‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Premiered in Venice and We Have the First Critics’ Reactions!

As a seasoned gamer and cinephile with over three decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen more than a fair share of sequels that failed to meet expectations. The anticipation for Joker: Folie à Deux was high, but initial reviews from Venice have left me feeling less than enthused.


The highly-anticipated sequel and film of this year, titled “Joker: Duo Madness“, will be gracing cinemas on October 4, 2024. However, the movie has already had its world premiere in Venice, and the buzz surrounding its upcoming release is palpable once again!

In this latest project, Todd Phillips resumes his directorial duties and penned the script alongside others, with Joaquin Phoenix once again stepping into the character he portrayed so powerfully in the earlier film that garnered two Oscars (Best Actor for Phoenix himself, as well as Best Original Score). In a notable addition, Lady Gaga will share screen time with him. However, it’s important to note that early reviews suggest the movie might not live up to expectations if these initial reactions are any indication

Based on the early reviews from critics who’ve seen the film at Venice, it appears that the movie may not achieve the same level of success as its predecessor. However, keep in mind that these are initial opinions, so as more reviews roll in over the coming weeks, we’ll get a better picture of the film’s overall reception

Previously mentioned, Joaquin Phoenix is set to reprise his award-winning character, while sharing the screen with Lady Gaga, who plays Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn – a renowned DC Comics figure. Additionally, Zazie Beetz will also return as Sophie Dumond. The film will feature new additions like Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, Steve Coogan, Ken Leung, and Harry Lawtey in undisclosed roles. Leigh Gill and Sharon Washington are returning to their roles as the social workers for Gary and Arthur

Some time has passed since we watched the trailer, and now we’re eager to find out what professionals who’ve already viewed the film think about it. Here are their initial impressions:

Joker: Folie à Deux is primarily about Arthur, but unfortunately, I find him less captivating than one might expect, even with the exceptional performance by Phoenix, who skillfully portrays the character’s tormented emotional state and physically emaciated appearance

– Alison Willmore, New York Magazine/Vulture

Despite being criticized for its harshness, monotonous nature, and at times, dullness – similar to the initial movie – there’s a noticeable enhancement in this sequel

– Peter Bradshaw, Guardian

In the spirit of keeping things simple yet effective, I’d like to suggest the term “Sequel” as it is a follow-up or successor to something that has already been presented or introduced. The term “Paraphrasing” in this context can be used to refer to the act of rephrasing or rewording something in a simple and easily understood manner, while preserving its original essence. So, if we were to use “Sequel” for the word “Paraphrasing”, it would read as: “Parasitic Sequel” or “Derivative Sequel”. This term is more descriptive of the actual process and outcome, yet remains easily comprehensible

– Owen Gleiberman, Variety

In simpler terms, “Gaga” refers to a play on words used in statistical analysis when comparing the actual and expected values of a distribution. It is a humorous way to describe a situation or object that shares characteristics with another, yet remains distinct in some aspects. When we say “Gaga” in this context, it means something has similarities to another, but also has unique qualities that set it apart. In the context of live-streaming, “Gaga” was used humorously to describe the viral potential of a popular online platform

– David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter

In essence, Folie à Deux predominantly performs tap dance without much energy throughout most of its lethargic duration, weaving together a sequence of unremarkable songs that are either overly obvious or too loosely connected to the characters, failing to convey any meaningful emotion

– David Ehrlich, IndieWire

In this hypothetical scenario, let’s imagine a new form of entertainment has emerged, one that is based on the real world but also bears no resemblance to it. Instead of traditional plots and characters, it features self-contained individuals who have their worldly belongings scattered across a vast area, creating an impression of emptiness or lifelessness. However, they’ve managed to create something, which is reminiscent of a film but also unlike any existing work of fiction. This innovative form of storytelling has been termed as “Paraphrased Film” or “Paraphrased Novel.”

– Kevin Maher, Times

It’s startlingly dull, a pointless procedural that seems to disdain its audience.

– Richard Lawson, Vanity Fair

The initial film faced critical reviews, yet it gained popularity. Similar is the case for this sequel, as it garnered less praise than its predecessor, but time will decide its fate. When globally released, we’ll observe its impact

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2024-09-05 16:14