Quentin Tarantino is facing a major backlash as 2025 wraps, and it, notably, is not over his films. The director recently criticized several actors, sparking a wave of pushback from the industry. At the same time, his old comment defending Roman Polanski has resurfaced, reigniting outrage over his support for the controversial filmmaker.

Between calling out peers and defending a polarizing figure, Tarantino has placed himself at the centre of a heated debate. Cinephiles and critics alike are questioning his choices, and Hollywood is divided over whether this is a matter of free speech, personal opinion, or crossing a line.

Quentin Tarantino, known for his bold takes on cinema with his credits including films such as Grindhouse, Inglourious Basterds, and The Hateful Eight, found himself at the unfavorable end of a fierce denunciation last week. The director appeared on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast earlier in December 2025, discussing his favourite films and actors. 

While the conversation began as a casual ranking of movies, it quickly turned controversial when Tarantino started critiquing actors like Paul Dano, Owen Wilson, and Matthew Lillard.

What might have been a minor comment in another context ignited a wave of reactions across Hollywood, given the showbiz veteran’s provocative language.

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The choice of words can make or break a person in showbiz, and given the fact that Tarantino is not new in the industry, his remarks made little sense. 

Quentin Tarantino called Paul Dano the “weakest male actor in SAG” on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast. He claimed Dano’s performance in There Will Be Blood was a major flaw in the film, arguing that another actor could have balanced Daniel Day-Lewis’s intensity much better.

Tarantino, who has not worked with Dano and is not acquainted with him in any capacity, suggested Austin Butler as his hypothetical replacement in the film, despite Butler being far too young at the time. His dismissal of actors such as Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard, on the other hand, came in the form of saying he does not care for them.  These pointed criticisms sparked the outrage in the discussion.

Matthew Lillard has addressed Quentin Tarantino’s attack on him. Speaking at a GalaxyCon event recently, the actor said that while he initially tried to turn a deaf ear to it, he could not.

“You would not say that to somebody who is a top-line actor in Hollywood,” Lillard said. Working in his favour now is another controversial comment by Quentin Tarantino. 

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The comment was brought to light by a fellow actor standing in defence of those whom Tarantino sounded off against.

The controversy gained another layer when Zach Woods, known for The Office, posted Instagram videos criticizing Quentin Tarantino. Woods resurfaced the director’s past defence of Roman Polanski, calling him a “statutory r— apologist.” 

Tarantino’s remarks given to Howard Stern in 2003 have re-entered the public eye, reigniting discussions about his views on the contentious figure. Zach Woods also aimed at Quentin Tarantino’s perceived hypocrisy, pointing out both his self-casting in films and his stylistic borrowings from Asian directors.

Fans and industry figures have rallied behind Paul Dano, pointing to his acclaimed work in Little Miss Sunshine, The Fabelmans, and The Batman.

Simu Liu kept it simple but clear, writing on X, “idk man i think Paul Dano is an incredible actor.”

Screenwriter Mattson Tomlin also spoke up, calling Dano not just a strong performer but a confident filmmaker, encouraging people to watch Wildlife. 

Dillon Freasier, who worked with Paul Dano on There Will Be Blood, told TMZ, “The film is perfect. It’s a work of art. And it’s that way because everyone was perfectly cast.”

Social media voices echoed this sentiment. One X user wrote, “Quentin Tarantino could not be more wrong about Paul Dano if he tried.”

Another, a Tarantino fan account,  stepped in, posting, “Sorry Quentin but Paul Dano is one of the most underrated actors of his generation.”

Quentin Tarantino’s latest fiasco makes only one thing clear: A moviemaker is never too far from controversy. While the debate around his comments continues to unfold, the industry’s strong response in favour of the actors and against Tarantino shows how Hollywood takes a stand on divisive matters. Given that this is not the first time Tarantino has made headlines for a fiery rant, many are now watching to see whether he addresses the criticism or allows the storm to pass on its own.

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What do you think of the Quentin Tarantino controversy? Let us know in the comments.