Quentin Tarantino recently shared his enthusiastic views on Joker: Folie à Deux, the sequel to the critically divisive Joker film. Contrary to many detractors, Tarantino regards the movie as a spiritual successor to his own classic, Natural Born Killers. During a conversation on the Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, he expressed his admiration for Todd Phillips’ direction, suggesting that the film embodies the essence of the Joker himself.
A Surprise Reaction
In a recent episode of the Video Archives Podcast, co-hosted with Roger Avary, Tarantino described his unexpected reaction to the film. Despite his initial expectations of a detached intellectual exercise, he found himself deeply engaged. “I really, really liked it,” he stated, emphasizing his enjoyment of the musical sequences. “The more banal the songs were, the better they were,” he added, illustrating his appreciation for the film’s unique approach.
Tarantino’s enthusiasm for Joker: Folie à Deux came after watching it in an almost empty IMAX theater in Tel Aviv. He compared the film’s characters, Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck and Lady Gaga’s Lee Quinzel, to Mickey and Mallory, the iconic couple from Natural Born Killers. He noted that while the first Joker paid homage to Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver and King of Comedy, this sequel feels distinctly influenced by his own work.
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Comparing Influences
As Tarantino reflected on the film’s narrative, he claimed, “As much as the first one was indebted to Taxi Driver, this seems pretty f—ing indebted to Natural Born Killers, which I wrote.” He described the sequel as a version of Natural Born Killers that he always envisioned. “I loved what they did with it,” he praised, highlighting the film’s chaotic, fever-dream atmosphere reminiscent of Mickey Knox’s adventures.
Moreover, Tarantino found humor in the film, recounting how he could laugh freely in the near-empty theater. He also praised Phoenix’s performance, calling it “one of the best performances I’ve ever seen in my life in this movie.” Tarantino expressed that the emotional depth of the film even moved him to tears at one point.
Todd Phillips as the Joker
Delving into Todd Phillips’ approach to directing, Tarantino suggested that the director embodies the Joker spirit. “Todd Phillips is the Joker. The Joker directed the movie,” he claimed, describing the film as a bold subversion of expectations. He noted that Phillips appears to challenge both the film audience and the Hollywood establishment, making a statement that resonates with the essence of the Joker character.
Avary added his perspective, mentioning that the film seemed to “weaponize” its influences, drawing on various cinematic traditions to deliver a potent cultural critique. He described the film as “insanely derivative,” yet skillfully crafted, with Phillips wielding these influences as tools against societal norms. Avary even interpreted the sequel as an origin story for the Joker portrayed by Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight.
Diverging Opinions
While Tarantino and Avary expressed admiration, Ellis voiced a contrasting opinion, aligning with the broader negative audience response. He found Joker: Folie à Deux to be “excruciating” and criticized its approach, suggesting it squandered many promising ideas. His perspective reflects a split among viewers, showcasing how the film provokes strong reactions across the board.
