‘Joker 2’ Is One of the Best Movies of 2024, Says Director John Waters: ‘Stupid Critics. Gaga So Good. Die, Dumbbells, Die!’

variety.com:

Zack Sharf Digital News Director Quentin Tarantino made headlines for defending “Joker: Folie à Deux” earlier this year against the onslaught of critical pans, and now another filmmaker is joining him by naming the maligned “Joker” sequel one of the best movies of 2024. “Pink Flamingos” and “Hairspray” icon John Waters published his annual top 10 list on Vulture and “Joker: Folie à Deux” is in the sixth spot. “Finally, a love story I can relate to,” Waters rights. “So insane, so well thought out, so well directed, so much smoking!

It’s ‘Jailhouse Rock’ meets Busby Berkeley with a 9/11 ‘That’s Entertainment!’ ending that will make you shake your head in cinematic astonishment.

Stupid critics. Gaga so good. Joker so right. Die, dumbbells, die!” Waters’ list is topped by Kristen Stewart’s queer thriller “Love Lies Bleeding” and includes several Oscar contenders such as “The Brutalist,” “Emilia Perez,” “Hard Truths” and “Queer.” The “Joker” sequel is easily the most divisive film on the director’s list.

The film earned mostly negative reviews and flopped at the box office with $58 million domestically and $206 million worldwide, a far cry from the 2019 original’s $1 billion gross.