Joker: Folie a Deux scores an unwanted Rotten Tomatoes rating as critics blast ‘profoundly stupid’ sequel

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The genius of it is that we can’t help but care for Arthur despite his neediness and derangement.” The film, which is a musical, also stars Lady Gaga as the Joker’s sidekick and love interest, Harley Quinn, had a modest early score on Rotten Tomatoes on 61 per cent, as reported by Forbes, placing it as having the same score as the widely derided Black Adam. open image in gallery Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in ‘Joker: Folie a Deux” The consensus review on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing is: “Joaquin Phoenix’s eponymous Joker takes the stand in a sequel that dances around while the story remains still, although Lady Gaga’s wildcard energy gives Folie á Deux some verve.” New York Times critic Manohia Dargis writes: “The big non-news about Folie à Deux is that it’s a half-baked, half-hearted musical complete with one star who can sing, Lady Gaga as Lee Quinzel aka Harley Quinn, and another who can’t or won’t.” Audrey Fox for Looper said: “Even fans of Joker are unlikely to find much to redeem this chaotic, profoundly stupid mess.” Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Richard Roeper of the Chicago-Sun Times said in his review: “There’s always a joker, there’s always a clown — but if he doesn’t morph into something bigger and bolder and more terrible, it starts to feel like we’ve seen this show before, only without the musical numbers.” Kevin Maher for The Times called the film “messy, lifeless, derivative and exactly what you’d expect from a film that simply doesn’t want, or need, to exist”. More favourable reviews saw Danny Leigh for The Financial Times call it less “dislikeable than its forebear” while Ireland’s RTE said: “The film is effortlessly claustrophobic, dreamily undramatic and all the better for it.” open image in gallery JOKER The film is set to be the last for Phoenix’s Joker.