Actor Tim Dillon Critiques Joker Sequel as Unwatchable

In the world of cinema, sequels often come with high expectations, especially when the original film has garnered significant acclaim. The 2019 film "Joker," directed by Todd Phillips and featuring Joaquin Phoenix, was a massive success, both critically and commercially. However, its sequel, "Joker: Folie à Deux," has faced a storm of criticism, particularly from one of its own cast members, Tim Dillon. Dillon, who portrays an Arkham Asylum guard in the film, has not held back in expressing his disdain for the project.

During a recent appearance on "The Joe Rogan Podcast," Dillon labeled the sequel as "the worst film ever made." He attributed the film's shortcomings to the backlash that followed the original "Joker." Dillon remarked, "After the first Joker, there was a lot of talk like, 'Ooh, this was loved by incels. This was loved by the wrong kinds of people. This sent the wrong kind of message. Male rage! Nihilism!' All these think pieces. And then I think 'What if we went the other way?' And now they have Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga tap dancing to a point where it's insane."

The film, which has been described as song-and-dance heavy, has struggled to find its footing at the box office. Warner Bros. chose not to market it as a musical, yet it has been met with commercial and critical disappointment. On its opening weekend, "Joker: Folie à Deux" grossed just under $38 million domestically and saw a staggering 81 percent drop in its second weekend. The film currently holds a mere 32 percent freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has received a D CinemaScore from audiences.

Dillon shared insights from his time on set, revealing that many cast members were skeptical about the film's direction. He recounted, "It has no plot. We would sit there, me and these other guys... and I'd turn to one of them, and we'd hear this crap, and I'd go, 'What the f**k is this?' And they'd go, 'This is going to bomb, man.' I go, 'This is the worst thing I've ever...' We were talking about it at lunch, and we'd go, 'What is the plot? Is there a plot? I don't know, I think he falls in love with her in the prison?' ... It's not even hate watchable. That's how terrible it is."

In stark contrast to Dillon's harsh critique, acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino recently praised "Joker: Folie à Deux" on "The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast." Tarantino expressed his surprise at how much he enjoyed the film, stating, "I really, really liked it, really. A lot. Like, tremendously... I went to see it expecting to be impressed by the filmmaking. But I thought it was going to be an arms-length, intellectual exercise that ultimately I wouldn't think worked like a movie, but that I would appreciate it for what it is... And I didn't find it an intellectual exercise. I really got caught up into it. I really liked the musical sequences. I got really caught up."

The contrasting opinions on "Joker: Folie à Deux" highlight the subjective nature of film criticism. While some viewers and critics may find value in the film's artistic choices, others, like Dillon, see it as a misstep. As audiences continue to engage with the film, it remains to be seen whether it will find its footing or fade into obscurity. Ultimately, the conversation surrounding the film serves as a reminder of the diverse perspectives that exist within the realm of cinema, where every viewer's experience is uniquely their own.