Mia Dibb

Joker 2* feels like a misguided attempt to replicate the success of its predecessor, but it falls flat on almost every level. What made the first *Joker* compelling was its gritty, raw portrayal of a man's descent into madness, but the sequel seems to lack any fresh perspective. Instead, it rehashes similar themes with less impact, and the pacing drags, leaving long stretches of the film feeling tedious and repetitive. The characters feel underdeveloped, even the Joker himself, who comes off more like a caricature of his former self. The psychological depth and nuance that made Arthur Fleck so fascinating in the first movie is replaced by shallow plot devices and over-the-top sequences that feel out of place. Visually, the film tries too hard to be artistic, but the symbolism is heavy-handed, and it seems more focused on being provocative than telling a coherent story. Overall, *Joker 2* is a disappointing sequel that fails to live up to the dark brilliance of the original, leaving me more frustrated than entertained.