The highly anticipated sequel, Joker: Folie À Deux, is stumbling at the box office with a disappointing opening weekend in the U.S. Early reports from The Hollywood Reporter indicate that the film is projected to earn between $40 million and $47 million, starkly lower than initial forecasts of $70 million. This figure pales in comparison to the $96.2 million opening of the first Joker in 2019, which went on to surpass $1 billion globally.
‘JOKER 2’ actually ended up earning less than ‘MORBIUS’ in the film’s domestic opening weekend.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 7, 2024
Read our review: https://t.co/FmG6BLFnor pic.twitter.com/SNWM03OXa3
Adding to the woes, the sequel’s production costs soar close to $200 million, nearly quadruple that of its predecessor. The financial strain is coupled with a dismal “D” rating from audience survey firm CinemaScore, marking the first Hollywood comic book film to receive such a low score. This poor reception is mirrored by viewer complaints on social media, with some walking out of screenings and venting frustration.
@optimalik Review at the end 🙌🏼 #joker ♬ original sound – Optimalik
@3cfilms Joker 2 Review
♬ original sound – 3C Films
The film’s jarring tonal shifts, particularly from dark confessions to upbeat musical numbers, have sparked social media users to mock these sequences and create memes imagining other unlikely musical performances. Despite its box-office struggle, the film is gaining attention online, providing some amusement through its social media parodies.
Joker: I’m going to kill myself
— Ꮆ.u.Ꮍ. | World On A String 🛟 (@dollopgaga) October 6, 2024
Harley: pic.twitter.com/8GzJmAjRtX
Joker: I’m going to kill myself
— Monopoly Phonic® (@MonopolyPhonic) October 5, 2024
Harley Quinn: pic.twitter.com/w8qvHDyHkd
Critical reception hasn’t been kind either, with Metacritic placing the film at a score of 45. Reviews label the sequel as a sluggish and directionless blend of musical and courtroom drama. The San Francisco Chronicle criticizes its lack of creativity, while The New York Times describes it as a joyless effort. Amidst these challenges, a viral social media interaction shows stars Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix awkwardly sidestepping questions about the final product, hinting at possible discontent with the outcome.
