Joker: Folie À Deux Flops with a D CinemaScore

Joker: Folie À Deux has shaken up the comic book movie landscape by earning a rare D CinemaScore, the lowest grade ever for a film in this genre. The highly anticipated sequel, which follows the critically acclaimed Joker (2019), has left audiences divided, primarily due to its unexpected musical format, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. While Folie À Deux had a massive budget of $200 million, it has struggled to meet expectations both critically and commercially.

One of the main criticisms stems from the film’s marketing, which downplayed its musical elements. Fans of the original Joker, a dark and gritty character study, were unprepared for the drastic tonal shift in Folie À Deux, which integrated elaborate musical numbers. Joaquin Phoenix returns as Arthur Fleck, but many audience members felt that the sequel did not develop his character in a meaningful way, leaving them feeling disconnected from the story.

Additionally, the plot has been criticized for being uneventful, with some viewers complaining that "nothing happens." This sentiment was exacerbated by a deliberately subversive ending that left many frustrated. Online, reactions have echoed similar complaints, pointing to the film's hostility towards comic book fans, who may have expected more action or deeper ties to the larger Batman universe.

A Comparison to Other Low-Rated Films

Joker: Folie À Deux now holds the unfortunate distinction of having the worst CinemaScore for a comic book film. Even movies that have been widely panned by critics, such as Morbius (C+) and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (C-), managed to avoid dipping to such a low score. This makes Folie À Deux stand out in the genre’s history as a film that severely missed the mark with its core audience.

However, Joker: Folie À Deux shares company with other films that intentionally pushed boundaries or subverted audience expectations. For instance, Hereditary, a critically acclaimed horror film, also received a D+ CinemaScore. Like Folie À Deux, Hereditary was a film that challenged viewers with its unconventional storytelling and themes, leading to a polarized response.

A major factor in the Joker sequel’s low score is how it failed to align with audience expectations. The 2019 Joker film was a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $1 billion worldwide and earning Joaquin Phoenix an Oscar for Best Actor. It set the bar high for its follow-up. Fans expected a similarly dark, psychological exploration of Arthur Fleck’s descent into madness. Instead, Folie À Deux introduced a musical approach, an artistic choice that many found jarring and unwelcome.

Although the musical elements added a surreal quality to the film, they alienated viewers who were hoping for a more straightforward narrative. Test screenings reportedly revealed a similar disconnect, with focus groups reacting negatively to the unexpected shift in genre, but by then, it was too late to make changes.

Joker: Folie À Deux faced not only a low D CinemaScore, but also significant financial losses. The film, which had a production budget of $200 million, fell short of box-office expectations. Initial projections suggested an opening weekend of around $100 million, but after negative reviews and audience backlash, the film earned only $47 million. This was a sharp decline compared to the original Joker’s $96 million opening. The disappointing box-office performance, combined with the massive budget, may lead to substantial losses for Warner Bros