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When “Joker” first came out in 2019, it quickly became a massive hit; many critics were fascinated by its powerful storyline about mental health and the dark realities of the society that the film explored. Although many felt that the film was a masterpiece in itself, some fans did eagerly look forward for a sequel. When a sequel was eventually announced, many wished Joker: Folie à Deux would develop the rich foundation further but when it finally hit the theaters, there was a huge wave of disappointment. Instead of pushing Arthur’s story forward, it felt like it was stuck, revisiting the old themes without bringing in anything new
Now, let’s explore the key reasons behind audience’s disappointment and see how the choices made in “Folie à Deux” might have spoiled the impactful storytelling of the original film:
The most iconic moment is missing from the movie –
The trailer showed Arthur and Harley Quinn going down a stairway which was similar to the famous dance from the first “Joker” but unfortunately this iconic scene was excluded from the movie. Many felt disappointed and misled because the buzz that was heavily promoted in the trailer were nowhere to be seen in the movie, and it raised questions on the editing team and their choices.
Taking Away the First Film’s Uncertainty –
One of the reasons the first Joker was so fascinating was its uncertainty. It left us questioning about how much of Aurther’s story was real and how much was in his head. This uncertainty made the story more mysterious and stranger to the critics and audiences. But in contrast, “Folie à Deux” adopts a more straightforward approach, clearly distinguishing between what is real and what is not. This made the story less impactful and boring.
Too Much Time Has Passed Since Joker –
The original “Joker” came out five years ago and usually waiting that long for a sequel can hurt its success. The buzz around the first film has faded away. Warner Bros probably should have aimed to release the sequel back in 2021 or 2022. It wasn’t really Warner Bros’ fault either, Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix weren’t signed on for a sequel, so things didn’t get rolling immediately and in addition to that the coronavirus situation shut down Hollywood for months which added even more delays. There was no reason for audiences to be excited after years for a sequel which they were not even expecting.
Neglecting the Potential of Being a Musical –
It was announced that the sequel would be a musical so people were curious about how things would turnout. But things went sideways when Gaga said that it wouldn’t necessarily be a musical. The decision to label Folie à Deux as a musical, only for it to not fully deliver on that promise, likely left audiences feeling disappointed and misled. Fans expecting a vibrant, engaging experience like their favorite musicals may have been disappointed by the absence of fantasy and exciting locations.
“Folie à Deux” was never meant to happen
“Folie à Deux” wasn’t a part of Todd Phillips’ original plan. When the first film came out in 2019, it was meant to be a standalone Joker origin story. Philips also made it clear that they didn’t intend to make a sequel. This made “Joker” unique compared to other comic book movies. However, after the first film’s huge success, Warner Bros. pushed for a sequel, most likely due to monetary reasons. This led Phillips and his team to create “Folie à Deux,” bringing back Joaquin Phoenix and introducing Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. And we all know how that turned out!
Conclusion
In summary, “Folie à Deux” had several issues that affected how people felt about it. Fans were disappointed when a key scene from the trailer wasn’t in the movie. How could they leave out such an important moment? It felt like a missed opportunity, and many were left wondering why.
The sequel also didn’t have the same mysterious elements as the first “Joker,” which kept the audiences guessing. Did this clarity make the story less interesting? It certainly seemed to take away some of the suspense that made the original so interesting. The long wait since the original film also lowered excitement for the sequel. Many were confused about whether it was really a musical, which left them feeling misled. “Folie à Deux” wasn’t part of the original plan, it felt different from what made the first film unique. Although it brought back familiar characters, it struggled to have the same impact that resonated with viewers.
Avoiding these shortfalls could have significantly enhanced the film’s reception and impact. By maintaining the original’s mystery, delivering on key moments, and meeting audiences’ expectations, “Folie à Deux” could have resonated more deeply, reviving the excitement and engagement that made the first film a masterpiece.
