Tim Dillon is not known for holding back. If you’ve ever listened to his podcast, you know the vibe: a mix of high-velocity cynicism and brutal honesty that usually targets politicians or the housing market. So, when he showed up as a security guard in Joker: Folie à Deux, most people expected a funny behind-the-scenes story.
Instead, we got a scorched-earth campaign.
Dillon didn’t just say the movie was bad. He called it "the worst film ever made." He said this while sitting across from Joe Rogan, and he said it with the conviction of a man who spent three months of his life watching a train wreck in slow motion.
What happened on the set of Joker: Folie à Deux?
You’ve seen the movie, or at least the memes. It’s a $200 million jukebox musical where Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga sing their way through a plot that seems designed to annoy the people who loved the first one.
Tim Dillon plays a guard at Arkham Asylum. It’s a small role. Blink and you’ll miss it. In fact, Dillon admitted on his own show that he actually missed his own scene when he went to see the movie in a theater. Why? Because he was too busy texting his friends about how much he hated what he was watching on screen.
He described the atmosphere on set as one of pure, unadulterated confusion. According to Dillon, he and the other actors dressed as guards would sit around during lunch breaks—eating lobster tails and pasta from a massive budget—and ask each other, "What is the plot? Is there a plot?"
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The "Incel" Theory
One of the most interesting things Dillon pointed out was why he thinks the movie turned out this way.
He suggested that after the 2019 Joker became a massive hit, there was a lot of hand-wringing in the media. Critics were worried the movie was "for incels" or that it celebrated "male rage." Dillon’s theory is that director Todd Phillips heard that, got annoyed, and decided to go in the exact opposite direction for the sequel.
Basically, the theory is that the movie is a $200 million "prank" on its own audience.
Dillon told Rogan that when he saw Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga tap dancing, he knew it was over. "It’s not even hate-watchable," he said. That’s a heavy statement. Most bad movies are fun to laugh at. Dillon argues this one is just exhausting.
The Reality of Being in a "Bomb"
It’s rare for an actor to trash their own project while it’s still in theaters. Usually, there are contracts and "niceties" that prevent you from saying the director has no idea what he’s doing.
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But Tim Dillon isn’t a traditional Hollywood actor. He’s a podcaster with a massive, independent platform. He doesn't need the studio system to like him.
He joked that his agents told him this would "open doors" for him. The only door it opened, according to him, was the exit door of the Laguna Beach movie theater where he watched people walk out mid-screening.
Despite the professional risk, his honesty resonated. Joker: Folie à Deux ended up with a dismal 32% on Rotten Tomatoes. It grossed around $200 million worldwide—a fraction of the billion dollars the first movie made.
Why his take actually matters
Honestly, we’ve entered an era where audiences are tired of being lectured or "subverted" for the sake of it.
Dillon’s critique wasn't just about the music. It was about the lack of a coherent story. He mentioned that the "musical" elements felt unpolished and that the ending felt like a "middle finger" to anyone who cared about the character of Arthur Fleck.
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When an insider—even one with a small role—confirms that the people making the movie were as confused as the people watching it, it changes the narrative. It’s no longer just "angry fans" complaining on Reddit. It’s a confirmation that the production was a "chaotic" mess.
Actionable Takeaways from the Tim Dillon / Joker 2 Drama
If you’re a creator or just a fan of film, there are a few things to learn from this specific cultural moment.
- Trust your gut on set: Dillon and his fellow "guards" knew the movie was going to bomb while they were filming it. If the people making the art don't understand it, the audience won't either.
- Subverting expectations has limits: There is a fine line between "challenging" your audience and "alienating" them. Pivoting from a gritty character study to a tap-dancing musical is a massive gamble that requires a rock-solid script to work.
- The power of independent platforms: Tim Dillon can say whatever he wants because he owns his distribution. If you want to be honest in 2026, you can't be dependent on a single corporate entity.
- Watch the "Joe Rogan Experience" episode #2225: If you want the full, unedited rant, that's where you'll find it. It's a masterclass in comedic vitriol.
If you are planning to watch the movie despite the warnings, go in expecting a performance art piece rather than a comic book sequel. You might find it more tolerable that way. Or, you could just listen to Tim’s podcast for an hour; it’s free and arguably more entertaining than the $300 million movie.
Check out the clip of Dillon on the Rogan show or his own episode "The Joker & Kamala Harris" to hear the full story of his three months in a trailer.