Nominations have been unveiled for the 2025 Golden Raspberry Awards, known as the Razzies, which honor the year's most disappointing films. Among the notable nominees is Joker: Folie à Deux, tied with six other films, including Borderlands, Madame Web, Megalopolis, and Reagan, all vying for the dubious title of Worst Picture.
This year's nominations reveal no outright frontrunner, creating intrigue among film fans and critics alike. The Razzies, voted on by over 1,200 movie enthusiasts, celebrate less-than-stellar cinematic efforts, and the nominations include significant contenders across various categories. The winners will be announced on Saturday, March 1, the day before the prestigious Oscars.
Joker: Folie à Deux features performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, both of whom have been nominated for acting categories. Phoenix sees competition from Jack Black for his roles in both Dear Santa and Badlands. Lady Gaga faces off against fellow actress Jennifer Lopez, Cate Blanchett, Dakota Johnson, and Bryce Dallas Howard, all nominated for Worst Actress.
Alongside acting nominations, director Todd Phillips has found himself nominated for Worst Director, up against notable names like Francis Ford Coppola and Jerry Seinfeld—who is also nominated for his role as Worst Actor for his part in Unfrosted. The irony of seasoned filmmakers like Phillips and Coppola receiving such nominations for their latest works raises questions about industry expectations versus audience response.
For the Worst Picture category, Joker: Folie à Deux is not alone. Jack Black's involvement has earned him nods not just for performance but also for the film Borderlands, which dominates the nominations, reflecting the critics' and audiences’ varied reception of his diverse roles.
The Razzies have historically served as counterprogramming to the glitzy Academy Awards, shedding light on performances and films often overlooked during traditional award seasons. This year’s nominations especially exemplify the dichotomy between artistic acclaim and popular opinion.
Joker: Folie à Deux and other duos from nominated films.
For the screenplay, Joker: Folie à Deux competes against films like Kraven the Hunter and Megalopolis, another indicator of the mixed reviews surrounding its narrative direction.
Fans of the Joker franchise may view these nominations as unjust, focusing instead on the film's artistic ambition and prior commercial success. Nevertheless, the film's box office performance has been called to question, particularly as it contends with high expectations set by its predecessor, Joker. The original film was praised both critically and commercially, making comparisons inevitable.
With less than eight weeks until the Razzie winners are announced, the buzz surrounding these nominations has reignited discussions about cinematic quality and audience expectations. The surprise presence of Joker: Folie à Deux within the Razzie nominations could influence how viewers decide to check out the film post-release.
The Razzies provide not only entertainment but also commentary on the film industry’s fickle nature, drawing attention to films often viewed as failures or disappointments. With big names involved, the conversations around these nominations will extend beyond the awards themselves, propelling discussions on what constitutes good filmmaking as the film industry continues to evolve.
Whether the nominations signal the end of favorable public sentiment for the Joker series remains to be seen. Audiences will watch closely as discussions build momentum leading up to the awards.
Overall, Joker: Folie à Deux appears poised to be regarded through the lens of both disappointment at the Razzies and praise at the Oscars, highlighting the complexity of modern filmmaking and viewer reception.