Overview of Joker: Madness for Two
- Joker: Folie à Deux is building momentum as awards season approaches, despite facing initial skepticism.
- The film struggled at the box office yet is poised for potential Oscar nominations.
- Outstanding performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga are being recognized by critics.
Following the unprecedented acclaim and commercial triumph of Joker in 2019, the sequel Joker: Folie à Deux encountered significant challenges, resulting in a mixed reception from both audiences and critics. While the follow-up was met with harsh criticism, the film did receive praise for the remarkable talents of its leading actors, Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. As the awards season draws near, there are signs that this much-criticized sequel might receive some noteworthy recognition.
The original Joker, directed by Todd Phillips, became a monumental success, capturing major accolades such as the prestigious top award at the Venice Film Festival and two Academy Awards. Joaquin Phoenix won Best Actor, and Hildur Guðnadóttir took home Best Score. With a remarkable box office total exceeding one billion dollars, it became the highest-grossing R-rated film of its time and left an indelible mark on popular culture. Originally intended as a standalone project, the immense success of the first film inspired Phillips and co-writer Scott Silver to explore a sequel that incorporates musical elements—an idea sparked by a dream experienced by Phoenix himself.
Set five years after the release of the original, Joker: Folie à Deux came with a substantial production budget of $200 million. However, the sequel failed to generate profit, grossing only $206 million worldwide. The film’s lackluster performance led to it being panned by audiences and critics alike, diminishing its potential to resonate with viewers as deeply as its predecessor. Nevertheless, recent developments regarding potential awards recognition may reposition the film in a more favorable light.
On December 17th, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the shortlists for ten categories leading up to the 97th Academy Awards, of which Joker: Folie à Deux was shortlisted for the Sound category alongside the popular films Deadpool and Wolverine. From this shortlist, five films will be nominated pending votes from the Sound Branch, with final nominations set to be announced on January 17th.
This announcement follows the film’s availability on Max, occurring only two months post its theatrical release. The sequel debuted to disappointing reviews and opened with just $37 million domestically on its opening weekend, significantly lower than anticipated projections. In a stark contrast to the original film’s reception, which earned a ‘B+’ grade, Joker: Folie à Deux received a dismal ‘D’ rating from CinemaScore, marking a historic low for a comic book film. The sequel also faced a staggering 81% drop in box office earnings in its second weekend, the steepest fall for any DC character film. Despite this, notable figures such as Hideo Kojima and Quentin Tarantino have publicly shown admiration for its thematic depth.
Although Joker: Folie à Deux has had a rocky journey at the box office, there remains hope for a turnaround with a potential Oscar nomination. If the film does secure a nomination and wins, it would not be the first time a DC film with mixed reviews achieved success at the Academy Awards; the critically maligned Suicide Squad won an Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling in 2016.
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