It is safe to say that Joker 2, aka Joker: Folie a Deux, has not had the reception many were expecting from the hotly anticipated sequel.
The first film, starring Joaquin Phoenix, was a huge success, picking up critical plaudits and multiple Oscars on its way to making $1 billion.
The second, featuring Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, has not seen the same reaction, however.
Though initial reviews coming out of Venice Film Festival were mixed but positive, the film’s release has been plagued with bad reviews from critics and fans alike.
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In some extreme cases – the controversial sequel of Joker has even caused some fans to walk out the cinema in disgust.
With the shockingly high cost of going to the cinema nowadays, this is as big a commitment as ever to fully walk out – yet some fans are still going through with it.
This in large part due to them realising something about the film.
The sequel has not seen pure unanimous hatred with some enjoying, including one viewer who tweeted: “I thought Joker 2 was terrific, but quite a percentage of the audience tonight didn’t. Every time there was another song, more people walked out.
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“Not sure how they somehow missed the news that this was a musical.”
Whilst it was announced by Variety in March of this year that it would be a jukebox musical, many went in not knowing that fact.
Another tweeted: “I been knew Joker 2 would be a musical. But they are petty for not promoting it as such. They knew that audience would be pissed & now they’re walking out of theatres. Lmao”.
One fan posted on the subreddit r/moviecritic to say: “Never thought I would walk out Joker Folie A Deux – snoozefest.
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“I think Phoenix and Gaga were brilliant. Loved the support role by Gleeson. Unfortunately I didn't know it was a musical. I hate musicals with a passion.
“I did know there were a few songs because of Gaga, but didn’t know its a full blown musical with 30 ! songs. The movie is slow, nothing happens other than a fire, and the stuff in the courtroom is a snoozefest.
“When she visited him in prison and started singing I walked out. F*ck that sh*t.”
Whilst there aren't actually 30 songs - even if it felt that way - this was a widely held viewpoint.
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Though not everyone is crediting the musical aspect with being the reason they are walking out, as several others have said they are also making a swift premature exit from the films.
One fan tweeted: “Last night was the first time in my life I’ve seen people get up in the middle of a movie and walk out. Joker 2 is horrible, save your money…”
Another said: “40 minutes into Joker 2 and I want to walk out. What a colossal failure”.
And a third posted a video of herself leaving the theatre and said: “I have to leave. I can’t finish this movie, it sucks.”
If you want to see the spectacle for yourself, Joker: Folie a Deux is in cinemas now.
Topics: Joker, Lady Gaga, Harley Quinn, TV and Film, Film
Michael Slavin