Quentin Tarantino Praises "Joker: Folie À Deux," Calling It A Bold “F*** You” To Hollywood And Comic Book Fans

Celebrated Director Quentin Tarantino Lauds Todd Phillips’ Provocative Take On Joker: Folie À Deux, Applauding Its An Adacious Approach And Joaquin Phoenix’s Gripping Performance.

 

Renowned filmmaker Quentin Tarantino recently shared his high praise for Todd Phillips' Joker: Folie À Deux on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, highlighting the film's bold stance within the comic book and Hollywood genres. Known for pushing boundaries in his own films, Tarantino found himself unexpectedly drawn into Phillips' latest Joker installment, which stars Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. He described the film as not only entertaining but also a deliberate and defiant statement aimed squarely at the Hollywood establishment and comic book purists.

Tarantino admitted that he went into the screening with measured expectations, anticipating an intellectually stimulating but perhaps emotionally detached experience. However, he was quickly taken aback by how fully the film drew him in. “I really, really liked it, really,” he shared, emphasizing that it surpassed his initial expectations. He continued, “A lot. Like, tremendously, and I went to see it expecting to be impressed by the filmmaking.” Tarantino, known for his own distinct cinematic style, found himself captivated not only by the direction but also by Phoenix’s portrayal of Arthur Fleck, who he claims delivered “one of the best performances I’ve ever seen in my life.”

A distinctive feature of Joker: Folie À Deux that Tarantino particularly enjoyed was the film’s musical sequences. He admitted he “got really caught up” in the movie's aesthetic, humor, and even the seemingly trivial elements of the soundtrack. Remarking on the film’s unconventional song choices, he observed, “I thought the more banal the songs were, the better they were.” These sequences, in his view, reinforced the film’s defiant tone, adding a layer of absurdity that played well into the Joker’s chaotic world.

One of the more surprising facets of Tarantino’s admiration was his enjoyment of the film’s messy, almost anarchic structure. He conceded, “I’m just nihilistic enough to kind of enjoy a movie that doesn’t quite work as a movie. That’s like a big, giant mess to some degree.” This acknowledgment reveals a level of appreciation for movies that challenge traditional storytelling. While Joker: Folie À Deux might be polarizing for its unpredictable tone and unique narrative style, Tarantino sees this as a strength rather than a flaw, marking it as an unconventional masterpiece.

Perhaps the most striking part of Tarantino’s commentary on the film was his take on Phillips’ role as a metaphorical “Joker” behind the camera. Tarantino argued that Phillips himself embodied the Joker in his approach to making the film, treating Hollywood’s bigwigs and comic book fans with the same irreverence the Joker would. “The Joker directed the movie,” he explained. “The entire concept, even him spending the studio’s money — he’s spending it like the Joker would spend it, all right?” In Tarantino’s view, Phillips played the role of the classic prankster, pulling the strings and crafting a cinematic experience that was as much a statement on the industry as it was a piece of entertainment.

Tarantino didn’t stop at admiring Phillips’ directorial style; he suggested that Phillips intentionally set out to challenge audiences and fans, making a film that served as a kind of cinematic “jack-in-the-box.” This bold artistic choice, Tarantino believes, is Phillips’ way of saying, “f*** you to all of them… to the movie audience, to Hollywood, to anybody who owns any stock at DC and Warner Brothers.” For Tarantino, Phillips’ approach isn’t simply a creative decision but a direct confrontation with the expectations placed on comic book adaptations, especially in an era where superhero films dominate the box office.

Phoenix’s portrayal of Arthur Fleck, however, remains one of the film’s highest achievements in Tarantino’s eyes. He lauded Phoenix’s ability to capture the intensity and unpredictability of the Joker, saying it was “one of the best performances” he had ever witnessed. Phoenix, reprising his Oscar-winning role, brought an intensity to Folie À Deux that matched the film’s rebellious spirit, adding depth and a humanizing layer to the story.

As Tarantino summed up his experience, it became clear that his admiration for Joker: Folie À Deux wasn’t just about its production values or star performances. It was about the movie’s audacity to challenge norms, disregard expectations, and reflect the Joker’s essence through the creative vision of Todd Phillips. In calling Phillips the true Joker of the film, Tarantino sees Folie À Deux as a raw, unfiltered artistic statement that embodies a creative “f*** you” to the Hollywood establishment. This defiance of convention, he suggests, is what makes the movie a noteworthy addition to both the comic book genre and modern cinema.

Ultimately, Tarantino’s commentary shines a light on the intricate relationship between artistic vision and industry pressures in Hollywood. With Joker: Folie À Deux, Phillips appears to have crafted a film that doesn’t just tell a story but actively pushes back against the limitations often imposed on blockbusters. For fans of Joker, Tarantino’s approval may serve as an invitation to view the film through a new lens, appreciating its humor, absurdity, and unrestrained expression.

Source: Deadline

Photo Credit: DC

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