Content Testing
Joker: Folie à Deux
How Lumiere Predicted the Sequel's Flop
Joker: Folie à Deux was one of the most buzzed-about sequels in recent memory—an ambitious follow-up to a psychologically rich original, made even bolder by the introduction of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn and the surprising twist of turning the dark character study into a musical. But while the marketing had fans curious, Lumiere helped reveal the deeper truth: the elements fans were most uncertain about turned out to be the very aspects that ultimately failed to resonate—both with audiences and critics. This case study highlights how Lumiere’s testing uncovered red flags that could have steered creative decisions before it was too late.
The Gaga Factor
Lumiere captured real-time fan reactions to Lady Gaga's casting using a targeted slider question: "How interested are you in seeing Lady Gaga’s performance as Harley Quinn?" Overall interest came in at 7.6/10—seemingly positive. But non-fans of Gaga responded with a low 4.8/10, foreshadowing disinterest and even alienation. This subtle yet crucial segmentation revealed a major challenge for the film: audiences who weren’t already Lady Gaga fans had little emotional investment in the casting. Since Gaga’s performance was central to the film, this disconnect created a perception gap that critics would later confirm—calling the film hollow beyond the two lead performances. Thanks to Lumiere’s segmented response capabilities, we were able to predict this before the film’s release, offering a critical opportunity to rethink marketing strategies or address narrative framing.
The Gaga Factor
Lumiere captured real-time fan reactions to Lady Gaga's casting using a targeted slider question: "How interested are you in seeing Lady Gaga’s performance as Harley Quinn?" Overall interest came in at 7.6/10—seemingly positive. But non-fans of Gaga responded with a low 4.8/10, foreshadowing disinterest and even alienation. This subtle yet crucial segmentation revealed a major challenge for the film: audiences who weren’t already Lady Gaga fans had little emotional investment in the casting. Since Gaga’s performance was central to the film, this disconnect created a perception gap that critics would later confirm—calling the film hollow beyond the two lead performances. Thanks to Lumiere’s segmented response capabilities, we were able to predict this before the film’s release, offering a critical opportunity to rethink marketing strategies or address narrative framing.
The Gaga Factor
Lumiere captured real-time fan reactions to Lady Gaga's casting using a targeted slider question: "How interested are you in seeing Lady Gaga’s performance as Harley Quinn?" Overall interest came in at 7.6/10—seemingly positive. But non-fans of Gaga responded with a low 4.8/10, foreshadowing disinterest and even alienation. This subtle yet crucial segmentation revealed a major challenge for the film: audiences who weren’t already Lady Gaga fans had little emotional investment in the casting. Since Gaga’s performance was central to the film, this disconnect created a perception gap that critics would later confirm—calling the film hollow beyond the two lead performances. Thanks to Lumiere’s segmented response capabilities, we were able to predict this before the film’s release, offering a critical opportunity to rethink marketing strategies or address narrative framing.
Musical Misfire
When viewers were asked about their thoughts on the film being a musical, Lumiere’s open-response comment threads painted a clear picture of confusion, frustration, and disbelief. Critics echoed this exact sentiment post-release. Many reviews cited the musical format as misguided and distracting, with The New York Times describing it as "Make 'em laugh (and yawn)." Had creative teams fully understood just how skeptical audiences were of this genre pivot, they might have been empowered to retool the format, better prepare audiences, or even course-correct altogether.
Musical Misfire
When viewers were asked about their thoughts on the film being a musical, Lumiere’s open-response comment threads painted a clear picture of confusion, frustration, and disbelief. Critics echoed this exact sentiment post-release. Many reviews cited the musical format as misguided and distracting, with The New York Times describing it as "Make 'em laugh (and yawn)." Had creative teams fully understood just how skeptical audiences were of this genre pivot, they might have been empowered to retool the format, better prepare audiences, or even course-correct altogether.
