Tarantino Critiques Paul Dano, Industry Rallies Behind Him

Quentin Tarantino recently sparked debate with his comments about Paul Dano. On a popular podcast, the Kill Bill director revisited the 2007 film There Will Be Blood, claiming that Dano’s performance weakened the film’s central dynamic. Tarantino described Dano as “weak sauce” and said the pairing with Daniel Day-Lewis should have been a true two-hander, calling him “the weakest … actor in SAG.”

The remarks quickly drew widespread reactions from industry peers. Matt Reeves, who directed Dano as the Riddler in The Batman (2022), called him “an incredible actor and an incredible person,” praising the intensity he brought to the role opposite Robert Pattinson.

Screenwriter Mattson Tomlin, also working on the Batman sequel, highlighted Dano’s talent as both an actor and a director, referring to his debut film Wildlife as a showcase of his control and empathy. Ben Stiller tweeted that Dano is “f-ing brilliant,” while Alec Baldwin shared a clip expressing his admiration for the actor.

The exchange has reignited discussion around There Will Be Blood, previously celebrated for Day-Lewis’s performance and Paul Thomas Anderson’s direction. This time, however, the focus has shifted to Dano’s contribution and the strong support he has received from colleagues, emphasizing his respected place in Hollywood despite Tarantino’s critique.