‘Boring’: Gaga’s movie divides critics

It’s the sequel to one of the most successful superhero movies ever, but the reaction to Joker 2 has been a huge surprise to fans.

Lady Gaga has a flop movie on her hands, it seems.

The pop star is starring in Joker 2, which is the sequel to the hugely successful DC superhero movie that proved a massive hit with critics and fans alike.

Sadly for Gaga, she’s hitched her name to the sequel, which is being labelled a “bomb” by critics who have savaged the flick now the review embargo is up.

The movie, which made the controversial decision to be a musical, has failed to impress critics and is currently clinging to a “Fresh” rating by just 1 per cent after initially debuting to 59 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

Actress and singer Lady Gaga and US actor Joaquin Phoenix star in Joker: Folie a deux. Photo: Marco BERTORELLO / AFP.

A review at IGN gave the movie just 5/10, calling it a “courtroom drama, and not a very interesting one at that.”

The BBC gave the film just 2/5, calling it “boring” and “disappointing”, while Vanity Fair critic Richard Lawson writes of the film, “It’s startlingly dull, a pointless procedural that seems to disdain its audience.”

Among the most damning reviews of the movie comes from IndieWire critic David Ehrlich, whose headline reads: “Joker: Folie à Deux Review: Todd Phillips’ Musical Sequel Feels Like It’s Bad on Purpose.”

Ehrlich doesn’t let up on his criticism in the subhead of his review, adding, “Boring, flat, and such a criminal waste of Lady Gaga that we should demand a public hearing, Folie à Deux tries and fails to make a point of our own.”

Gaga’s performance has been called a highlight of an otherwise “boring” and “disappointing” sequel. Photo: KENA BETANCUR / AFP.

However, while many reviews lay into the movie, Gaga will at least be pleased to see most suggest her performance is a highlight.

David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter praised the singer, saying: “Gaga is a compelling live-wire presence, splitting the difference between affinity and obsession.”

With Todd Phillips back as director, Phoenix, who recently sparked controversy after dropping out of a movie, reprises his role as the Joker from the first film, which was a huge worldwide hit in 2019.

That film earned over $1 billion at the global box office and more than $27 million here in Australia.

2019’s Joker was also a hit during award season, earning 11 nominations at the Academy Awards and delivering Phoenix a Best Actor win. However, following the reviews, the sequel will unlikely become a major awards season contender.