How to Make the Bad Times AI Video From One Photo
The Bad Times argument trend step by step, what the moves are, whether the song is AI, which photo to use, the 30-second or 15-second version and what it costs.
Someone rises slowly into frame, stares down the camera, grabs their head and starts an argument with whoever is filming, mouthing every word of "BAD TIMES". Now swap that someone for you, or your cat. That's the Bad Times trend, and here is how to make your own version from a single photo.
What is the Bad Times trend?
It recreates a TikTok by a French creator, captioned "Ça va barder!!": one handheld take of an over-the-top argument with the person holding the phone, lip-synced to "BAD TIMES" by Imael Angel. The moves everyone copies:
- The slow rise: bent low, then straightening up to stare at the camera.
- Head in hands: grabbing the head in disbelief.
- The pointing finger: jabbing at whoever is filming.
- "Hold on": both palms up, then a lunge until the face fills the lens.
- Arms up: a step back, arms flung up, still arguing.
People then made the same video with their pets standing on their hind legs, and by late September "bad times ai" had become a search of its own.
Is "Bad Times" by Imael Angel an AI song?
There is no confirmed answer. "BAD TIMES" is a deep-house track credited to Imael Angel, released in March 2026, and its extended version topped Shazam's global chart in July. Neither the artist nor the label has said how it was made. Many listeners believe it is AI-generated, but that rests on the sound, not on a statement, so treat confident claims either way with care.
How to make it in 3 steps
- Upload one photo on the Bad Times template. One person (or one pet), face sharp and toward the camera, upper body in frame.
- Pick a version. Premium renders the whole 30-second take at 480p, 720p or 1080p. Balanced renders its first 15 seconds at 480p or 720p for fewer credits.
- Generate and download. In a few minutes you get a vertical 9:16 MP4 with the song and no watermark, ready for TikTok, Reels or Shorts.
Which photo works best?
- One subject per photo. Crop group shots; two faces can blend.
- Face sharp and forward, eyes visible.
- Bright, even light keeps features steady through the fast moves.
- Empty hands. Anything you hold is left out, and the moves need free hands.
- Your own room. The photo's background becomes the room you argue in.
Only use photos of yourself, your pets or people who agreed to appear.
What does it cost?
The 15-second Balanced video is 15 credits at 480p and 25 at 720p. The whole 30 seconds on Premium is 55 credits at 480p, 120 at 720p and 205 at 1080p, and each account's first full 480p video costs at most 20 credits, so the $9.90 pack covers it. Without an account, the 15-second video starts at $7.99. There is no subscription, and a failed render is refunded automatically.
More versions
- Bad Times Dog: follows a husky's take, made for dogs and cats. Guide.
- Bad Times Toddler: follows a toddler's take, for your own child. Guide.
Posting your video
The song is already in the MP4. When you post, TikTok or Instagram may match it to the official sound. Label the video as AI-generated and add #BadTimes #BadTimesTrend.
This site is independent and not affiliated with Imael Angel, the label or the trend's original creator.