The highly-anticipated Joker sequel, Joker: Folie á Deux, has officially had it's first screening at the Venice Film Festival — and critics aren't entirely sure what to make of Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix's bizarre musical film.
We hate to break it to Gaga's little monsters, but a lot of people seemed to really, really dislike it. Vanity Fair's Richard Lawson described it as a “cramped psychodrama,” adding, “It’s startlingly dull, a pointless procedural that seems to disdain its audience.” Meanwhile, IndieWire's David Ehlrich wrote, “Here is a movie that perversely denies audiences everything they’ve been conditioned to want from it; gently at first, and then later with the unmistakable hostility of a knife to the gut. […] At no point does Phillips’ pleasure-denying concept become sophisticated or rewarding enough to justify the agony of sitting through it.” Yikes.
Nevertheless, the film received an 11-minute standing ovation at Venice. And despite the mixed reception to the film, it seems that Gaga's turn as Harley Quinn is still well worth watching.
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We previously got our first glimpse at the film with the first trailer, which teased the movie's musical theme and the weird and wonderful romance between the Joker and Harley. “He's not alone anymore,” the snippet was captioned by studio Warner Bros., adding that Joker: Folie á Deux will hit cinemas on 4 October 2024.
The clips show Arthur Fleck and Harleen Quinzel meeting at Arkham Asylum, where they both appear to be inmates (as opposed to the comic book story, in which Harleen Quinzel is the joker's psychiatrist). When they get out, mayhem ensues, of course. We then catch a glimpse at their ‘bad romance’ (sorry) and the film's musical undertone, with the two dancing arm in arm in one scene. Intriguing.
The singer recently got engaged to Michael Polansky.
Director Todd Phillips also shared a Valentine's Instagram post back in February, including three pictures of the duo from the movie.
First up is one of the Joker and Harley stood facing each other, he in a full face of Joker makeup, her looking off into the distance with a hint of the look herself. Second, we have the two nose grazing across a jail cell door (looks like he's in jail, who knows why). And our favourite (and most romantic and cinematic) image is of the duo performing a ballroom dance dip on what looks like a rooftop. Sublime.
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Here's everything you need to know about the all-singing, all-dancing sequel to the 2019 Oscar-winning flick.
What is the plot of Joker: Folie à Deux?
We were left with a massive cliffhanger at the end of Joker when Fleck, who was locked up in Arkham State Hospital for inciting riots across Gotham City, broke free. The sequel will potentially follow him on the run as he continues to transform into the villainous Joker – since the trailer shows Arthur and Harley meeting in the asylum. Judging by the new clips, we will learn more about how the Joker and Harley Quinn meet and become the characters we know so well – one particular scene shows Harley painting a red smiling face on prison glass, with the joker smiling from the other side. “I want to see the real you,” she says. Eek.
The film will feature musical numbers and choreography, apparently based on classic songs.
Is there a trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux?
As previously mentioned, yes! You can watch the trailer for the sequel here:
Who is joining the cast?
As well as Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn and Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, a.k.a., The Joker, franchise newcomers include Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland and Harry Lawtey. Steve Coogan also makes a surprising cameo in the trailer, which caused plenty of reaction online.
Zazie Beetz, who starred in the 2019 film, will return as Sophie, as Fleck did not kill her.
Douglas Hodge could also reprise his role as Alfred Pennyworth - but nothing has been confirmed yet.
What does ‘Folie à Deux’ mean?
The title translates to "delusion or mental illness shared by two people in close association". This hints at Arthur's deadly relationship with Harley Quinn.
Why were fans not happy about Gaga's casting news?
Harley Quinn is such a beloved character in the DC Universe, and Margot Robbie has wowed fans in the role in past films - so naturally, fans do not think that anybody other than her can do the role justice.
"Nobody can play a better harley quinn than margot robbie," one fan tweeted.
Another added: "There is only one Harley Quinn and thats Margot Robbie. PERIOD," while a third echoed: "Margot robbie is the only Harley Quinn we need."
However, others have praised Gaga's casting and say it's not all competition as she will be known for a different universe.
"Margot robbie will NEVER be replaced as harley quinn, lady gaga is only playing as her for a different universe and a different role," a fan tweeted.
Needless to say, we're very excited to see how Gaga makes the role her own!
Margot Robbie also spoke out in support of the singer in a recent Variety interview. “I always wanted Harley to be a character that would get passed on to other actresses to play, the way there are so many iconic male characters,” sge said. “That was always the dream for her. Harley’s so fun and can go in so many different directions. You put her in someone else’s hands, and it’s like, ‘What are they going to do with her?’ The options are endless.”
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Is it a musical?
Since news about Joker: Folie à Deux first started circulating, it was widely believed that the film would be a musical (Lady Gaga is one of its lead stars, after all). But director Todd Philips has recently confirmed that though music is a key part of the movie, it is not a musical. According to the BBC, music is "an essential element," but he wouldn't class Joker 2 as a musical.
When will Joker: Folie à Deux release?
Mark your calendars because Joker: Folie à Deux is set to hit cinemas on 4 October 2024!