Musical Misfire
When viewers were asked about their thoughts on the film being a musical, Lumiere’s open-response comment threads painted a clear picture of confusion, frustration, and disbelief. Critics echoed this exact sentiment post-release. Many reviews cited the musical format as misguided and distracting, with The New York Times describing it as "Make 'em laugh (and yawn)." Had creative teams fully understood just how skeptical audiences were of this genre pivot, they might have been empowered to retool the format, better prepare audiences, or even course-correct altogether.
The Missing Plot
Lumiere’s multiple-choice question—"What are you looking forward to most in this movie?"—delivered a clear verdict: 57% of viewers chose “The Plot” as their primary expectation. Unfortunately, this turned out to be the film’s most widely criticized element. With critics panning the movie as “self-indulgent,” “plotless,” and “very, very disappointing,” Lumiere's results predicted the disconnect between fan expectations and final execution long before reviews rolled in. This insight wasn’t just a warning sign—it was a roadmap for what mattered most to audiences.
The Missing Plot
Lumiere’s multiple-choice question—"What are you looking forward to most in this movie?"—delivered a clear verdict: 57% of viewers chose “The Plot” as their primary expectation. Unfortunately, this turned out to be the film’s most widely criticized element. With critics panning the movie as “self-indulgent,” “plotless,” and “very, very disappointing,” Lumiere's results predicted the disconnect between fan expectations and final execution long before reviews rolled in. This insight wasn’t just a warning sign—it was a roadmap for what mattered most to audiences.
The Missing Plot
Lumiere’s multiple-choice question—"What are you looking forward to most in this movie?"—delivered a clear verdict: 57% of viewers chose “The Plot” as their primary expectation. Unfortunately, this turned out to be the film’s most widely criticized element. With critics panning the movie as “self-indulgent,” “plotless,” and “very, very disappointing,” Lumiere's results predicted the disconnect between fan expectations and final execution long before reviews rolled in. This insight wasn’t just a warning sign—it was a roadmap for what mattered most to audiences.
Conclusion: Insight Before Impact
Joker: Folie à Deux is a masterclass in how audience perception can diverge from creative ambition—and how Lumiere can help bridge that gap before it becomes irreversible. With Lumiere, we weren’t just capturing reactions—we were forecasting risk. The software's ability to analyze viewer sentiment, segment audience reactions, and surface pain points early in development is exactly what studios need to prevent misfires like this. If the franchise had leveraged Lumiere earlier in the process, it could have avoided alienating non-fans, adjusted expectations around the musical format, and addressed the plot-related concerns that ultimately drove disappointment. In short, Lumiere could have saved the Joker sequel from becoming the punchline.
Conclusion: Insight Before Impact
Joker: Folie à Deux is a masterclass in how audience perception can diverge from creative ambition—and how Lumiere can help bridge that gap before it becomes irreversible. With Lumiere, we weren’t just capturing reactions—we were forecasting risk. The software's ability to analyze viewer sentiment, segment audience reactions, and surface pain points early in development is exactly what studios need to prevent misfires like this. If the franchise had leveraged Lumiere earlier in the process, it could have avoided alienating non-fans, adjusted expectations around the musical format, and addressed the plot-related concerns that ultimately drove disappointment. In short, Lumiere could have saved the Joker sequel from becoming the punchline.
Conclusion: Insight Before Impact
Joker: Folie à Deux is a masterclass in how audience perception can diverge from creative ambition—and how Lumiere can help bridge that gap before it becomes irreversible. With Lumiere, we weren’t just capturing reactions—we were forecasting risk. The software's ability to analyze viewer sentiment, segment audience reactions, and surface pain points early in development is exactly what studios need to prevent misfires like this. If the franchise had leveraged Lumiere earlier in the process, it could have avoided alienating non-fans, adjusted expectations around the musical format, and addressed the plot-related concerns that ultimately drove disappointment. In short, Lumiere could have saved the Joker sequel from becoming the punchline.
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Want to know even more about what audiences found compelling in these clips? Or what they might find particularly engaging in your content? Reach out to us!
Want to know even more about what audiences found compelling in these clips? Or what they might find particularly engaging in your content? Reach out to us!
Want to know even more about what audiences found compelling in these clips? Or what they might find particularly engaging in your content? Reach out to us!
