Joker 2 Rotten Tomatoes Rating Drops Just Before Premiere

Send in the clowns – or rather, the fans who were eagerly anticipating Joker 2, now facing a concerning Rotten Tomatoes score.

Let’s not forget the 2019 Joker, which also experienced a significant decline in critical reception after its initial acclaim. It won the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and was a strong contender for the Oscars… but as more viewers watched it, the perception shifted from undeniable masterpiece to a far more divisive work.

Now, Joker: Folie à Deux had its debut in Venice as well, but the early reviews are not as favorable, currently sitting at 58% on Rotten Tomatoes. This score is just 2% shy of a Fresh rating, indicating that while it’s not overwhelmingly positive, over half of the critics found it favorable overall – that’s still a notable achievement!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OKAwz2MsJs

Joker: Folie À Deux | Official Trailer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OKAwz2MsJs)

However, as the much-anticipated sequel prepares for its release this weekend (October 4), a common sentiment has emerged from preview screenings: it might not be very good.

At present, Joker 2’s Rotten Tomatoes score stands at 47%, reflecting a drop of 11% in the last month based on over 90 reviews, solidifying this figure as relatively stable at this stage.

The sequel unfolds immediately after the first film, portraying Arthur locked away in Arkham as he awaits trial. He encounters Lee (portrayed by Lady Gaga in her take on Harley Quinn), leading to chaos.

Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix in Joker 2 — Image courtesy of Warner Bros.

Interestingly, if you weren’t aware, Joker 2 is a musical, which has contributed to its polarizing reception. A brief glance at audience reactions on X/Twitter suggests it might face more significant issues.

“If you liked the first Joker, you will not like the sequel. If you did not like the first Joker, you will absolutely despise Joker 2,” one user warned, while another described it as a “shallow mess… it’s all wasted on a story that actively seeks to alienate fans of Joker.”

No spoilers here, but the film’s ending is already sparking debate. “Just saw spoilers for the Joker 2 ending… what on earth,” one user posted, while another tweeted: “Did we all see the same ending to Joker 2 or am I dreaming?”

Joker 2 is hitting theaters tomorrow, October 4. Stay tuned to discover whether its age rating is appropriate for younger audiences, if Joker ties into the Batman universe, and check out 10 similar movies you can watch before the sequel.

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