Joker Folie à Deux First Reactions – “A Frustrating Disappointment” and “Mesmerizing Masterpiece”

The verdict is in for Todd Phillips' follow-up to his two-time Oscar-winning 2019 film, Joker , which saw Joaquin Phoenix take home his first Academy Award for his portrayal of Arthur Fleck, a clown and failed stand-up comedian who goes astray when society shuns him.

Joker: Folie à Deux premieres this evening at the Venice Film Festival, and as Joker divided critics in 2019, so has the sequel which has resulted in early reactions ranging from "aggressively fine" to "masterpiece".

The film reunites us with Arthur Fleck, who meets Harley Quinn in Arkham State Hospital. It then dives into the consequent chaos that ensues upon their release, as the duo sets out on a doomed romantic adventure.

During the film's press conference earlier today, Todd Phillips told the room that he feels "more nervous" than he did about the release of Joker because "There are a lot more expectations on a second film. There's more nervousness."

Phillips had every right to be nervous.

Connor Lightbody of Screenspace says the film is "too bland to have impact", and Alex Billington of First Showing calls it "a frustrating disappointment."

However, Scott Menzel went as far as to say that this sequel "is a bold, daring and mesmerizing masterpiece."

In an interview in July, Joker: Folie à Deux 's casting director said Lady Gaga will "blow your mind" , and the first reactions suggest she was right.

Menzel praises Gaga, saying, she "delivers the best performance of her career thus far as Harley Quinn."

Ema Sasic at Next Best Picture says the film "is a step up" in her opinion, and it "Features reserved performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, but they get to shine in their musical moments."

TheWrap's William Bibbiani also cleared up the discourse about whether the film is a musical, despite the filmmakers denying that it is.

Bibbiani says " Joker: Folie à Deux is a musical, no matter what the filmmakers (or WB) say."

More Joker: Folie à Deux Reactions Below

Joker: Folie à Deux will be in theaters and IMAX 70mm from October 4.