Joker 2 gets divisive Rotten Tomatoes score – and it’s already at risk

Despite its first installment being a box office and critical success, Joker 2 has already divided fan opinion when it comes to its long-awaited Rotten Tomatoes score.

Although general audiences are a month away from seeing director Todd Phillips‘ anticipated sequel Joker: Folie à Deux, first reactions have already dropped thanks to the movie debuting to the press at the Venice Film Festival.

Some of the leaked feedback was positive, with one fan posting on X/Twitter “#Venezia81 Ok I’ll say this about #JokerFolieADeux without spoilers. It gives continuity to this cinematic universe in a way you don’t expect. It’s all about the ending, wait for it. I need part III!

“Gaga is supporting, not lead. But her character is the real deal. You’ll see.”

Because of its concept, some fans were worried Joker 2 would be branded with an overall Rotten Tomatoes score in the low 60s range… and they were right. As of writing, the new movie has a score of 60% – and it’s divided fans completely.

Tori Brazier at Metro wrote “Folie à Deux achieves two remarkable things. It updates the movie musical, using the genre in an inspired way that shouldn’t frighten fans who don’t like them. It’s also that rare sequel that meets – if not surpasses – the quality of its predecessor.”

“It seems like Todd Philips targeted Folie à Deux directly at the audience who got a little too into Joker – and made it to antagonize them,” Alexander Harrison at Screen Rant added.

However, Rory Doherty at Flicks disagreed, writing “It is not that this version of the Joker is inherently wrong, but it is uninteresting. Please let us be done with this.”

“It begs the question, why is Phillips so reluctant to embrace that the film is a musical? Why not add a little more colour, some flourish to the production design?” Hannah Strong at Little White Lies agreed.

Warner Bros. Pictures

Joker 2 doesn’t hit screens until October 4, so we’re currently unable to see how its audience score might differ from critical reception.

OG Joaquin-Joker fared similarly with critics, scoring an average of 69%. However, audiences absolutely adored the flick, earning it 89% on their side.

The 2019 installment seemed to fare better with reviews, as one critic wrote, “It’s not a film about the Joker. It’s a very realistic portrayal of someone (anyone!) who can become someone like him. And it’s disturbingly brilliant!”

Not only was the first Joker mostly beloved by critics, but it dominated the box office to become one of the highest-grossing R-rated movies of all time.

The sequel does have more working against it. It’s set to be a musical, and the addition of Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn may throw its core audience off.

Joker 2 releases in theaters on October 4. In the meantime, check out guides to the best movies of 2024 so far and all of the movies streaming in September. You can also keep up with the best TV shows streaming this month.