Sequels or follow-ups to potentially successful franchises rarely derail. If you have the same director and actor from the first film, the chances of the film derailing are even less. But Todd Phillips has done the unthinkable by creating one of the biggest messes of a sequel with Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker: Folie Deux.

When Joker came out, it not only became an instant success at the box office, but also gave us one of the most disturbing yet utterly mesmerizing performances of all time, with Phoenix playing Arthur Fleck. The follow-up not only manages to tarnish the reputation of its predecessor, but also makes you question Fleck’s character even more. The choices he made in Joker, the consequences he faced, and the mental health issues he highlighted were very important to the film. Unfortunately, the second part feels like a cheap ploy for fans of the franchise to make a quick buck.

Here is the trailer:

Unlike the 2018 musical, A Star Is Born, Joker Part 2 doesn’t have a single song or track worth mentioning. Gaga’s contribution to the film feels as muted as her shallow performance. Phoenix’s vocals feel strained and forced. Even fans who have been supportive of Gaga’s foray into the music world have given her a side project – an album dedicated to the film, The Cold Shoulder. Which is appropriate, because the entire premise of this film feels forced.

Joker: Folie Deux had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, the writers or producers never rise to the occasion and seize the opportunity to create something groundbreaking. Instead, they feel confused and lost. Even Gaga and Phoenix’s first few interaction scenes, which could have had a lot of drama, feel lackluster. It’s safe to say that Joker fans will be disappointed. Without any proper story or character arc or even a solid fight or action scene, this movie should have been titled Joker: A Huge Misstep!

2 out of 5 stars for Joker: Folie Deux.