Nawal Sharma

This movie was a complete disaster—1/10, if that. Todd Phillips has lost touch with his own creation. In this second Joker film, he strips the character of his core essence, turning him into a weak, neutered version of what we saw in the first film. The first movie resonated because Joker stood up against society's elites, but now Phillips is backpedaling, almost telling us who we should and shouldn’t like. It’s condescending and misguided. The second film falls apart entirely. Lady Gaga, though talented, became the marker for the movie’s downfall—every scene with her sends the film spiraling. The musical numbers were fluff with no substance, and Joker was reduced to a shallow, watered-down version of himself. Case in point: a pointless sex scene that is completely out of character for the Joker, making him seem weak and unfocused. The entire movie feels like a paycheck grab, with no respect for the Joker's legacy or the source material. It’s a shameful mess, with none of the depth or purpose the character deserves. Disgraceful and empty—this franchise should have ended after the first film.