Paul Dano Defended After Quentin Tarantino’s Savage Critique by “The Batman” Sequel Writer

Quentin Tarantino is no stranger to controversy, but his recent unprovoked attack on Paul Dano has left film Twitter collectively scratching its head. The legendary director, known for his encyclopedic knowledge of cinema and unfiltered opinions, recently dropped a bombshell while discussing his favorite films of the 21st century. While he ranked Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2007 epic and gritty movie “There Will Be Blood” in his top five, he made it abundantly clear that he thinks the film has one “big, giant flaw”: Paul Dano.

Quentin Tarantino vs. Paul Dano: The Beef We Didn’t See Coming

Tarantino’s take is hotter than the California desert where this film is set, and quite frankly, it’s got fans and some industry pros rushing to Dano’s defense like Gothamites lighting up the Bat-Signal.

The drama happened on “The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast,” where Tarantino didn’t just critique Dano’s performance as the sniveling preacher Eli Sunday – he eviscerated it. The “Pulp Fiction” director claimed that while the film was intended to be a “two-hander” between Dano and the incomparable Daniel Day-Lewis, Dano was nothing more than a “weak sister” and a “non-entity.”

If that wasn’t harsh enough, Tarantino then dropped the atomic bomb of insults, labeling Dano “the weakest f***ing actor in SAG.” He even suggested that his “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” star, Austin Butler, who played Tex, would’ve been a better fit for the role. (For context, Butler would have been a literal teenager at the time, but hey, it’s Tarantino’s world, we’re just living in it.)

Tarantino’s argument boils down to the idea that Daniel Day-Lewis ate Dano alive on screen. But isn’t that… the point? Eli Sunday is supposed to be a weaselly, false prophet who crumbles under the weight of Daniel Plainview’s terrifying ambition. Calling Dano “weak sauce” for playing a weak character feels a bit like criticizing a shark for being too… wet.

The Batman Writer and Hollywood Stars Clap Back

Naturally, the internet wasn’t going to let this slide. Leading the charge in Dano’s defense was Mattson Tomlin, co-writer of “The Batman Part II.” Tomlin took to X (formerly Twitter) to sing Dano’s praises, not just as an actor, but as a filmmaker in his own right. Tomlin wrote: 

“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.”

It’s a classy response from a collaborator who knows Dano’s work intimately. Dano’s chilling, frantic portrayal of The Riddler in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” was widely acclaimed, proving he can hold his own against heavy hitters. Tomlin’s defense is particularly notable given that Dano’s character, Edward Nashton, is currently sitting in Arkham Asylum, potentially poised for a return in the sequel.

Simu Liu also entered the chat, offering a simple but effective rebuttal: “idk man i think paul dano is an incredible actor.” Sometimes, you don’t need a dissertation to prove a point. Even Dillon Freasier, who played the child H.W. Plainview in “There Will Be Blood,” told TMZ that the film is “perfect” because “everyone was perfectly cast,” effectively laughing off the idea of a teenage Austin Butler stepping into the role.

Why Paul Dano’s “Weakness” Was Actually Brilliance

Here’s the thing about Paul Dano’s performance in “There Will Be Blood:” it is agonizingly uncomfortable to watch. His voice cracks, his posture is pathetic, and his false piety is nauseating. He makes your skin crawl. That is not the sign of a “non-entity” actor; that is the sign of someone who understood the assignment perfectly.

To say he was “eaten alive” by Day-Lewis is accurate, but that was the narrative requirement. Daniel Plainview is a force of nature; Eli Sunday is a fraud. If Dano had played Eli with the swagger of a movie star, the final, brutal bowling alley scene wouldn’t have landed with such devastating impact.

Paul Dano Will Be Just Fine 

While Quentin Tarantino is entitled to his opinion (and ya know, he’s never been shy about sharing them), this particular critique feels like a misfire. Dano has built a career on playing complex, often outcast characters in films like “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Prisoners,” and “The Fabelmans.” He brings a specific, nervous energy that few others can replicate.

So, while Tarantino might think he’s the “weakest actor in SAG,” the rest of Hollywood – and anyone who appreciates a nuanced performance – seems to disagree. Award winning actor Paul Dano isn’t going anywhere, and if the support from his peers is any indication, it looks like he’s doing just fine without Tarantino’s stamp of approval.