Joker: Folie à deux receives worst rating for a comic book film

It's a shocker. Joker: Madness has just received the worst score ever given to a comic book movie on CinemaScore. If you remember the impact that the first Joker had in 2019, we're talking about a real slap in the face. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, this film had exploded expectations, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film in history. A masterstroke that seemed unmatchable. And yet, it has just been surpassed by behemoths like Deadpool and Wolverine. But where the first Joker had conquered audiences and critics, its sequel seems to be getting bogged down.

Joker: Folie à deux, despite its promises and the addition of Lady Gaga in the role of Harley Quinn, failed to seduce the audience. 20 million dollars for its first day at the American box office, that's three times less than the first part. For a film of this magnitude, it's almost an admission of failure. Expectations were enormous, and the results are far, very far, from the hopes.

And then, as if that weren't enough, the CinemaScore grade came down. A D. Not a C or a mixed B, but a D, the lowest grade ever given to a comic book movie. To give you an idea, even 2015's disastrous Fantastic Four, which was unanimously... against it, earned a C-. While the first Joker earned a B+, this sequel seems to be a complete disaster in terms of reception.

What happened? How could a sequel with so much potential, with a dream cast, fall so low? Is it the surprise effect that has run out of steam? Maybe. The first Joker had left its mark with its dark, psychological treatment, a sort of antithesis of superhero blockbusters. But this time, it seems that the formula didn't work. Or maybe the audience simply expected something else. The magic doesn't seem to have worked in the same way, and the box office figures don't lie.

Of course, it's still too early to definitively close the debate. Critics can change, and some films find their audience long after their theatrical release. But for now, Joker: Folie à deux seems to be part of a trend that we know well: that of sequels that struggle to reach the heights of the first part. And that's a shame, especially with talents like Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga on the bill.

So what's next for Joker: Madness? Maybe it'll find a new life on streaming, or maybe it'll become a cult classic despite its initial poor ratings. Maybe Lady Gaga fans will bring a second wind to the audience. Or maybe we'll just be left with a bitter disappointment, wondering how it all went wrong.

And you, what do you think? Did this second Joker live up to your expectations, or, like many, were you left wanting more?