Quentin Tarantino is a well-known movie director, famous for his witty dialogue and thrilling direction. Throughout his career, he’s picked up two Oscars and is set to direct his tenth and last film soon. Besides being an Oscar-winning filmmaker, Tarantino also isn’t shy about expressing his opinions on today’s movies, which can sometimes catch people off guard. With comic book adaptations continuing to be blockbusters, Tarantino had some thoughts on the latest one that hit screens last fall.
The movie titled “Joker: Folie à Deux,” which followed up on the critically and financially successful 2019 film “Joker,” was directed by Todd Phillips. This sequel continued the story of Arthur Fleck, who eventually became the Joker character. Due to the immense success of the first movie, Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix agreed to reprise their roles for this follow-up. “Joker: Folie à Deux” was an audacious attempt at a new direction, as it was primarily conceived as a musical with a jukebox theme. Although many critics have been critical of the “Joker” sequel, Quentin Tarantino has spoken highly of it and particularly praised Phoenix’s performance in it.
Quentin Tarantino Was a Huge Fan of Joker: Folie à Deux
- Joker: Folie à Deux earned a 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it among the worst-reviewed comic book movies in recent years.
- While the first film received many Oscar nominations and some wins, its sequel didn’t get any love from the Academy.
As a gaming enthusiast, I have to say that while many critics bashed “Joker: Folie à Deux”, Tarantino had an entirely opposite experience when watching this flick. Over the years, there have been several cult classics in the comic book movie genre, and “Joker: Folie à Deux” might just join their ranks someday, with big-name supporters like Tarantino on board. For the legendary writer-director, he acknowledged that the DC film doesn’t entirely hit the mark, but he still found enough humor in its message to keep him engaged.
Quentin Tarantino truly appreciated the film, immensely so. He went in expecting a sophisticated cinematic experience, but instead found it to be an intriguing, albeit somewhat disjointed piece. Contrary to his expectations, he didn’t view it as an intellectual exercise detached from the world of movies, but rather as something he became deeply engrossed in. He particularly enjoyed the musical segments and even found pleasure in parts that seemed less intellectually stimulating and more chaotic. In essence, he admired a film that didn’t perfectly fit the mold of a traditional movie.
Additionally, Tarantino held a unique viewpoint regarding the sequel, suggesting that the movie could be seen as if it was directed by The Joker himself, serving as a clever prank on viewers. With an estimated production cost of $200 million from Warner Bros., this idea adds to the deception. Furthermore, the film’s ending was deliberately unsatisfying, with Phoenix’s Fleck being revealed as not the true Joker, instead discarding the persona in the second movie much like the film itself. However, it remains uncertain if ‘Joker: Folie à deux’ was intentionally crafted this way, but for Tarantino, the movie stood strong on its own merits.
Quentin Tarantino compared Todd Phillips to the character of the Joker, saying that just as the Joker acts recklessly and disrespectfully, Phillips also seems to be doing the same with his movie-making. He called the film “A Joker Movie,” suggesting that Phillips is like the Joker in his actions.
The Academy Award-Winning Filmmaker Also Adored Joaquin Phoenix’s Performance
- Joaquin Phoenix became the second actor to win an Oscar for portraying The Joker in the first film.
- Phoenix took even bigger swings with his performance in the second film, notably adding singing to his arsenal.
Apart from appreciating the innovative blend of a courtroom drama with an American jukebox musical in the film, Tarantino was particularly impressed by Phoenix’s outstanding performance. Remarkably, Phoenix won the Oscar for Best Actor for the initial movie and became one of the rare actors to reprise their role. In the first movie, Phoenix’s acting played a significant part. However, many share Tarantino’s view that Phoenix surpassed his performance in the sequel.
In essence, Phoenix not only managed to seamlessly return to the Arthur character and lose weight again, but he also had to master singing as well.
In a way that might not perfectly blend with the movie, but still impressive, Joaquin Phoenix delivered a gritty and authentic musical performance disguised as Arthur. Beyond his musical scenes, Phoenix took risks by intensifying his Joker portrayal in the sequel. One of these daring moments was his Foghorn Leghorn impression during the trial with Gary Puddles, which was both amusing and startling. Recognized as one of the greatest actors of his time, Phoenix’s performance in the Joker sequel didn’t disappoint. Given these factors, it’s no surprise that Tarantino was enthusiastic about Phoenix reprising his role as Arthur in Joker: Folie à Deux.
Joker: Folie à Deux Was a Major Swing and a Miss for DC
| Recently Released DC Films |
|---|
| Shazam! Fury of the Gods |
| The Flash |
| Blue Beetle |
| Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom |
| Joker: Folie à Deux |
As a die-hard fan of Tarantino’s taste, I can’t help but feel disheartened by the fact that DC’s Joker sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, fell flat compared to expectations. The original film, despite being made on a budget of approximately $55 million, raked in a whopping billion dollars. Unfortunately, its follow-up failed to replicate this success, and the negative feedback it garnered only compounded the issue.
The first Joker movie was a bold gamble for DC that paid off handsomely, paving the way for future comic book movies. On the other hand, Joker: Folie à Deux seems to have taken a step backward, leaving many viewers underwhelmed.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel excited about the fresh start DC seems to be embarking on, aiming to distract us from the shadow of “Joker: Folie à Deux” with a revamped universe. The journey officially commenced with the “Creature Commandos” animated series, yet all attention is now squarely on James Gunn’s upcoming “Superman” film. Frankly, it’s been quite some time since DC delivered a blockbuster hit, and if the next one doesn’t materialize soon, it might signal troubling times for the franchise’s longevity.
As a devoted fan, I can confidently say that the movie “Joker: Folie à Deux” stands out as one of the most daring comic book film adaptations ever crafted. This groundbreaking masterpiece was made possible by the unprecedented success of its predecessor. Few other comic book movies have had the courage to venture as far into uncharted territory, and it may be a while before we see anything comparable due to the ongoing efforts by both DC and Marvel to push the boundaries of the genre.
Remarkably, “Joker: Folie à Deux” exists independently from the main DC and Marvel universes and, in some sense, defies the very idea of being part of them.
Tarantino generally agrees with most people regarding the film overall, yet it’s undeniable that Phoenix once more demonstrated his exceptional acting skills as Arthur. He had a chance to demonstrate his versatility in this role, even though he might not have taken on the character of The Joker. Still, Phoenix’s portrayal was remarkably memorable and deserves applause for the remarkable performance it delivered.
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2025-06-01 03:22