Alright, folks, let’s talk Joker: Folie À Deux, the highly anticipated sequel to 2019’s masterpiece Joker. The first movie? Absolute game-changer. Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of the iconic villain set the bar sky-high. So when I heard there was going to be a sequel—and Lady Gaga was joining the party—I was ready for something epic. Like, “take-my-popcorn-and-don’t-talk-to-me” kind of epic.
But… did it deliver? Well, let’s just say my excitement took a bit of a nosedive.
Slow, Slower, Slowest…
Okay, I get it. Joker isn’t exactly the kind of character you expect to be in a fast-paced superhero showdown, but wow, this movie really took its time. The pacing was so slow that at certain points, I found myself wishing for something—anything—to break the monotony. You know how you wait for that one jaw-dropping, edge-of-your-seat moment in a movie? Yeah, it never really came for me. The buildup felt like a long walk to nowhere, leaving me wondering if they forgot to put the actual “wow” in the script.
Lady Gaga to the Rescue? Not Quite.
Don’t get me wrong, I was stoked about Lady Gaga being cast. The woman is a powerhouse—whether it’s her music, acting, or her ability to just be Gaga. But even she couldn’t save this one for me. I expected her to bring an electrifying energy, maybe a mind-blowing duet with Joaquin (or an epic face-off), but instead, we got… musical numbers. Yes, folks, it was a musical. And while Gaga was great, the fact that the movie leaned so heavily into musical territory was a bummer for me. I came in wanting action, chaos, and killer dialogue, but instead, I got a song and dance. And frankly, I wasn’t here for it.
The Music… Meh
As someone who’s not a fan of musicals in general, the shift in tone wasn’t what I was expecting, or particularly enjoyed. Don’t get me wrong—Gaga and Joaquin singing and emoting was definitely unique—but not exactly what I signed up for. If I wanted a musical, I’d have hit up La La Land, not a Joker sequel. I wanted Joker to bring that dark, gritty, anarchic energy we all fell in love with in the first film, but instead, it felt like it was trying to be Cabaret meets Gotham. Not my vibe.
Cinematography? Now That’s a Show!
Okay, let’s give credit where it’s due: the cinematography was on point. The use of color, the haunting visuals, and the overall atmosphere were simply stunning. Whoever was behind the camera clearly knew what they were doing, and they painted a gorgeous, eerie picture of Joker’s twisted world. There were moments where I just sat back and thought, “Wow, this shot is beautiful”—but unfortunately, that’s where most of the “wow” ended for me.
Action? Dialogue? Hello? Are You There?
Let’s be real: when you think Joker, you think mind-blowing action sequences, or at the very least, some iconic, chilling dialogue that sticks with you long after the credits roll. Well, I hate to say it, but there was none of that. The action? Minimal. The dialogue? Forgettable. It’s almost like the filmmakers forgot that people loved the first movie because of its gritty storytelling and intense character development—not because they wanted to see Joker tap-dancing around Gotham.
At the end of the day, Joker: Folie À Deux wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for. With its slow pacing, lack of “wow” moments, and unexpected musical twist, it didn’t live up to the expectations set by its predecessor. Sure, the cinematography was fantastic, and Lady Gaga gave a strong performance, but the movie itself left me feeling underwhelmed.
Would I recommend it? If you’re into musicals and slow-burn psychological dramas, maybe give it a go. But if you were hoping for more of that gritty, action-packed vibe from the first Joker film, you might want to temper your expectations.
What did you think? Was it a miss for you too, or did the musical vibe surprise you in a good way? Let me know!
