That’s not something anyone would expect from Joker: Folie à Deux. At least, there is someone like Joaquin Phoenix, helmed by Todd Phillips, the same duo who gave us a masterpiece like Joker back in 2019. When the movie is struggling at the box office, it has been awarded one of the lowest grades on CinemaScore.
Joker: Folie à Deux Receives a D on CinemaScore
The release of Joker: Folie à Deux was met with high anticipation, but it appears the film has struggled to meet the big expectations set for it. Despite the significant buzz surrounding the sequel, its reception has been lukewarm, as reflected in its CinemaScore grading, which has not been favorable, leaving the Joker character with more reason to brood.
Following its debut, the movie saw its Rotten Tomatoes score plummet to levels comparable to box office failures like Borderlands and Megalopolis. Shockingly, Joker: Folie à Deux fell below even Eternals and other recent DC films, which faced harsh critiques. The current score sits at a disappointing 33% from both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet, it was the CinemaScore, which gathers feedback from early moviegoers, that delivered the most crushing blow to Gotham’s infamous villain.
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In a surprising outcome, the film received a rare D grade from CinemaScore, a score almost unimaginable when considering the buildup during its marketing campaign. This rating is significantly worse than the B+ given to 2019’s Joker, which went on to shatter box office records. What’s more, it stands as the lowest-rated comic book movie in CinemaScore’s history, sinking beneath Morbius (C+), Batman and Robin (C+), and even the critically panned Fantastic Four (C-). Meanwhile, even Madame Web managed to secure a C+.
https://twitter.com/CinemaScore/status/1842446858188161034
In this new chapter, Joker: Folie à Deux follows Arthur Fleck’s continued incarceration at Arkham Asylum as he awaits trial for his crimes. As Arthur grapples with his fractured identity, he stumbles upon both love and music, two unexpected elements that take him further into the chaos within.
The sequel reunites Joaquin Phoenix, reprising his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck/Joker, with Lady Gaga, herself an Oscar winner, stepping in as a major character. The star-studded cast also includes Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener, both Oscar nominees, and Zazie Beetz, who returns as her character from the original Joker. Despite this promising ensemble, the film has struggled to capture the magic of its predecessor.
Warner Bros. Declines Test Screenings for Joker: Folie á Deux
Warner Bros. has opted for a bold and risky strategy with its latest comic book film, Joker: Folie á Deux, choosing not to conduct any test screenings. According to recent reports, despite the film’s substantial $200 million budget, Warner Bros. opted to bypass the traditional audience feedback process. This decision comes as a surprise, especially considering the financial stakes and the massive success of the original Joker film.
The first Joker was a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $1 billion globally. It became the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, briefly holding the top spot before being surpassed by Deadpool and Wolverine. What made Joker a standout was not just its box office success, but its low production cost. With a modest budget of $55 million, the film’s massive returns were highly profitable for Warner Bros. and DC Studios. Seeing the overwhelming success of the original, the studio decided to green-light a sequel, despite the initial plan for the first movie to be a standalone project.
However, the studio’s approach to Joker: Folie á Deux has been drastically different. Warner Bros. placed significant faith in the project by more than tripling the budget to $200 million. This move alone demonstrates their confidence in the sequel’s potential. Yet, with higher stakes comes higher risks. One of the most daring choices made by the filmmakers was to turn the sequel into a musical—a sharp shift from the original’s dark, psychological tone. While musicals can be well-received, combining this genre with a villain origin story could alienate parts of the fanbase.
A report from Matt Belloni’s Puck newsletter revealed that Warner Bros. did not conduct test screenings for Folie á Deux, which many studios use to gather valuable feedback before locking the final cut. “Despite the risky musical element and dry courtroom sequences, it was revealed that Warner Bros. made the decision to forgo audience feedback before the film was completed,” the report stated. Considering Folie á Deux is the studio’s most expensive film of the year, this move could be viewed as walking a tightrope.
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Test screenings, while not always foolproof, are commonly used as a way to gauge audience reaction and make last-minute adjustments. However, Warner Bros. seems to be betting on the film’s existing fanbase and the previous success of the Joker franchise. Without test screenings, the studio had no guarantee that the risky elements, such as the musical format or courtroom scenes, would resonate with viewers.
Now, seeing all the trends and box office news, it will not be harsh to say that the decision not to go for test screening proved to be a costly one.
Joker: Folie á Deux is running in theaters.
