Quentin Tarantino made significant waves earlier this year by championing "Joker: Folie à Deux" against a barrage of critical criticism. Now, another influential figure, John Waters, has joined the fray by placing the maligned sequel in his top 10 for 2024.

A Battle of Opinions in the World of Cinema

Quentin Tarantino's Stand

During an October interview on "The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast," Tarantino was effusive in his praise for "Joker: Folie à Deux." He emphasized that Joaquin Phoenix delivered one of the greatest performances he had ever witnessed. Tarantino described how the film's director, Todd Phillips, embodied the Joker spirit. "The Joker directed the movie," he said. "The entire concept, even his spending of the studio's money - he's spending it like the Joker would, 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 fuck you to all of them. He's saying fuck you to the movie audience. He's saying fuck you to Hollywood. He's saying fuck you to anybody who owns any stock at DC and Warner Brothers […] And Todd Phillips is the Joker. Un film de Joker, all right, is what it is. He is the Joker."This defense by Tarantino shows his unwavering support for the film and his unique perspective on its artistic merit.

John Waters' List and His Take on "Joker: Folie à Deux"

"Pink Flamingos" and "Hairspray" icon John Waters published his annual top 10 list on Vulture, and "Joker: Folie à Deux" secured the sixth spot. Waters expressed his love for the film, stating, "Finally, a love story I can relate to. So insane, so well thought out, so well directed, so much smoking! It’s 'Jailhouse Rock' meets Busby Berkeley with a 9/11 'That’s Entertainment!' ending that will make you shake your head in cinematic astonishment. Stupid critics. Gaga so good. Joker so right. Die, dumbbells, die!" His list is topped by Kristen Stewart's queer thriller "Love Lies Bleeding" and includes several Oscar contenders such as "The Brutalist," "Emilia Perez," "Hard Truths" and "Queer." The "Joker" sequel stands out as the most divisive film on his list, having earned mostly negative reviews and underperforming at the box office with $58 million domestically and $206 million worldwide, a far cry from the 2019 original's $1 billion gross.This shows the contrasting views within the film industry and among audiences regarding this particular sequel.

Controversy and Dissent

Even actors who appeared in the movie have spoken out against it. Comedian Tim Dillon, who had a brief role as an Arkham Asylum security guard, went viral last month for his scathing review of "Joker: Folie à Deux" as "the worst film that has ever been made." He pointed out the lack of a plot and his disappointment during filming. "We would sit there, me and these other guys were all dressed in these security outfits because we’re working at the Arkham Asylum, and I would turn to one of them and we’d hear this crap and I’d go, ‘What the fuck is this?’ And they’d go, ‘This is going to bomb, man.’ I go, ‘This is the worst thing I’ve ever seen.’ We were talking about it at lunch, and we’d go, ‘What is the plot? Is there a plot? I don’t know, I think he falls in love with her in the prison?’ It’s not even hate-watchable. That’s how terrible it is."This highlights the wide range of opinions and the intense debate surrounding the film.Head over to Vulture’s website to read John Waters’ best movies of 2024 list in its entirety.