Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga’s musical psychological thriller Joker: Folie à Deux received mixed reactions from fans and critics. A section of the audience claimed that the film did not live up to expectations. As a result, the film has witnessed a steady decline in ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. (Also read: Joker Folie a Deux first reactions: film receives 11 minutes of standing ovation at Venice Film Festival, but poor reviews)

Joker: Folie à Deux sees a downward rating trend

The Critics Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes for the film reads: “Joaquin Phoenix’s eponymous Joker takes the stand in a sequel that dances around while the story remains stagnant, though Lady Gaga’s wildcard energy gives Folie á Deux some enthusiasm.” The film achieved a score of 39% on the US Film and Television Review Aggregation website. The Rotten Tomatoes rating indicates what proportion of a film’s reviews are positive. Anything below 60% is considered ‘rotten’, while anything above that figure is called ‘fresh’.

The rating places Joker: Folie à Deux just below Justice League (2017), which managed to score 40% despite massive setbacks. However, the noir thriller is still a far cry from DC’s lowest-rated films such as Suicide Squad (2016) at 26% and Green Lantern (2011) at 25%.

The downward trend in ratings is also a concern for the film’s box office performance. The film has been criticized for its storytelling style. Although Joaquin and Lady Gaga have been praised for their intense acting talent, the plot and pacing have failed to impress most of the audience.

Joker: Folie à Deux’s box office uncertainty

At this time, the film’s success is uncertain as it has yet to be released in many theaters in North America. Fans and industry experts are eager to see if Joker: Folie à Deux can bounce back and connect with a wider audience despite its rocky start. The film’s box office performance could be affected by its rating, especially as the film aims to reach the $1 billion benchmark set by Joker in 2019.

Joker: Folie à Deux is directed by Todd Phillips. The film was released on October 4, 2024.