Just three weeks ago, tracking services pegged the movie for a $70 million debut, which would still have been down a fair amount from “Joker’s” record-breaking $96.2 million launch in Oct. 2019. Reviews were mixed out of the Venice Film Festival, where it premiered in competition like the first movie and even got a 12-minute standing ovation.

The bleak musical drama is on track to open to around $45 million, less than half of what the 2019 version made on its first weekend.

"Joker: Folie à Deux" is off to a shaky performance at the domestic box office after earning $20 million from 4,102 locations across Friday and preview screenings. Rivals estimate that Warner Bros.’ sequel to the 2019 DC Comic book film "Joker” will open south of $50 million.