Matt Reeves Stands up for Paul Dano Following Criticism from Quentin Tarantino

Which top director considers Paul Dano exceptional? Not Quentin Tarantino, but certainly several others do. Among them is Matt Reeves, who collaborated with Dano on the 2022 blockbuster The Batman.

Paul Dano is a remarkable actor and an equally remarkable individual, Reeves shared on X this Thursday. His statement followed a viral podcast where Tarantino criticized Danos performance in There Will Be Blood, a film starring Daniel Day-Lewis that earned an Academy Award.

On The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, Tarantino listed his top films of the 21st century and ranked the 2007 Paul Thomas Anderson feature fifth. He remarked that the film could easily be first or second if not for a major flaw.

The flaw is Paul Dano, Tarantino stated. Its meant to be a two-person story, but thats very clearly not the case. He is weak sauce, a weak sister.

Dano, known for his role as Edward Nashton/The Riddler in The Batman, has delivered performances for acclaimed directors including Steven Spielberg and Denis Villeneuve.

Im not saying his performance is terrible, Tarantino continued regarding Dano in There Will Be Blood. Im saying it lacks presence. Hes not someone I favor, and the same goes for Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard.

Meanwhile, Reeves is preparing to shoot The Batman Part II, which will feature Scarlett Johansson in an undisclosed role.

Analysis: Matt Reeves Defends Paul Dano Amid Tarantino Criticism

Paul Dano has recently come under sharp criticism from Quentin Tarantino for his performance in There Will Be Blood. Tarantino described Dano as "weak sauce," suggesting that his role undermined what could have been a top-ranked film of the 21st century.

Contrasting this view, Matt Reeves, who worked with Dano on The Batman (2022), praised him as both "a remarkable actor and an equally remarkable individual." Reeves’ statement highlights the respect Dano continues to command among contemporary directors, emphasizing his versatility and professionalism.

Dano’s career includes collaborations with high-profile filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg and Denis Villeneuve, showcasing a consistent ability to handle complex roles. His upcoming work in The Batman Part II, alongside Scarlett Johansson, reinforces his ongoing relevance in major cinematic projects.

This divergence of opinions underlines the subjective nature of film criticism. While Tarantino questions Dano’s presence in a specific role, other directors clearly value his talent and contribution to storytelling.

Sources:

• Matt Reeves Defends Paul Dano After Quentin Tarantino Calls Him “Weak Sauce”