Acclaimed filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has ignited a fierce debate within the film community after delivering a scathing critique of actor Paul Dano's performance in the modern classic, 'There Will Be Blood'.
Tarantino's Blunt Podcast Assessment
During an appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast in early December 2025, the 62-year-old director of Reservoir Dogs offered an unsparing analysis of the 2007 Paul Thomas Anderson film. Tarantino suggested the movie, which focuses on oil baron Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) and preacher Eli Sunday (Dano), would stand a strong chance of being his number one or two film of the 21st century, 'if it didn't have a big, giant flaw in it'.
He then identified that flaw directly. 'The flaw is Paul Dano,' Tarantino stated. 'Obviously, it's supposed to be a two-hander, but it's also drastically obvious that it's not a two-hander. He is weak sauce, man. He is the weak sister.' The director went further, controversially labelling Dano 'the weakest f***ing actor in SAG' (the Screen Actors Guild).
Social Media Backlash in Defence of Dano
Tarantino's comments, made public on Wednesday 3 December 2025, were swiftly disputed by fans and film enthusiasts on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Many rushed to defend Dano, an actor with a career of consistent acclaim for roles in films such as Little Miss Sunshine (2006) and The Fabelmans (2022).
One user highlighted the scale of Dano's achievement, noting he was just 22 years old when he played the dual roles of twins Eli and Paul Sunday opposite the legendary Day-Lewis. 'He somehow manages to act on the same playing field as DANIEL DAY-LEWIS,' they wrote, calling it one of the best performances they had ever seen.
Another supporter argued Tarantino was 'wrong on so many levels,' praising Dano for crafting two distinct characters and holding his own against Day-Lewis. While acknowledging Tarantino's right to an opinion, some critics suggested his recent film takes had been 'embarrassingly bad.'
A Legacy Performance Under Fire
The criticism places a surprising shadow over a performance and a film long held in the highest esteem. 'There Will Be Blood' is routinely cited as one of the finest cinematic works of the century. Tarantino even suggested he would have preferred a then-16-year-old Austin Butler, who later starred in Elvis, to have taken the role instead.
Despite the furore, UK audiences can make up their own minds. The film remains available to stream on the Paramount+ platform. The incident underscores the subjective nature of film criticism, even when it comes from one of the industry's most iconic and outspoken directors.
