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

Pop music icon and actress Lady Gaga has recently spoken out about the critical reception to her latest film, "Joker: Folie à Deux." Despite her usual reticence on the subject, Gaga shared her thoughts in an interview with Elle, discussing her role as a more grounded version of the DC comics villain Harley Quinn and the accompanying album, "Harlequin."

Addressing the film's negative feedback, Gaga expressed a philosophical stance on criticism. "People just sometimes don’t like some things," she stated. "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, premiered in October to a lukewarm response. It holds a disappointing 31% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from both critics and audiences. Our own review gave it a 5/10, describing it as a "mediocre" film that failed to capitalize on its potential as a musical, a courtroom drama, and a sequel with meaningful commentary on its predecessor. The movie's theatrical run was so lackluster that it transitioned to a digital release within weeks, prompting Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav to label its performance as "disappointing."

Reflecting on the fear of failure, Gaga remarked, "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 remains undeterred, focusing on her next project. She announced that her new studio album, "Mayhem," will be released in March, ending a five-year hiatus since her last album, "Chromatica."

For further insights on "Joker: Folie à Deux," explore why Quentin Tarantino says he loved the sequel and why Hideo Kojima believes the movie’s reception will change over time. Additionally, you can review our compilation of the most significant disappointments of 2024 here.