Watch: Lady Gaga, Joaquin Phoenix's Joker: Folie a Deux Earn 11-Minute Standing Ovation At Venice Film Festival

Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie a Deux has finally made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, earning an impressive 11-minute standing ovation. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the highly anticipated sequel is slated for theatrical release in October. The villainous musical sequel captivated the audience on Wednesday night, with the entire team, including Phillips and the lead stars, deeply moved by the enthusiastic reception.

Videos circulating online show the audience erupting in applause, with chants of ‘Brava’ and enthusiastic whistles for Gaga and Joaquin filling the theatre. During the extended standing ovation, the actors were seen engaged in a deep conversation, likely discussing the film and their initial reactions to the audience’s response.

While Lady Gaga waved at the audience after receiving a warm applause by staying for an extra minute or so, Phoenix exited the stage first. Prior to the premiere, Phoenix spent a lot of time on the red carpet with his fans by taking selfies and signing autographs. Gaga also created a frenzy as soon as she arrived at the venue, making photographers trip over each other to take a shot of the pop superstar.

The first reviews for Joker: Folie a Deux have started rolling in. Venice Film Festival chief Alberto Barbera has praised the film as the “most daring, brave, and creative” recent entry in American cinema, according to Deadline. Meanwhile, David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter lauded the performances by Phoenix and Gaga but criticised the film’s narrative, calling it “thin and dull.” The Independent’s Geoffrey Macnab shared how Phillips brings a sense of fun to his direction with the use of musical numbers and Hollywood references to add flair.

More About The Joker Sequel

A follow-up to Phillips’s 2019 film Joker, Folie a Deux picks after the events of the first film. Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck aka The Joker, is now in the asylum waiting for his trial. As the story unfolds, he ends up meeting his true love and breaks free. The first Joker film was also premiered at the Venice Film Festival, and it even won the prestigious Golden Lion.

Besides, the film also won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Phoenix’s performance.