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Five years ago, when the Joker movie hit theaters, it was a box office success by all accounts. Many people became innately fascinated by the new version of this DC comic book character. Curious to see where director Todd Phillips would take titular protagonist Arthur Fleck, anticipation for a sequel film quickly emerged.

Joker: Folie à Deux arrived in cinemas earlier this month, picking up where the last film left off. This time, viewers see Fleck having to suffer the consequences of his actions in the prequel. During this journey, the titular character resides in Arkham Asylum while undergoing trial for his crimes. He also connects with a new love interest, Lee Quinn, portrayed by Lady Gaga.

Folie à Deux differs from its predecessor, adding musical segments that represent Fleck's internal fantasies and struggles. In the end, the character is also abruptly murdered by a fellow inmate who previously idolized him.

Given the new and somewhat unexpected turn of events, viewers are going online to weigh in with their thoughts about Joker 2.

Some people hate it

Folks who preferred 2019's Joker over the new sequel aren't shy in explaining why. Across various social media platforms, Folie à Deux has come under fire for a graphic scene in which Fleck appears to be sexually assaulted by multiple prison guards. It's after this attack that he renounced the Joker persona, stating before a jury it's not real.

Fans of the Joker, especially those who idolized him in 2019's movie, aren't happy with this and feel it does the character a disservice.

Other critics of Folie à Deux deemed its musical segments as unnecessary, stating the film would have been better sans characters breaking out into song.

Other people love it

Despite the backlash surrounding Joker 2, some people appreciate the direction this movie took. They maintain Fleck's journey in Folie à Deux was intentional and designed to send a message to people who identified with him.

Fleck, being a mass murderer and deeply unstable individual, isn't one that viewers should admire or aspire to be, argue certain Folie à Deux fans. Others have opined that Joker 2 brings Fleck's journey to a realistic end, given the doomed path he chose in the original movie.

So far, Joker: Folie à Deux is on track to earning $47 million during its opening weekend.