Joker: Folie à Deux, the highly anticipated sequel to 2019’s Joker, is off to a disastrous start, reportedly losing up to $70 million after a disappointing opening.
The film currently holds a dismal 33% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and it earned a rare D grade from CinemaScore, a firm that surveys opening night audiences.
This is the worst CinemaScore ever recorded for a comic book movie, surpassing even infamous flops like Fantastic Four (2015) and Morbius.
For context, Fantastic Four had a C- CinemaScore, while Catwoman (2004) managed to scrape by with a B, making Joker 2’s D all the more damning.
Even at the international box office, the numbers aren’t promising.
Critics also point out that the narrative structure feels disjointed, with some labeling the film “incoherent” and “self-indulgent.
The film’s downfall has many speculating whether the massive budget—rumoured to be near $200 million—coupled with Todd Phillips’ creative choices, sealed its fate.
With a Rotten Tomatoes score stuck at around 33%, both critics and audiences have rejected the bold, surreal tone, a stark contrast to the first Joker, which won over fans and made more than $1 billion.
Unfortunately, Joker 2 now ranks among 2024’s most significant box office disasters.
This is a far cry from the first Joker, which was lauded for its disturbing yet thought-provoking portrayal of Arthur Fleck’s descent into madness.
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