Cult filmmaker and self-proclaimed “King of Filth” John Waters isn’t shying away from controversy, praising the critically panned Joker: Folie à Deux in his annual Vulture Top 10 list.
Waters hailed the Todd Phillps-directed sequel as “well directed” and applauded Lady Gaga’s performance, ranking the film sixth among his favorite releases of the year.
In regards to this, Waters quipped in his list, “Finally, a love story I can relate to. 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!”
According to Deadline, despite Waters’ endorsement, Folie à Deux struggled at the box office, grossing $206 million on a $190 million budget and earning a meager 32% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Moreover, Waters’ praise follows similar comments by Quentin Tarantino, who also defended the film.
Meanwhile, Topping Waters’ list this year was Rose Glass’ Love Lies Bleeding, described as a “hilarious, bloody film noir” that channels the spirit of Russ Meyer, while Luca Guadagnino’s radical adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ Queer came in second.
As per the publication, in his signature provocative style, Waters highlighted Daniel Craig’s performance in Queer, describing him as “absolutely brilliant” and calling the film a “reminder of a s** act I had long forgotten. Oh, if today’s homos were this radical, I’d be a much happier queer myself.”
Furthermore, other notable entries include Jacques Audiard’s musical Emilia Perez, which Waters likened to The Rocky Cartel Horror Picture Show, and Halina Reijn’s Babygirl, praised for Nicole Kidman’s daring role as a “verbal power-bottom cougar.”
