‘Joker’ Sequel Falls Far Short of Original at the Box Office

The sequel to Todd Phillips' 2019 'Joker' falls short at the box office, bringing in $40 million on its opening weekend compared to the original's $96 million.

Key Takeaways

Aspect	Details
Box Office Opening	'Joker: Folie à Deux' opens to around $40 million, far below the original's $96 million.
Production Cost	The film's budget is estimated at $200 million, with high salaries for cast and crew.
Reviews and Audience Response	The film received poor reviews, with audiences giving it a D score on CinemaScore exit polls.
Star Cast	Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as the Joker, while Lady Gaga joins the cast as his partner in crime.
Sequel Reception	Despite high expectations, the musical element alienated traditional 'Joker' fans.

The original "Joker," released in 2019, was a cultural phenomenon. It raked in 11 Oscar nominations and made $1 billion at the global box office, positioning itself as a landmark film for Warner Bros. Naturally, a sequel was inevitable. "Joker: Folie à Deux," however, fell far short of expectations during its opening weekend.

The Sequel's Struggles

Despite the return of Joaquin Phoenix in his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck (the Joker), and the addition of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, the film underperformed at the box office. Opening to around $40 million, "Folie à Deux" brought in less than half of the $96 million that the original "Joker" made during its first weekend in 2019. The film, which reportedly cost $200 million to produce, will face challenges earning back its production and marketing costs.

As with the original, the sequel was directed by Todd Phillips. However, where the 2019 film focused on the psychological depths of the Joker’s descent into madness, this new installment shifted gears—transforming the character study into a bleak, R-rated musical drama. Reviews have been dismal, with The New York Times calling it "a dour, unpleasant slog," and fans agreeing, based on the D CinemaScore.

Mixed Reactions to the Musical Element

The decision to add a musical element was reportedly inspired by a dream Phoenix had during the production. While some critics applauded the creative risk, most audiences felt alienated. Traditional fans of the Joker, who relished the nihilistic tone of the original, struggled to connect with the musical numbers, which many saw as out of place in the grim Gotham world.

David A. Gross, a film consultant, explained the risk of such a departure. "Lady Gaga in a musical was an unconventional choice. The original 'Joker' was a dark, sad character study. There wasn’t much room for growth, and 'Folie à Deux' hasn’t found a way to overcome that."

Star Salaries and Production Budget

Part of the film's financial burden stems from the high salaries paid to its stars. Joaquin Phoenix reportedly earned $20 million for reprising his role, while Lady Gaga took home $12 million. While this investment was expected to draw in larger crowds, the film's creative choices may have hindered its success at the box office.

Conclusion

With the box office down by 12 percent this year, studios were looking for a strong October to fuel momentum into the holiday season. However, "Joker: Folie à Deux" did not deliver the expected success. With reviews remaining lukewarm and audience enthusiasm low, it’s unclear if the film will be able to bounce back.

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Sources: The New York Times, Box Office Mojo, Warner Bros.