There’s a new villain in town.

Joker: Foil for Two premiered this week at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival. Stars Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, as well as director Todd Phillips, were on hand to celebrate the film, which officially hits theaters on October 4.

Joker: Foil for Two follows Phoenix’s return as Arthur Fleck, also known as the Joker, who is now imprisoned in Arkham Asylum. There he meets Gaga’s Harleen “Lee” Quinzel and they form a powerfully chaotic bond with the goal of causing chaos throughout Gotham City. Unlike the first joker The sequel to the film includes a series of musical numbers in which fans see Gaga in her element.

While critics generally praised Gaga’s subtle but scheming Lee, many had actually hoped to see more of her in the music-focused film, considering her “underused.” See what critics said about Gaga’s performance in Joker: Foil for Two below.

“Gaga is cleverly understated, not the Harley Quinn we associate with Margot Robbie, but a character in her own right, dressed casually and believably showing affection and connection with the Joker and, more importantly, the man behind the makeup.” – Deadline

“The casting of Lady Gaga certainly sounded promising, because she is a great actress and was sent to earth (among other things) to do musicals. But Gaga, who has a beautiful, unforced presence in Slide for twois drastically understaffed. Her Lee never really gets going.” – diversity

“Lady Gaga brings a sly and manipulative malice to her role: Harley is secretive, clever and genuinely disturbed, which Arthur/Joker may not be. Is she supposed to be the Lady Macbeth of DC supervillains?” – The Guardian

“Gaga is a captivating, dynamic presence who straddles the line between affection and obsession, while endearingly bringing a dash of joy and hope to Arthur, who sings ‘When You’re Smiling’ on his way to court.” – The Hollywood Reporter

“Gaga looks like she’s a Manson girl who came off the set of Once upon a time… in Hollywoodand plays Harleen with an appealingly cat-like cruelty.” – The Independent UK

“Phillips’ decision to cast a generational superstar in a role that seems designed to showcase both her outstanding talent as a singer And her all-consuming screen presence as an actress just so he can put her in the back of a courtroom when he’s not cutting off her musical numbers… well, that’s way more criminal than anything Arthur Fleck ever does in this movie.” – IndieWire