Joker 2 Review: A Misguided Sequel That Fails to Live Up to Expectations

When you hear the name “Joker,” a few things probably come to mind: chaos, dark humour, and a villain so twisted that he’s become an icon in popular culture. The 2019 Joker film directed by Todd Phillips captivated audiences by offering an intense origin story of Gotham’s most notorious villain. So, when the announcement of a sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, hit the internet, fans eagerly awaited a follow-up to this character’s raw, haunting journey. But let me save you some time: if you were hoping for more of the same gripping narrative from the first film, you’re in for a surprise a musical surprise. And unfortunately, it’s not the kind of surprise you’ll enjoy.

A Musical Nobody Asked For

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Joker 2 is a musical. Yes, you read that right a musical. When this news broke, many (myself included) held onto hope that it could be tastefully done. A few well-placed songs here and there? Sure, why not? But walking into the theatre feels like you’re attending a concert with a bit of plot sprinkled in. The film is filled with musical numbers, so much so that the movie itself seems like an afterthought.

Most of these songs feel completely out of place, with Arthur breaking into song at almost every emotional turn. It’s as if the film tried to replace intense dialogue scenes with forgettable tunes, and it fails to create any emotional impact. The first few numbers are tolerable, but by the time the third or fourth song starts, you’re begging for a break hoping for a scene where the Joker’s maniacal laughter is the soundtrack, not an out-of-place ballad.

Missed Opportunities: Songs That Don’t Fit

Here’s the kicker: if you’re going to turn Joker into a musical, at least ensure the songs are relevant to the plot. But most of the numbers in Joker 2 feel forced, like they belong in another movie entirely. A good musical knows how to weave songs into the storyline, enhancing key moments. Unfortunately, Joker 2 doesn’t understand this, and it becomes a chore to sit through. It’s clear that the filmmakers took a creative risk, but instead of pushing boundaries in an exciting way, they alienated fans looking for more of what made the first movie great.

The fact that the songs don’t reflect the tone or setting of the scenes they’re in adds another layer of disappointment. Instead of enhancing the experience, the musical elements detract from it. By the time the credits roll, you’re left wondering what the point of the musical approach was and whether it was simply a misguided attempt to be “different” at the expense of the story.

Lady Gaga: A Misfit in the Joker Universe

Now, let’s talk about Lady Gaga. She plays Harley Quinn, a character with immense potential given the complex, abusive relationship between Harley and Joker. But unfortunately, her performance in Joker 2 is one-note and forgettable. In every scene, Gaga’s expressions seem stuck on autopilot like someone going through the motions without any real emotional depth.

Picture this: Lady Gaga trying to portray a complex character like Harley Quinn but with the same flat expression throughout the entire film. It’s like watching someone walk into work with a hangover, attempting to appear functional while clearly struggling. She fails to embody the unpredictability and madness that makes Harley Quinn such a beloved character. Gaga’s portrayal lacks the emotional range needed to match Joaquin Phoenix’s raw intensity as the Joker.

It’s not that Gaga isn’t talented she’s shown her skills in other roles but Joker 2 exposes a significant miscasting problem. Phoenix, once again, delivers a masterclass in acting, embodying Joker with such nuance that you can’t help but be drawn in. However, Gaga’s lacklustre performance drags down their scenes together, creating a jarring disconnect between their characters.

Joaquin Phoenix’s Stellar Performance Overshadowed

Speaking of Joaquin Phoenix, he remains the movie’s saving grace. His portrayal of Arthur Fleck, the mentally unstable man who becomes the Joker, continues to be riveting. Phoenix is a master at conveying layers of emotion with subtlety his silence speaks volumes, his voice oscillates between calm and menace, and every movement feels deliberate.

In Joker 2, Phoenix once again embodies the psychological complexity of his character. His performance is nothing short of brilliant, and if the film had stuck to this tone, it could have been another masterpiece. However, even Phoenix’s talent can’t save the movie from itself. His moments of brilliance are overshadowed by the distracting musical numbers and the awkward chemistry with Lady Gaga.

It’s a shame because Phoenix alone could have carried the film if given the chance. But instead, we’re left with a disjointed narrative that never quite decides what it wants to be an emotional drama or a whimsical musical. The result is a movie that does neither well.

Todd Phillips’ Ambitious but Flawed Vision

Director Todd Phillips seems to have chased an ambitious vision with Joker 2, but it’s clear that his reach exceeded his grasp. The first Joker succeeded because it was a grounded, raw character study a slow descent into madness that felt eerily plausible. With Joker 2, Phillips appears to have aimed for something more artistic, perhaps drawing inspiration from stage productions or operatic dramas.

The film is structured like a theatrical performance, with Arthur’s eventual death at the end feeling like the final act of a tragedy. But while the idea of creating a stage-like drama in a cinematic context could work, it requires an immense amount of detail and execution to pull off. Joker 2 fails in this regard, lacking the coherence and precision needed to turn this concept into something meaningful.

At times, the film feels like a poorly rehearsed play, where the actors are unsure of their lines, and the audience is left scratching their heads, trying to make sense of it all. If Phillips had focused on the intricate storytelling that made the first film so powerful, Joker 2 could have been a fitting continuation. Instead, it comes off as a misguided experiment, with fans paying the price for its failure.

A Missed Opportunity for Greatness

In the end, Joker: Folie à Deux feels like a massive missed opportunity. What could have been a powerful sequel to one of the most compelling origin stories ever told in cinema instead became a jumbled mess of disjointed ideas. Turning it into a musical was a creative gamble that did not pay off, and the decision to cast Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn only furthered the film’s problems.

If there’s one lesson to be learned from Joker 2, it’s that pushing creative boundaries is only effective when it aligns with the audience’s expectations and the essence of the original. Fans came expecting another deep dive into the Joker’s twisted psyche, and instead, they got an awkward mishmash of songs and underwhelming performances.

The film feels like Todd Phillips and Warner Bros.’ own “Folie à Deux” a shared delusion that this risky creative choice would succeed simply because it was different. The result? A film that may go down in history as one of the most disappointing sequels ever made.

Final Verdict: Skip It

Unless you’re deeply curious to see how Joker 2 turned out, you’re better off rewatching the original. While Joaquin Phoenix’s performance is worth acknowledging, the movie itself is a far cry from the masterpiece that came before it. The ill-conceived musical numbers, Lady Gaga’s underwhelming performance, and Todd Phillips’ misguided vision combine to create a film that fails to live up to expectations.

So, if you’re thinking about buying a ticket to see Joker: Folie à Deux, save your money. You’re not missing much.