Hideo Kojima Thinks We’ll Learn to Love Joker 2 Soon Enough

When it comes to certain movies, there is such a thing as revisionist history as the years go by. Films that were once ripped apart by critics and moviegoers can sometimes be reappraised years after their release, with some going on to be called misunderstood masterpieces. Perhaps this will happen for Joker: Folie à Deux, which has quickly ended its theatrical run for the most part and is now on digital after dismal reviews and lackluster box office, at least according to video game creator Hideo Kojima.

The legendary auteur believes time will be kind to the Joker sequel and its “bad reputation” will ultimately disappear. Kojima took to his X page and let his 3.9 million followers know that he believes time away from Joker: Folie à Deux will benefit the film and that years down the line it will be respected for its big swings and bold moves. He began by saying:

“I watched
Joker: Folie à Deux.
The beginning of the film is an animation sequence, reminiscent of the nostalgic Looney Tunes, depicting a story of Joke and Joker’s shadow. In the trial that follows, the question of his multiple personality is argued from beginning to end. Is Joker Arthur? Is the Joker another personality (his shadow)? Who exactly is Arthur? This revelation eventually transforms into a meta-perspective. In the previous film, Joker, was it really Joker who captivated audiences around the world? Or was it Arthur? This question is constantly raised to Lee and even to the people of Gotham City within the film.”

He then commented on the fact that over the next one or two decades, the film will get the respect it deserves. As of right now, Joker: Folie à Deux is a certified box office flop for Warner Bros.

“We live in an age of mass production of ‘poetic justice’ heroes, a battle between good and evil. Lately, many spin-off films with a focus on the villains have been made. Can villains be superheroes too? Is this question posed on the big screen as a DC movie too avant-garde? Was it the Joker that audiences around the world loved? Was it Arthur? This is where the reviews have diverged. Over the next 10 or 20 years, this film’s reputation will likely change along with the permeation of hero movies to come. It may take some time for it to become a true ‘folie à deux.’ But there is no doubt that everyone in the audience loved Joaquin and Gaga in this film.”

Joker: Folie à Deux Has Another High-Profile Supporter

Kojima isn’t the first creator to sing the praises of Joker: Folie à Deux. Quentin Tarantino recently made headlines showing his support for the film and director Todd Phillips. This sentiment on social media has been mixed, with some moviegoers not agreeing with Tarantino’s assertion that it’s smart social commentary to spend $200 million of Warner Bros. money to make one big f*** you to the audience since the public drives the movie business by going to see films. Is it really smart to give them the finger? The debate continues. Tarantino’s words:

“The Joker directed the movie. The entire concept, even him spending the studio’s money, he’s spending it like the Joker would spend it all, all right? And then, his big surprise gift – haha! – the jack-in-the-box, when he offers you his hand for a handshake, and you get a buzzer with 10,000 volts shooting you – is the comic book geeks. He’s saying f**** you to all of them. He’s saying f*** you to the movie audience.”

That’s not to say that time won’t be kind to Joker: Folie à Deux. It has happened to many films before and, since movie criticism is all subjective, one person might see trash while someone else sees an artful masterpiece. It’s possible that the Joker sequel wasn’t what people expected it to be, following its billion-dollar-grossing predecessor. With a little time away from the sequel and a little room to breathe, the audience might find more to love about it.

Joker: Folie à Deux has all but ended its box office run with a domestic total of $58 million and $201.5 million worldwide on a $200 million budget, not including marketing costs. The film is expected to see a significant loss for Warner Bros. unless it has a great run on digital and picks up some solid physical media sales. Reviews were also on the low end for Joker: Folie à Deux, scoring a 32% rotten rating on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside a 32% audience score to match.