Paul Dano, the acclaimed star of films like There Will Be Blood and The Batman, has received a significant show of support after facing scathing criticism from legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.
Tarantino's Surprise Attack on Dano's Performance
During a recent appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, Quentin Tarantino was listing his best films of the 21st century. While he ranked Paul Thomas Anderson's 2007 masterpiece There Will Be Blood at number five, he launched an unprompted attack on Dano's role as the preacher Eli Sunday.
The Oscar-winning director called Dano the movie's "big, giant flaw" and labelled him "the weakest f***ing actor in SAG." Tarantino, 62, argued the film was meant to be a "two-hander" with Daniel Day-Lewis's Daniel Plainview, but claimed Dano was a "weak sister" and a "non-entity." He even suggested his Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star, Austin Butler, would have been preferable in the role.
Hollywood Rallies to Dano's Defence
Following the remarks, fans and industry figures quickly rallied online to defend the 41-year-old actor. A key voice of support came from Mattson Tomlin, the co-writer of the upcoming The Batman Part II, in which Dano is expected to reprise his role as The Riddler.
"I am really pleased to see so many people cheer on Paul Dano this week," Tomlin wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "Not only is he a terrific actor, but he’s an astonishing director who exudes control and tremendous empathy."
Dano's performance in There Will Be Blood is widely considered his breakout role, following his acclaimed turn in Little Miss Sunshine in 2006. His chilling portrayal of The Riddler in Matt Reeves's 2022 film The Batman, opposite Robert Pattinson, was also met with widespread praise from critics and audiences.
A Career Built on Acclaimed Roles
Despite Tarantino's criticisms, Dano's career is marked by a series of celebrated performances. From his early role in Little Miss Sunshine to parts in Meek’s Cutoff (2010) and Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans (2022), he has consistently been recognised for his nuanced and compelling work.
In a 2024 interview with The Independent, Dano spoke about the appeal of joining The Batman, stating, "There are enough comic book movies where you just know what you’re gonna get. Reading the script for The Batman, you knew it was a real film."
The public defence from a key creative on one of Warner Bros.'s biggest franchises underscores Dano's respected standing within the industry, contrasting sharply with Tarantino's controversial assessment.
