The much-anticipated Joker: Folie À Deux has made its debut at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, and with the review embargo now lifted, critics are weighing in on Todd Phillips’ musical sequel.
While the original Joker (2019) stirred up controversy, this follow-up has sparked a mixed response, with some reviewers praising its choices, while others find it lacking compared to its predecessor.
Mixed Reactions to the Musical Sequel
The overall consensus leans positive, but it’s clear that Folie À Deux isn’t quite living up to the high expectations set by the first film. Critics agree that the film takes risks—particularly in its musical elements—but some are disappointed by a lack of compelling narrative.
The Hollywood Reporter notes, “For a movie running two-and-a-quarter hours, Folie à Deux feels narratively a little thin and at times dull.” Regarding Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Harley Quinn, they add, “Some will complain that Gaga is criminally underused in the movie,” though they acknowledge that her character has a full arc despite this.
Deadline calls the film a unique blend of genres: “With song, dance, comedy, darkness, animation, drama, violence, and more, this is a musical, if it even is a musical, like no other.”
Meanwhile, The Wrap describes it as “the most interesting film about Arthur Fleck,” highlighting its daring and challenging nature.
However, not all critics were impressed. Variety criticizes the film for being “ambitious and superficially outrageous, but in a basic way, it’s an overly cautious sequel.”
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Praise for Bold Choices
Some outlets are more enthusiastic about the film’s creative risks. Empire awards Joker: Folie À Deux 4 stars, calling it “as sweet and beguiling a musical romance as it’s possible to have between two murderous psychopaths.” They praise its “kooky” approach, which may not appeal to all comic-book fans, but finds “a strange, tragic hopefulness.”
Similarly, Discussing Film also gives it 4 stars, applauding the film for taking bold risks and leaving audiences with plenty to speculate about.
Critical Disappointments
On the other hand, IGN was less impressed, awarding the film 5/10 and lamenting its failure to live up to its potential. “Despite the best efforts of Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, and an opening hour set in Arkham Asylum, Joker: Folie à Deux wastes its potential as a movie musical, a courtroom drama, and a sequel that has anything meaningful to say about or add to the first Joker.”
The Guardian gives the film 3 stars, noting an improvement over the original but calling it “strident, laborious, and often flat-out tedious.”
The Independent, however, is more favorable, awarding an additional star and calling the sequel an “ingenious and deeply unsettling film.”
Finally, IndieWire delivers one of the harshest verdicts, giving it a C- and arguing that the film’s mix of unexpected cameos, mournful cello solos, and implied violence creates a dissonant experience that’s hard to appreciate.
With a month left until its October 4 release, the film’s unique mix of musical elements and psychological drama will continue to be a talking point as audiences prepare to see it for themselves.
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