John Waters Defends Critically Panned ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ as a Top Film of 2024

The cult director praised the divisive sequel for its audacious style, standout performances, and subversive storytelling.

John Waters ranked 'Joker: Folie à Deux' sixth on his annual list of the best films of 2024, published by Vulture.
Waters described the film as a bold, well-directed love story with a mix of musical and cinematic influences, while criticizing its negative reception by critics.
The sequel, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, has been both a critical and commercial disappointment, grossing $206 million worldwide compared to the original’s $1 billion.
Quentin Tarantino also defended the film earlier this year, praising Joaquin Phoenix’s performance and Todd Phillips’ unconventional directorial approach.
Despite its polarizing reception, Waters highlighted the film’s uniqueness and placed it alongside other acclaimed works in his top ten list.