Overview

In a shocking revelation, legendary filmmaker Paul Schrader made headlines after attending Joker: Folie à Deux, the much-anticipated sequel to the 2019 blockbuster. The movie, featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, has suffered a staggering box office blow and is projected to incur losses between $150 million and $200 million.

Schrader's Critique

During an interview with Jeremy O. Harris for Interview magazine, Schrader candidly admitted, "I saw about 10 or 15 minutes of it. I left, bought something, came back, saw another 10 minutes. That was enough."

Schrader, known for his iconic works like Taxi Driver, which notably inspired the original Joker, was less than impressed by the new installment, labeling it "a really bad musical." His scathing critique extended to the stars themselves: "I don’t like either of those people," he said about Gaga and Phoenix. "I don’t like them as actors. I don’t like them as characters. I don’t like the whole thing. I mean, those are people who, if they came to your house, you’d slip out the back door."

Box Office Performance

The initial excitement for Joker: Folie à Deux was palpable, especially following the monumental success of its predecessor, which earned over $1 billion globally and secured Phoenix an Oscar for Best Actor. However, the sequel faced a harsh reception following its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, leading to a disappointing domestic opening of just $37 million.

According to Variety, the film is expected to finish its theatrical run with only about $210 million worldwide, a stark contrast to the inaugural Joker's impressive $248.4 million gross within its first three days.

Critical Reception

Critics have voiced their concerns, with Variety’s Owen Gleiberman writing, "The concept is audacious, but the execution less so. The casting of Lady Gaga sounded promising... but she’s drastically underused."

Conclusion

Despite the underwhelming reviews and box office performance, Joker: Folie à Deux remains in theaters across the nation, inviting audiences to discover what promises to be a peculiar continuation of the Joker saga. If you're a fan of the original film, proceed with caution—this sequel may not be the cinematic experience you were hoping for!