“The Batman” director Matt Reeves defended Paul Dano, who played the Riddler in the 2022 film, after Quentin Tarantino called him “weak sauce” and an “uninteresting guy.”
“Paul Dano is an incredible actor, and an incredible person,” Reeves wrote on X in a Thursday post.
The “Kill Bill” filmmaker shared his unfiltered opinion about Dano’s work in the 2007 western thriller, which earned him a BAFTA nomination, during a recent appearance on “The Bret Easton Ellis” podcast. Tarantino was tasked with revealing his top 20 films of the 21st century and Paul Thomas Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood” landed in the fifth spot.
However, Tarantino made it clear he didn’t love everything about the critically acclaimed film, calling out Dano’s performance in particular. “‘There Will Be Blood’ would stand a good chance at being #1 or #2 if it didn’t have a big, giant flaw in it … and the flaw is Paul Dano,” he noted. “Obviously, it’s supposed to be a two-hander, but it’s also drastically obvious that it’s not a two-hander. [Dano] is weak sauce, man. He is the weak sister. Austin Butler would have been wonderful in that role. He’s just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy. The weakest f–king actor in SAG.”
Reeves was not the only “The Batman” creator to come to Dano’s side. Mattson Tomlin, one of the film’s co-writers, said on X, “I am really pleased to see so many people cheer on Paul Dano this week. Not only is he a terrific actor, but he’s an astonishing director who exudes control and tremendous empathy.”
I am really pleased to see so many people cheer on Paul Dano this week. Not only is he a terrific actor, but he's an astonishing director who exudes control and tremendous empathy. Check out WILDLIFE if you haven't seen it: https://t.co/WDb34MwjcE
— mattson tomlin (@mattsontomlin) December 3, 2025
Others also came to Dano’s defense with Ben Stiller and Simu Liu singing their praises for their fellow actor.
Paul Dano is f-ing brilliant
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) December 4, 2025
idk man i think paul dano is an incredible actor
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) December 4, 2025
“Ya know, someday, film nerds are gonna have to stop worshipping this motor mouthed video store clerk and stop thinking that every opinion he has about film and acting comes from on high,” film critic John Rocha responded on X. “Don’t get me wrong. I love Tarantino’s movies. He’s a damn good director and an excellent writer (except for his obsession with the N word). BUT not every opinion he has is the gospel truth. He’s wrong in his assessment of Dano here.”
Another X user weighed in, “No director should ever say anything like this about an actor. Quite vile really.”
A third chimed in with: “Tarantino’s statement on Paul Dano is wrong on so many levels. He holds himself strong opposite a legend like DDL (dare I say better that Leo in Gangs of New York even) he crafts rich character but also two different characters. It’s one of the great performances. It really is.”
Similarly, a fourth fan penned: “That’s a huge effing lie and he knows it. Paul Dano owned that role and went toe to toe with a legend Day-Lewis”
Dano himself has not responded to Tarantino’s comments.
