Quentin Tarantino is no stranger to controversy, but his newest claim has left even longtime fans asking: Was that really necessary?
During a recent appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, the filmmaker revealed his list of the top 20 films of the 21st century, a list that begins with Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down and ends with Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. But the rankings weren’t what made headlines. It was his critique of one specific actor.
When discussing his No. 5 pick, Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood, Tarantino insisted the film would have landed in his top 2 if not for “a big, giant flaw, Paul Dano.”
“Weak sauce” or underrated genius? Tarantino’s sharp words for Paul Dano
Tarantino didn’t sugarcoat a thing. Comparing Dano’s performance to Daniel Day-Lewis’ towering portrayal of Daniel Plainview, he claimed:
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Dano was the film’s “weak sister.”
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His screen presence was “uninteresting.”
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And the role “should’ve been” played by Austin Butler.
Butler was 16 at the time, which has only amplified the absurdity of the claim in the eyes of viewers. Social media erupted within minutes, with many joking that Tarantino is auditioning to become Hollywood’s “Chief Petty Officer.”
Film critic Laura Marks wrote on X, “Calling Paul Dano ‘weak sauce’ is like calling the Pacific Ocean a puddle.”
How Paul Dano ended up playing both roles
What Tarantino didn’t acknowledge is the complicated production story behind Dano’s casting. Originally, he was hired only to play Paul Sunday, the quieter, more mysterious brother. Two weeks into filming, the actor originally cast as Eli was let go. With almost no prep time, Dano stepped into the second role, rewriting the energy of the movie overnight.
He was 23. Day-Lewis had been preparing for nearly a year.
Bret Easton Ellis pointed this out, reminding Tarantino that even the strongest actors struggle to match Day-Lewis’ volcanic intensity: “He makes it impossible to create a true two-hander.”
Tarantino shot back with, “So cast the weakest male actor in SAG?”
The irony wasn’t lost on fans, considering Tarantino’s own acting résumé largely consists of cameos in his own films.
Hollywood Responds: Outrage, humor, and a bit of eye-olrling
The backlash has been fast and loud:
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Actors praised Dano for being one of the most versatile performers of his generation.
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Directors pointed out that Anderson literally rewrote the script to showcase Dano more, not less.
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Fans resurfaced scenes from Prisoners, Love & Mercy, and The Batman to counter Tarantino’s “non-entity” remark.
On Reddit, one user summed up the reaction perfectly:
“Paul Dano could read a grocery list and still out-act half of Hollywood.”
Why target Paul Dano at all?
Industry insiders are quietly speculating if Tarantino’s criticism says more about him than about Dano. Some believe Tarantino enjoys “speech-shock,” offering takes designed to keep his name circulating ahead of every possible retirement announcement. Others think he simply prefers larger-than-life, swagger-heavy performances, the opposite of Dano’s subtle, cerebral approach.
And there’s another layer:
Dano’s career has always defied the conventional leading-man path. His face, often described as “malleable,” “claylike,” or “hauntingly expressive,” allows him to play everything from gentle souls to unsettling outsiders. He avoids hero roles, but Hollywood trusts him with the complexity that few others can deliver.
Meanwhile, There Will Be Blood remains a masterpiece
Ironically, this whole debate might end up boosting appreciation for Dano’s work. Film professors and cinephiles are already revisiting the movie, analyzing how Dano’s controlled, internally charged performance creates the perfect foil for Day-Lewis’ explosive one.
Many argue that if Eli Sunday had been played by someone more theatrical, the film would have lost its eerie imbalance, the very imbalance that makes it unforgettable.
What this means for Paul Dano?
As of now, Paul Dano has not commented. His fans expect he won’t; he’s famously private and rarely engages in drama. Meanwhile, Tarantino has doubled down, insisting he simply “doesn’t care for” Dano, Owen Wilson, or Matthew Lillard.
At this point, it’s safe to say Tarantino has opinions, and the internet has plenty in return.
Whether you agree or not, one thing is certain:
The conversation has revealed how passionately audiences connect with both actors and how one offhand comment from a director can set the entire film world on fire.