The box office performance of Joker: Folie à Deux has left many surprised, especially when compared to the staggering success of its predecessor, the 2019 film, Joker. Directed by Todd Phillips, this 2024 sequel brings back Joaquin Phoenix in the role of Arthur Fleck, a troubled comedian whose descent into madness as the Joker shocked audiences. While I initially found Joker to be a groundbreaking exploration of the infamous DC Comics villain, the lukewarm reception of its follow-up has raised questions.
Having eagerly anticipated the release of Folie à Deux, I watched it right away in October 2024. As a fan of Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, I was captivated by its unique narrative style and artistic direction. The film, which veered into uncharted territory with its thought-provoking and contentious storyline, stood out as a fitting sequel. However, my personal enjoyment clashed with the general consensus, as Folie à Deux faced substantial criticism for not aligning with the expected Joker chaos (which is, in fact, central to its narrative). This backlash seems to have resulted in its lackluster box office performance.
Box Office Figures: A Dramatic Decline
2019’s Record-Breaking Performance
The original Joker film shattered box office records when it was released in October 2019. Garnering numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards for Best Actor (Joaquin Phoenix) and Best Original Score (Hildur Guðnadóttir), it became the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, amassing over $1.079 billion globally. This milestone defined a new era for R-rated films until Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine surpasses it in 2024.
As the release of Joker: Folie à Deux approaches its streaming debut on Max, Warner Bros. disclosed that the sequel grossed a mere $206.4 million globally (according to Box Office Mojo). This represents about one-fifth of the original’s earnings and just about recovers its $200 million production budget, which significantly eclipsed that of its predecessor. Even so, it falls short of being a financial success.
Factors Behind the Lower Box Office Performance
Audience Reception: Divided Opinions
In the aftermath of 2019’s Joker, there was a strong demand for a sequel featuring Arthur Fleck fully transforming into the Joker we know from DC Comics, unraveling chaos in Gotham under Todd Phillips’ direction. However, both Phillips and Phoenix were cautious about pursuing a sequel, which ultimately resulted in a narrative that strayed far from audience expectations. I personally found the subversive, unexpected elements of Folie à Deux refreshing and commendable, but many viewers were disappointed, desiring a more traditional approach.
Moreover, Phillips’ vision established this series in a separate continuity, distinct from the newly rebooted DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran, as well as Matt Reeves’ The Batman franchise.
Additionally, marketing the film as a musical may have dissuaded potential viewers. Whether or not the musical aspects deterred audiences is up for debate; as a fan of musicals, I personally embraced this creative direction. However, the shifting dynamics of audience preferences in cinema may have rendered Folie à Deux less appealing to mainstream audiences from the outset.
The Streaming Release: A Double-Edged Sword
Premiere on Max: December 13, 2024
The upcoming streaming release presents two possibilities: either viewers will cement the movie’s reputation for being underwhelming, or they will discover it possesses redeeming qualities overlooked during its theatrical run. I lean toward believing that the latter scenario might unfold, possibly improving the film’s overall reception scores. Unfortunately, this shift will not alter its final box office figures, reflecting a bleak future for the Joker franchise.
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