The criticism of Joker: Folie à Deux shows no signs of abating even a month into its theatrical run, with the latest wave of disapproval emerging from a rather unexpected source within the movie’s own cast and crew.
Comedian Tim Dillon, who made a brief appearance as a guard at the notorious Arkham Asylum in Todd Phillips‘ ambitious musical comic book sequel, didn’t hold back his disdain, labeling the film as “the worst film ever made” while recounting his surprising behind-the-scenes experiences.
Dillon went on to explain the shift in the film’s narrative tone by referencing the conversation that surrounded the original Joker film. He noted how critics and audiences remarked on its appeal to “the wrong kinds of people,” linking it to themes of “male rage” and “nihilism,” and suggested that the creators ultimately decided to pivot away from such themes. “What if we went the other way?” he mused during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. This led to a bizarre spectacle involving Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga performing tap dance numbers that Dillon described as “insane.”
Dillon’s harsh critique included an alarming assertion that the film lacks any coherent plot. While dressed in their security outfits for Arkham Asylum, he shared that he and fellow cast members frequently expressed disbelief at the disjointed storytelling. “What the f— is this?” he recalled asking a colleague, who nodded in agreement and remarked, “This is going to bomb, man.” Their lunchtime discussions were filled with confusion over the narrative, leaving them to ponder whether there was even a plot, with Dillon concluding, “It’s not even hate-watchable. That’s how terrible it is.”
Following the first Joker movie’s staggering box office success, raking in $1.078 billion and winning two Academy Awards, this year’s sequel has underperformed critically and commercially, managing to gross only $204 million globally thus far.
Amidst the backlash from notable figures like Paul Schrader and Bill Maher, video game visionary Hideo Kojima shared an optimistic perspective, predicting that the film could evolve into a cult classic in the decades to come. Additionally, acclaimed filmmaker Quentin Tarantino came to the defense of the movie, passionately expressing his approval.
Tarantino exclaimed, “I really, really liked it, really. A lot. Like, tremendously,” elaborating on his admiration for Phillips’ audacious approach. “He’s saying f— you to all of them. He’s saying f— you to the movie audience. He’s saying f— you to Hollywood. He’s saying f— you to anybody who owns any stock at DC and Warner Brothers. And Todd Phillips is the Joker. Un film de Joker, all right, is what it is. He is the Joker.”
**Interview with Tim Dillon on His Experience with ”Joker: Folie à Deux”**
**Editor:** Thanks for joining us, Tim. You had quite the reaction after watching “Joker: Folie à Deux,” where you actually make a cameo. Can you tell us about your experience watching it?
**Tim Dillon:** Absolutely. I was expecting something compelling given the first movie’s success, but I walked out feeling robbed of my time and money. I even missed my own cameo because I was too busy texting about how terrible the film was!
**Editor:** That’s quite the commentary! You called it “the worst film ever made.” What specifically made you feel that way?
**Tim Dillon:** It felt like they took a hard left turn from what made the original film so powerful. The sequel attempted to veer away from themes like male rage and nihilism and instead threw in these bizarre elements like dance numbers. It just didn’t work for me.
**Editor:** That’s an interesting point. You mentioned the shift in tone from the original film. Do you think that was a reaction to the criticism surrounding it?
**Tim Dillon:** Definitely. They seemed to take the backlash into account and pivoted dramatically, which resulted in a disjointed experience. I mean, watching Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga tap dance while trying to grapple with the Joker’s character just felt insane—like they were trying to subvert expectations but ended up losing the plot entirely.
**Editor:** It’s clear you weren’t a fan of the creative direction taken in this sequel. Do you think there’s a way for future films to better handle the themes introduced in the first “Joker”?
**Tim Dillon:** I think they need to embrace the darker elements and explore the complexity of those themes rather than running away from them. Audiences reacted strongly to the original for a reason. You can’t just shift gears and expect people to follow along without grounding it in a compelling narrative.
**Editor:** Thank you, Tim, for sharing your thoughts. It’s always insightful to hear from someone involved in the project itself. We appreciate your candor!
**Tim Dillon:** Thanks for having me! Always fun to dive into the wild world of cinema.
