Joker: Folie à Deux secures top spot at the Razzie Awards nominations that recognizes Hollywood's worst

Joker: Folie à Deux, the highly anticipated sequel to the Oscar-winning Joker (2019), is the most nominated film at the Golden Raspberry Awards. Also known as the Razzies, the Raspberry Awards honor the year's most unremarkable films and performances. The film was nominated for seven awards, including Worst Picture, Worst Actor, and Worst Actress.

Complementing the Oscars with a satirical counterpart, the Razzies honor underwhelming cinematic efforts. Established in 1981, the honors have traditionally focused on movies judged poor by industry voters.

Though occasionally attacked for their irreverence, the Razzies remain a cultural pillar offering a tongue-in-cheek critique of Hollywood's less successful films.

Directed by Todd Phillips and featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in leading roles, the film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2024, and was later released on October 4, 2024. Despite its star power and the legacy of its predecessor, the film faced mixed reviews and commercial challenges.

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Joker: Folie à Deux takes the top spot in the Razzie Awards nominations

Although several other 2024 movies find themselves in the Razzie nominations, Joker: Folie à Deux leads the list with seven mentions. The film has been nominated for worst picture, director, screenplay, and prequel, remake, rip-off or sequel. The leading stars, Phoenix and Gaga, have been nominated for worst screen combo, as well as worst actor and worst actress, respectively. Phoenix won the Academy Award for best actor for his role in the 2019 prequel.

The original film turned out to be a critical and commercial success, earning over $1 billion globally. However, the sequel was panned and earned $206 million worldwide against a $200 million budget.

The characters of the movie delve into the dark complexities of Gotham City. Arthur Fleck, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, reprises his role as the Joker. In this sequel, Arthur is detained at Arkham State Hospital, grappling with the consequences of his actions.

Lady Gaga shows up as fellow prisoner Harley "Lee" Quinzel, fixated on Arthur's Joker persona. The emotional core of the movie is their relationship, marked by shared delusions and manipulation.

Todd Phillips’ direction sought to explore Arthur’s psyche further while introducing musical elements. However, this ambitious attempt failed to resonate with audiences and critics, with some calling it disjointed and overly indulgent.

Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinzel, reimagined as a morally ambiguous and manipulative character, added complexity but lacked the depth that resonated in her earlier roles.

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Other Razzie nominations

The Razzie Awards have spotlighted numerous other films and performances this year. Below are the key nominees:

Worst picture

• Borderlands
• Joker: Folie à Deux
• Madame Web
• Megalopolis
• Reagan

Worst director

• S.J. Clarkson (Madame Web)
• Francis Ford Coppola (Megalopolis)
• Todd Phillips (Joker: Folie à Deux)
• Eli Roth (Borderlands)
• Jerry Seinfeld (Unfrosted)

Worst actor

• Jack Black (Dear Santa)
• Zachary Levi (Harold and the Purple Crayon)
• Joaquin Phoenix (Joker: Folie à Deux)
• Dennis Quaid (Reagan)
• Jerry Seinfeld (Unfrosted)

Worst actress

• Cate Blanchett (Borderlands)
• Lady Gaga (Joker: Folie à Deux)
• Bryce Dallas Howard (Argylle)
• Dakota Johnson (Madame Web)
• Jennifer Lopez (Atlas)

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Everything to know about Joker: Folie à Deux

Joker: Folie à Deux, starring Joaquin Phoenix, is a psychological thriller and jukebox musical about Arthur Fleck. Arthur's complicated relationship with Harley Quinzel in Arkham State Hospital is depicted. This relationship shows Arthur's struggle with identity and social rejection through vulnerability and chaos.

Lady Gaga's portrayal of Harley Quinzel differs from her traditional comic book portrayal. Her unwavering admiration for Arthur precipitates Harley's moral uncertainty. Despite their uniqueness, the musical numbers in the film contributed to its mixed reception, as viewers questioned their compatibility with the plot.

The movie, which was shot in New York City and Los Angeles, aimed to capture Gotham’s gritty essence. Despite its ambitious storytelling, its reception has positioned it as a major talking point in Hollywood.

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Cast of the film

The movie features a star-studded ensemble:

• Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck / Joker
• Lady Gaga as Harley "Lee" Quinzel
• Brendan Gleeson as Jackie Sullivan
• Catherine Keener as Maryanne Stewart
• Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond
• Steve Coogan as Paddy Meyers
• Harry Lawtey as Harvey Dent
• Leigh Gill as Gary Puddles

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Joker: Folie à Deux has ignited discussions with its Razzie Awards recognition, signaling a drastic departure from the critical acclaim of its predecessor. Stay tuned for more news and updates on the movie and similar projects as the year progresses.