Pop music icon and acclaimed actress Lady Gaga recently shared her thoughts on the critical and fan reception to her latest film, *Joker: Folie à Deux*. In her role as a more grounded version of the iconic DC villain Harley Quinn, Gaga ventured into new territory, also releasing a companion album titled *Harlequin*. Despite the film's less-than-stellar reception upon its release last October, Gaga has remained largely silent about her involvement until now. In a candid conversation with Elle, she opened up about navigating the negative feedback.
Gaga expressed a pragmatic view on the film's reception, stating, "People just sometimes don’t like some things. 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." Her approach to handling criticism highlights her resilience and dedication to her craft, acknowledging that not every project will resonate with everyone but emphasizing the importance of moving forward.
*Joker: Folie à Deux*, a follow-up to director Todd Phillips' highly successful 2019 film, received mixed reviews, currently holding a 31% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from both critics and audiences. Our own review scored it a 5/10, describing it as a "mediocre" film that failed to capitalize on its potential as a movie musical, courtroom drama, and sequel. The film's underwhelming theatrical run led to an early digital release, a move that Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav later described as "disappointing."
Reflecting on 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 with *Joker: Folie à Deux*, Gaga is not slowing down. She recently announced her new studio album, *Mayhem*, set to release in March, marking the end of a five-year hiatus since her last album, *Chromatica*.
For more insights on *Joker: Folie à Deux*, you can explore why Quentin Tarantino praised the sequel and Hideo Kojima's perspective on how the film's reception may evolve over time. Additionally, you can find our list of the biggest disappointments of 2024 here.
