence from traditional superhero narratives may have alienated fans. Despite the film’s challenges, it adds a distinct chapter to the Joker legacy, characterised by its audacious and genre-melding approach.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
