Joaquin Phoenix returns as the notorious supervillain in Joker: Folie à Deux, featuring Lady Gaga as his sidekick in this musical sequel. After its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on Wednesday, opinions on the film are divided.
A follow-up to 2019’s Joker—which earned Phoenix a Best Actor Oscar—Folie à Deux maintains the crime drama essence of its predecessor while incorporating a jukebox musical element that introduces Gaga’s Harley Quinn.
The film explores the dark and troubling backstory of Arthur Fleck, detailing his abusive childhood, medical challenges, and transformation into a white-faced, clown-suited persona, culminating in a violent rampage that sparks riots across Gotham City. Gaga portrays Harleen Quinzel, a deeply troubled psychiatric patient who falls in love with Joker during a music therapy class.
David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter commends the sequel, saying, “Gaga is a compelling live-wire presence, balancing affinity and obsession while giving Arthur a shot… Their musical numbers, both duets and solos, infuse the often somber film with much-needed vitality.”
In contrast, Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson criticizes the film as “startlingly dull, a pointless procedural that seems to disdain its audience,” while the BBC’s Nicholas Barber describes it as a “demythologizing exercise” that may come off as either daring or irritatingly smug, but ultimately lacks enjoyment.
The film is set to hit North American theaters on October 4.
