Movie Goers ‘Want Their Money Back’ After Seeing Joker 2. Sequel Gets Panned With 39% On Rotten Tomatoes

The original Joker (2019) was a cultural phenomenon. A film that not only challenged societal norms but redefined what a comic book movie could be. Directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix as the iconic villain, it portrayed a haunting descent into madness. Earning Phoenix the Academy Award for Best Actor and grossing over $1 billion globally. It was praised for its dark, gritty realism, psychological depth, and nuanced exploration of mental illness. Naturally, when Joker 2: Folie à Deux was announced, fans were eager for another masterpiece. However, the sequel, which hit theaters on October 4, 2024, has fallen flat, leaving fans outraged and demanding refunds as it scored a mere 39% on Rotten Tomatoes. Many moviegoers are now questioning if the sequel should have ever been made.

Joker 2 – A Harsh Reception: Criticism from All Sides

Almost immediately after the release of Joker: Folie à Deux, audiences and critics began flooding social media with overwhelmingly negative reactions. Fans expressed their disappointment with brutal honesty. One X (formerly Twitter) user remarked, “Why is Joker 2 so bad? I’ve never wanted my money back from a film until now”. Another fan shared similar frustrations, describing the sequel as “the letdown of the year.” These sentiments were echoed by multiple reviewers who lamented that the film lacked the emotional and psychological complexity that made the original a critical and commercial success.

What was particularly striking about the negative reception was the sheer number of viewers demanding refunds after seeing the film. “I felt cheated,” one fan wrote in an online review, explaining how the film’s marketing had led him to expect a continuation of the original’s dark and introspective tone, not the musical numbers that dominated large portions of the sequel. For many, the film’s pivot to an almost musical-like structure was jarring and out of place.

Musical Elements and Harley Quinn: An Uneasy Combination

One of the most significant complaints from fans and critics alike was the unexpected shift in genre. While Joker (2019) was a dark psychological thriller, Joker: Folie à Deux incorporated musical numbers, with Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck and Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn breaking into song and dance at random intervals throughout the film. These elements, designed to add an avant-garde flair, left many fans feeling alienated. One viewer commented, “The music was just irritating. Save your money. I enjoy Broadway, but not for a Joker movie”​.

Even Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Harley Quinn, while generally well-received, wasn’t enough to salvage the film for most viewers. Her on-screen chemistry with Phoenix couldn’t overcome the disjointed nature of the musical sequences, which disrupted the film’s pacing and contributed to a lack of narrative cohesion. “It’s like they tried to blend a Broadway musical with a dark thriller, and it just doesn’t work,” said one disappointed fan. Gaga’s vocal performances, though powerful, were seen as unnecessary and detracted from the story’s flow.

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This Creative Decision by Todd Phillips Has Sparked Significant Debate

While some viewed the film’s musical elements as an experimental choice, many felt that they undermined the character-driven focus that made the original Joker so compelling. The tonal shift was too drastic for many viewers, leaving them confused about what kind of movie they were watching.

A “Pointless” Sequel Lacking Depth

In addition to the musical choices, fans have been critical of the film’s overall plot. Many have described Joker 2: Folie à Deux as a “pointless sequel” with little substance to justify its existence. “This film really destroys the importance and impact of the first one,” one viewer wrote. Expressing their disappointment that the sequel failed to add any new dimensions to Arthur Fleck’s character​. While the original film delved deep into the psyche of a man unraveling under the pressures of a cruel and uncaring society, the sequel, according to critics, lacks that same psychological depth.

Folie à Deux Relies Heavily on Spectacle

Instead of continuing the original film’s exploration of mental illness and societal breakdown, Folie à Deux relies heavily on spectacle, with elaborate musical numbers and surreal visuals taking precedence over character development. Many fans felt that the film missed an opportunity to further explore Arthur’s complex relationship with reality. “It’s a sequel we didn’t need, and it shows,” said one particularly frustrated fan​.

The film’s pacing was also a frequent source of complaint. Several fans noted that the movie dragged on, with long, drawn-out sequences that added little to the plot. “It was just boring. I kept waiting for something to happen, but it never did,” another viewer commented. This lack of tension and narrative urgency left many viewers disengaged, making the two-hour runtime feel even longer​.

Lady Gaga and Phoenix: The Lone Bright Spots on Joker 2

Despite the overwhelming negativity surrounding Joker: Folie à Deux, some fans did find solace in the performances of its lead actors. Joaquin Phoenix once again delivered a deeply committed portrayal of Arthur Fleck, while Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn was praised for bringing a unique energy to the character. However, even these strong performances couldn’t save the film from its broader flaws.

“I thought Lady Gaga did a great job, but the rest of the movie was a mess,” one fan admitted. Another echoed similar sentiments, saying, “Joaquin Phoenix is still incredible, but the film doesn’t do his talent justice. It’s like they wasted him on a script that had no direction”. For many, the chemistry between Phoenix and Gaga was one of the few highlights, with their on-screen relationship providing some of the film’s most engaging moments. However, these moments were too few and far between to redeem the overall experience.

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Fans Demand Refunds and a Director’s Cut

As dissatisfaction with Joker: Folie à Deux continues to grow, some fans have gone beyond expressing disappointment—they’re demanding action. Multiple posts across social media platforms called for refunds, with viewers insisting that the film’s marketing had misled them. “I feel like I was tricked into watching a musical,” one fan commented on a review site. This sense of betrayal has led some to start petitions for a director’s cut of the film, hoping that a different version might align more closely with their expectations.

These petitions, however, are unlikely to gain much traction, as Warner Bros. and Todd Phillips have made no indication that a director’s cut is in the works. Still, the sheer volume of complaints speaks to the level of disappointment felt by fans who had waited years for a sequel that many now wish had never been made.

The Future of the Joker Franchise

With such a polarizing reception, the future of the Joker franchise is uncertain. While the original film was a massive success both critically and financially, the sequel, Joker 2’s failure to resonate with audiences may have tarnished the legacy of the character as envisioned by Phillips and Phoenix. Whether or not Warner Bros. will attempt to continue the series in light of the backlash remains to be seen.

Despite the negative reviews, Joker: Folie à Deux could still develop a cult following over time. Some films that initially receive poor reception are later reevaluated by audiences and critics alike, gaining appreciation for their bold creative risks. However, as of now, the consensus remains largely negative, with many fans leaving theaters disappointed and confused.

Conclusion: A Sequel That Didn’t Meet Expectations

Joker 2: Folie à Deux had the potential to be a groundbreaking continuation of one of the most successful films of the last decade; however, with its confusing blend of musical numbers, lackluster plot, and uneven pacing. It failed to capture the same magic as its predecessor. While the performances of Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga were praised, they weren’t enough to overcome the film’s broader issues.

For many fans, Joker: Folie à Deux will go down as a major disappointment, with one viewer summing it up as “a mess of a film that should have never been made.” Whether the film will eventually be reassessed remains to be seen. But for now, it is a stark reminder that even highly anticipated sequels can miss the mark.

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