Paul Schrader Walked Out of ‘Joker 2’ After 15 Minutes to Go Buy Something, Then Returned and Could Only Last 10 Minutes: ‘A Really Bad Musical’

As a film connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the intricacies of storytelling and character development, I find myself deeply moved by Paul Schrader‘s bold stance on “Joker: Folie à Deux”. His career, spanning iconic works like “Taxi Driver”, has undeniably shaped the narrative landscape of modern cinema. His ability to walk away from a film after just 20 minutes speaks volumes about his discernment and the depth of his cinematic knowledge.


Paul Schrader attended a screening of “Joker: Folie à Deux” at the cinema but found himself unable to continue watching after just about 20 minutes due to its intensity. The second installment of “Joker”, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, has underperformed financially at the box office, facing a potential loss of $150 million to $200 million over its run, largely due to poor reviews.

According to Schrader, he watched approximately 10 to 15 minutes of it during his conversation with Jeremy O. Harris for Interview magazine. He then stepped out, purchased something, and returned to watch an additional 10 minutes. This brief viewing, he stated, was sufficient for him.

Paul Schrader’s illustrious body of work includes penning the scripts for films such as “Taxi Driver,” which played a significant role in inspiring the first “Joker” movie from 2019. Subsequently, he deemed the sequel to be a “really bad musical.

He remarked that he wasn’t fond of either Lady Gaga or Phoenix. In fact, he disliked them both as actors and as characters. He went on to say that he found their entire persona unappealing. To put it simply, if they were to visit his home, he would discreetly leave through the back door.

With much excitement building for “Joker: Folie à Deux” following the 2019 movie’s success, which made a billion dollars at the global box office and won Phoenix the Best Actor Oscar, the sequel faced an abrupt turn when it received negative reviews after its debut at the Venice Film Festival. The film opened to just $37 million in North American cinemas, according to EbMaster’s reports. The sequel is predicted to earn around $210 million worldwide, significantly less than the original “Joker” film’s global gross of $248.4 million after only three days in theaters.

In his critique of the follow-up film, Owen Gleiberman from EbMaster’s commented: “The idea is daring, yet the realization falls short, as this movie seems to retreat from the intensity of ‘Joker.’ The selection of Lady Gaga for the cast initially seemed intriguing due to her acting talents and affinity for musical productions. However, in ‘Folie à Deux,’ Lady Gaga’s performance is surprisingly limited despite her natural charm.

“Joker: Folie à Deux” continues to play in theaters nationwide.

Read More

2024-10-15 17:16