Joker: Folie à Deux was released in October and received mostly negative reactions from both fans and critics. While some praised Joaquin Phoenix’s performance and the film’s production, many felt the story was slow, repetitive, and lacking depth. Audience reactions were also poor, with a “D” grade from CinemaScore and few positive reviews, causing some critics to call it a “complete audience rejection” and a “disastrous” sequel to Joker.

Despite the backlash, a few industry heavyweights, including Francis Ford Coppola and Quentin Tarantino, defended the movie.

Tarantino said he liked Folie à Deux because it was better than he expected. He thought he would only appreciate the filmmaking from an intellectual point of view, but instead, he found it more engaging and enjoyable as a movie. He really enjoyed it and was impressed by how well it worked as a film.

I really, really liked it, really. A lot. Like, tremendously, and I went to see it expecting to be impressed by the filmmaking. But I thought it was going to be an arms-length, intellectual exercise that ultimately I wouldn’t think worked like a movie, but that I would appreciate it for what it is.

Tarantino said Todd Phillips captured the spirit of the Joker in how he made the film. By using the studio’s money in bold, unexpected ways and challenging what audiences and the industry expected, Phillips was making a rebellious statement.

Tarantino feels that Phillips, like the Joker, is giving a defiant “thumbs down” to comic book fans, Hollywood, and even the companies at DC and Warner Bros., creating a chaotic, unpredictable movie.

Tarantino, known for his unconventional opinions, received backlash for the way he praised the film, which upset some viewers. He decided to address the criticism during his appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

I go on a show and I say that I like ‘Joker 2.’ Now there are 150 articles on it. One person listens to the thing and writes an article about it and there are 150 ripoff articles on that. And then you read the comments: ‘Quentin is a fucking asshole. That movie fucking sucks. He’s a fucking asshole for saying that.’

Why am I a fucking asshole? I liked the fucking movie! That makes me a fucking asshole? You either like the movie or you don’t. I’m not plugging the movie. I’m not doing anything. I’m just saying I like it. Who gives a fuck what I like? What do you care what the fuck I like?

Everyone has the right to their opinion, and it’s not okay to criticize someone just for liking something. But really, is this the first time he’s been online?

Tarantino also got frustrated with people criticizing him for not liking or engaging with certain things. He thinks it’s unfair for others to judge his preferences, and he pointed out that there are many things he could say others are missing out on, but he doesn’t care about that either.

Then they say I’m a fucking asshole for not seeing something. What the fuck do you care what I see or don’t see? Someone will say, ‘Well I think he’s missing out.’ Well I am sure there is a lot of shit I could say you’re missing out on and I don’t care if you miss out on.

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