The highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 hit 'Joker', titled 'Joker 2: Folie Deux', has made its debut at the box office, garnering mixed reactions from audiences and critics alike. Directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the film has opened to a significant but somewhat disappointing start.
Box Office Performance in India
In India, 'Joker 2: Folie Deux' collected approximately 5 crore on its first day, marking the second-highest box office earnings for the day, just behind the Jr NTR starrer 'Devara', which grossed an estimated 20.50 crore across all languages. This debut is notable, especially considering it was a mid-week release coinciding with the Gandhi Jayanti holiday. However, it falls short of the first film's opening day collection of 4 crore in 2019.
The film's advance weekend booking in India surpassed the 10 crore mark, which is a positive indicator but still below expectations. The first installment of 'Joker' had grossed 64 crore in its entire run in India, and it remains to be seen if the sequel can match or exceed this figure.
Global Box Office Projections
Globally, 'Joker 2: Folie Deux' is projected to collect between $55 to $60 million in the USA and around $140 million worldwide on its opening weekend. This is a significant decline from the first film's opening weekend, which grossed $344 million worldwide and eventually reached $1.07 billion in its full run.
The film's budget is estimated at $190 million, or approximately 1594 crores in Indian rupees, making it a substantial investment that the box office performance will need to justify.
Critical and Audience Reception
Despite the strong cast and the addition of musical elements, 'Joker 2: Folie Deux' has received mixed reviews from critics. The film has been praised for its mature and less desperate portrayal of Gotham, but it has also been criticized for failing to live up to the standards set by its predecessor. The audience reception has been similarly divided, with some appreciating the performances of Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, while others find the film lacking in comparison to the original.
The film's performance is a stark contrast to other recent Hollywood releases, such as 'Deadpool & Wolverine' and 'Despicable Me 4', which have performed exceptionally well at the global box office.
For fans of the Joker franchise, the sequel's mixed reception may come as a surprise, given the critical acclaim and commercial success of the first film.
As the film continues its run, it will be interesting to see how it fares in the coming weeks and whether it can regain some of the momentum lost during its opening weekend.
