Joaquin Phoenix’s first look in Joker 2 is definitely a tease of what’s coming, but fans are still stinging from Todd Phillips’ epic twist. The film’s new musical angle’s causing a stir for its bold take on the iconic villain. Even with Phoenix back as Arthur Fleck, Phillips’ risky choices have left fans feeling uneasy.
Will this fresh peek into the Joker’s world be enough to win people over, or will past controversies overshadow the hype? Buckle up—Joker 2 is set to stir the pot and explore some daring new ground.
Joker: Folie à Deux—From Gritty Reality to Musical Madness: Can the Sequel Keep the Dark Thrill?
Remember the gritty, violent world of the first Joker? The trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux just dropped, and it’s got everyone buzzing. Joaquin Phoenix returning as the iconic villain? Electric. Lady Gaga taking on Harley Quinn? Intriguing. But the film’s biggest twist—a jukebox musical format—has fans literally crying foul.
Fans worry a jukebox musical will dilute the rawness of the first film’s disturbing psyche, taking away from how crazy brilliant the original Joker was. A fan commented on X, “A ‘joke’ box musical,” criticizing the trailer.
A 'joke' box musical 😆
— Zer0LMonopoly (@Zer0LMonopoly) July 23, 2024
There’s no denying that the trailer video is interesting. Phoenix seems to have gotten into the singing part, and Lady Gaga’s the perfect Harley Quinn. But there’s also a feeling of dread. The first Joker was a visceral experience. It was dark, disturbing, and a deep dive into Arthur Fleck’s descent into madness. This new musical approach, though, feels like a complete betrayal of that tone.
Director Todd Phillips is known for pushing the limits, and his vision is certainly bold. Zazie Beetz, who’s returning as Sophie from the original, revealed the musical components in a ‘Chanel’s Tribeca Film Festival Artists Dinner in New York,’ reported by Variety:
I think people will be surprised. I don’t think it’s going to be what they expect, around it being musical. We all sort of express musically and dancing in our lives day-to-day. I think it’s going to work really well.
The crazy musical numbers and bright colors make us think that the characters are using strange ways to deal with their deepest problems. Is Arthur’s and Harley’s slide into musical madness a way for them to escape their lives falling apart? Or is it a scary sign that their insanity is getting worse?
Joker: Folie à Deux is guaranteed to be a conversation starter. But the question remains: will Lady Gaga and a soundtrack of show tunes be enough to win over viewers who fell in love with the gritty realism of the first Joker? Let’s see what the fans have to say.
Fans Fume Over Musical Makeover of Joker 2
Fans are pretty angry about Joker: Folie à Deux. Lots of viewers hated the change because they loved how dark and raw the first movie was. For the second film, the makers added pop songs and dance routines instead of gritty reality for a cheesy makeover, and it didn’t go well with the audience.
I WANT AN ACTION MOVIE!!!! pic.twitter.com/TuiNWb1JEr
— E-Man (@WigginsWick22) July 23, 2024
JOKER….. the musical 😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/kqpObENs3G
— 4KT WHO YOU HATE (@royal_bobby24) July 23, 2024
The first one wasn’t a musical – wonder if this sequel will be as good as the first one because of the new musical element
— Samantha J. Foster Composer (@sjfostersound) July 23, 2024
DELE PLEASE
— art (@BunnySinTi) July 23, 2024
Musical? Lady Gaga? Hard pass.
— WizKid (@WizKidd301) July 23, 2024
It's like they're doing everything they can to make me not want to see it. I mean, I already didn't, but geez.
— 🇨🇦 Officially TheSwamper (@SwampRob) July 23, 2024
The people that are crying about it being a musical were the same people who cried when they announced a joker movie without batman in it
— Saad 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@iamsaaddar) July 23, 2024
I thought it being a musical was a joke…
— sophia🌱 (@sophiatheehotie) July 23, 2024
Will this musical Joker 2 be as terrifying as the laughing maniac we knew? The jury’s out, but one thing’s for sure: Folie à Deux is dividing fans before the opening act.
Joker: Folie à Deux will hit theaters on October 4th, 2024.
