Lady Gaga Addresses Criticism of Joker 2: 'Some Things Just Aren't Liked'

Pop music icon and acclaimed actress Lady Gaga recently broke her silence on the lukewarm reception to her latest cinematic venture, "Joker: Folie à Deux." Gaga, who took on the role of a more grounded Harley Quinn, accompanied the film with a thematic album titled "Harlequin." Despite the movie's release last October, she had remained relatively quiet about its critical and fan backlash until now. In an insightful conversation with Elle, Gaga discussed how she navigates the negativity surrounding a project's release, emphasizing the importance of managing expectations.

"People just sometimes don’t like some things," Gaga remarked candidly. "It’s that simple. And I think to be an artist, you have to be willing for people to sometimes not like it. And you keep going even if something didn’t connect in the way that you intended."

"Joker: Folie à Deux," a sequel to director Todd Phillips' blockbuster 2019 film, received less-than-stellar reviews upon its premiere, currently holding a 31% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from both critics and audiences. Our own review pegged it as "mediocre," suggesting it failed to capitalize on its potential as a movie musical, courtroom drama, and a sequel with significant commentary on its predecessor. The film's theatrical run was short-lived, leading to a swift transition to digital platforms. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav later labeled the film's performance as "disappointing."

Addressing the fear of failure, Gaga noted, "When that makes its way into your life, that can be hard to get control of. It’s part of the mayhem." Despite the setback, Gaga is not slowing down. She announced her upcoming studio album, "Mayhem," set for release this March, marking the end of a five-year hiatus since her last album, "Chromatica."

For further insights on "Joker: Folie à Deux," you can explore why Quentin Tarantino praised the sequel and why Hideo Kojima believes its reception will evolve over time. Additionally, check out our comprehensive list of the biggest disappointments of 2024 here.