The much-awaited film “Joker: Folie à Deux,” starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, has premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival. The movie, directed by Todd Phillips, has generated a lot of buzz ever since its trailer was released five months ago. Fans have been eagerly waiting to see how the sequel to the 2019 hit “Joker” would turn out. The first reactions are now in, and while there was an 11-minute standing ovation after the screening, reviews have been somewhat divided.
11-Minute Standing Ovation for “Joker 2”
After the screening of “Joker 2” at the Sala Grande theatre during the Venice Film Festival, the audience gave a standing ovation that lasted for nearly 11 minutes. According to reports from news agency ANI, the applause was thunderous, and many people in the crowd congratulated the lead actors, Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, as well as director Todd Phillips. People even started singing the film’s theme song while clapping and cheering, creating an electric atmosphere in the theater. Lady Gaga, in particular, received a lot of praise for her performance.
Mixed Reviews for the Film
Despite the long applause, not everyone was entirely happy with “Joker: Folie à Deux.” Some critics found the film disappointing. The “Hollywood Reporter” said that while Lady Gaga brings charm and life to the movie, the overall tone of “Joker 2” is sad and dark. The publication noted that the film could have benefited from more musical moments to break up the intensity.
Joaquin Phoenix’s Performance Praised
On the other hand, “The Guardian” praised Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of the Joker, calling it just as strong and impactful as it was in the first movie. Phoenix’s powerful performance was highlighted as one of the film’s key strengths. His portrayal of the troubled and complex character continues to be one of the most praised aspects of the franchise.
Criticism from Indie Wire
However, “Indie Wire” was not as impressed with the film. They called “Joker 2” a “boring and flat” film, saying that Lady Gaga’s character was sidelined and not given enough focus. This review sparked discussions about how the film used Gaga’s talent, with some feeling that she deserved more attention in the story.
Variety’s Review of “Joker 2”
Variety described “Joker: Folie à Deux” as a carefully crafted sequel but also mentioned that it is very dark, outrageous, and ugly. They called it a film that is not for everyone and may be hard to watch for some due to its heavy and disturbing themes. The movie has been made in a very different style, as it combines musical elements with psychological drama, making it stand out from other films in the same genre.
“Joker” 2019’s Success
The first “Joker” movie, released in 2019, was a massive hit globally and received critical acclaim. It was nominated for 11 Oscars, with Joaquin Phoenix winning the Academy Award for Best Actor, and Hildur Gudnadottir winning for Best Original Score. The film also became the highest-grossing R-rated movie worldwide. These achievements set very high expectations for the sequel, and fans are curious to see if “Joker 2” will live up to the success of the first part.
“Joker 2” Cast and Release Date
Apart from Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the film also stars Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lottie in key roles. “Joker: Folie à Deux” is set to release in theatres on October 2, and fans are excited to see how the movie performs at the box office.
