Quentin Tarantino Lauds Joaquin Phoenix And Lady Gaga For Their Performance In ‘Joker: Folie A Deux’

October 31, 2024: Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has expressed high praise for Joker: Folie a Deux, the sequel to the acclaimed 2019 film, which stars Lady Gaga alongside Joaquin Phoenix. In this installment, Gaga plays Harleen “Lee” Quinzel, who evolves into Harley Quinn, while Phoenix reprises his role as Arthur Fleck, the Joker.

The film, which premiered on October 4, has been noted for its unique musical elements, building on Phoenix’s dance scenes from the first film. Tarantino described his experience of watching the sequel as unexpectedly immersive, stating, “I really, really liked it, really. A lot. Like, tremendously.” He anticipated an intellectual exercise but was captivated by the storytelling and performances.

Tarantino specifically lauded Phoenix’s portrayal, calling it one of the best performances he’s ever seen, and highlighted Gaga’s role as well. He noted that while the original Joker drew inspiration from Taxi Driver, this sequel feels reminiscent of Natural Born Killers, remarking, “That’s the Natural Born Killers I would have dreamed of seeing.”

With a strong supporting cast that includes Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, and Zazie Beetz, Joker: Folie a Deux is being celebrated for its artistic ambition and emotional depth. Tarantino also appreciated the musical sequences, finding a new appreciation for the lyrics of songs featured in the film.

The sequel has already made waves at the box office and continues to receive critical acclaim, solidifying its place in cinematic discussions.