Joker: Folie à Deux was among the most anticipated movies of 2024. The partnership between actor Joaquin Phoenix and director Todd Phillips has already yielded an Oscar with 2019’s Joker, which changed the way fans looked at Gotham’s clown prince of crime. With heavy expectations and its own precedent to follow, Folie à Deux did not meet expectations to say the least. Now the film is getting another chance on streaming as it finds a new home during the holiday season.
Joker: Folie à Deux will drop on Prime Video in December. The movie brings back Phoenix as Joker, accompanied by Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, and shows the aftermath of Arthur’s (Phoenix) actions at the end of the original movie. Folie à Deux finds Arthur incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital, struggling with his dual identity. Things take a turn when he meets Harley while waiting for his trial for the murder of five people. He soon discovers the music that’s always been inside him. And music is the keyword here.
After a heartbreaking drama presented in the original movie, Philips decided to make the sequel a musical. The movie’s musical turn did not sit well with either critics or fans, as it was the most criticized element of the feature. Phillips and co-writer Scott Silver’s screenplay divided opinions, ranging from bold artistic choice to chaotic and incoherent. Under the weight of expectations and other issues, Joker 2 crumbled and proved a box office flop. In comparison to Joker’s $1 billion gross, the sequel only made $207.5 million worldwide. The dismissal of the movie can be further seen in the 31% Rotten Tomatoes rating from both critics and fans.
Where Else Can You Watch Joaquin Phoenix?
After Joker 2, Phoenix made a neo-western, Eddington, with his frequent collaborator, director Ari Aster. Set in the backdrop of the pandemic, the movie showcases a standoff between a small-town sheriff, Joe (Phoenix), and town mayor Ted (Pedro Pascal) that sparks a powder keg as neighbors are pitted against each other. The movie also stars Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, Micheal Ward, Austin Butler, and Emma Stone. Though the movie was a box office dud, earning $13.1 million worldwide, it has performed much better on streaming, frequently making it to the top 10 charts. If one wishes to see Phoenix playing a larger-than-life character, Ridley Scott’s Napoleon can satisfy that desire. The historical epic pairs Phoenix opposite Vanessa Kirby and makes a compelling watch on Apple TV.
Joker: Folie à Deux dances its way to Prime Video on December 16. Stay tuned to Collider for more such updates.
Release Date
October 4, 2024
Runtime
138 minutes
Writers
Scott Silver, Todd Phillips, Paul Dini, Jerry Robinson, Bruce Timm, Bob Kane, Bill Finger
Producers
Emma Tillinger Koskoff
Prequel(s)
Joker
Franchise(s)
Joker
