Joker: Folie à Deux, the sequel to the acclaimed 2019 psychological thriller, has not done well at the box office, facing a wave of criticism from both audiences and critics. Despite the buzz surrounding its release, the Todd Phillips-directed film has struggled to find its footing. But don’t despair, Joker fans. You won’t have to wait long to catch it at home, as reports confirm that Joker: Folie à Deux will be available on digital platforms starting October 29.
Though the film may not recover the financial losses from its theatrical run, its streaming release offers a second chance to connect with a wider audience, possibly striking a stronger chord with viewers in the comfort of their homes.
Joker: Folie à Deux, directed by Todd Phillips and co-starring Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, earned $51.5 million domestically and another $165 million globally in its first two weeks. The film’s projected lifetime gross is expected to reach between $210 million to $215 million worldwide, leaving a significant shortfall compared to its reported production costs of $150 million to $200 million. With the digital release, the makers aim to minimise these losses.
The original Joker was a massive hit, grossing over $1 billion globally after its October 2019 theatrical release, enjoying a much longer run before becoming available for digital purchase in December.
As for Joker’s storyline, it revolves around Arthur Fleck, played by Joaquin Phoenix. Fleck is a mentally ill loner, working as a clown. He dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian. Towards the end of Joker, Arthur emerges as a hero of those who feel ignored and suppressed by society. The sequel begins with the introduction of a new character named Harleen “Lee” Quinzel. A patient at Arkham State Hospital, she joins Arthur, considering him a leader and even falls in love with the Joker.
Speaking about the character during an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Todd Phillips said, “He (Arthur) realised that everything is so corrupt, it’s never going to change, and the only way to fix it is to burn it all down.”
“When those guards kill that kid in the (hospital), he realises that dressing up in makeup, putting on this thing, it’s not changing anything. In some ways, he’s accepted the fact that he’s always been Arthur Fleck; he’s never been this thing that’s been put upon him, this idea that Gotham people put on him, that he represents,” the director adds, in the same conversation.
Joker: Folie à Deux was released in Indian theatres on October 2 and globally on October 4.
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