Paul Dano’s performance in “There Will Be Blood” sparks debate as Quentin Tarantino criticizes his acting, contrasting widely praised roles and stirring fresh discussions among film fans.
In Hollywood, people bash other directors or actors in public, but Quentin Tarantino tends to follow his own set of rules. On a recent chat with Bret Easton Ellis during a podcast where they were talking about their favorite 20 movies of the century, Tarantino seized the moment to both applaud Paul Thomas Anderson‘s brilliant film “There Will Be Blood” (2007) and criticize one of its key stars, Paul Dano.
Actor Paul Dano at the 2025 Venice Film Festival.
Photo credit: Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
High Praise for Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Thomas Anderson’s Craft
At first, Tarantino talked about how much he admired Daniel Day-Lewis, the film’s lead, and praised Anderson’s skill as a director.
“Daniel Day-Lewis made the role feel real. The movie captures the essence of classic Hollywood style, but it doesn’t feel like it’s forcing it,” he said. He noted that this film stands out within Anderson’s works because of its distinctiveness.
He also shared, “I told him this is the only movie he’s made that lacks a traditional set piece. The fire scene is the closest thing to one. The focus was on the story and how it unfolded, and he handled it .”
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Tarantino’s Surprising Feedback
The discussion shifted in an unexpected direction when Tarantino explained why the movie didn’t make it higher on his list:
“‘There Will Be Blood’ might have been my top pick or at least second, if not for one major flaw… and that’s Paul Dano,” Tarantino said . “It’s supposed to show a balance between two strong characters, but it’s clear that it doesn’t. [Dano] just doesn’t hold up his end. He’s the weak spot in the whole thing.”
Quentin Tarantino and Diane Kruger at the 2010 Oscars.
Photo credit: Sgt. Michael Connors, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Ideas for Different Casting Choices
Tarantino took things a step further by bringing up different casting ideas. “Austin Butler would have been amazing in that role,” he said adding a sharper observation after. “Dano just feels so dull and forgettable on screen. You could argue he’s the least impressive actor in SAG [laughs].”
Different Takes on Dano’s Acting
This opinion might surprise a lot of movie lovers. People have often praised Dano’s role as Eli (and Paul) Sunday in “There Will Be Blood” (2007) as a clever and compelling contrast to Day-Lewis’ commanding performance as an oil tycoon. Many think Dano’s acting plays a big part in why the movie has had such a lasting effect since its debut. But Tarantino has a different take. He believes the gap in their performances is so big that it stops the film from reaching its best form.
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Tarantino’s Pattern of Bold Opinions
Tarantino’s tendency to share bold opinions comes as no shock. Over the years, he’s gained a reputation for:
- putting movies into categories
- dismissing franchise entries he finds lacking
Setting up his own hall of fame
On a well-known podcast, he slammed Dano as “weak sauce” and “the weakest fcking actor in SAG.” This goes beyond just personal taste. These days, a single viral moment can change how people see you in your career forever. So, his words seem less like harmless movie fan chit-chat and more like an intentional public slam.
The Heart of Tarantino
Still, this outburst shows what Tarantino is all about. He is passionate, unyielding, and tied to his own unique view of what makes a good “two-hander” dynamic. His comments will not change how people see “There Will Be Blood” (2007) all that much. But in typical Tarantino fashion, he has a way of turning what starts as admiration for one of this century’s greatest films into a shared critique of one of its key actors — while staying as spirited as ever.
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What’s Next?
Considering Quentin Tarantino and Paul Thomas Anderson have been friends for years, their bond includes swapping early cuts of their movies sharing thoughts about the film industry, and showing up for each other at premieres. A conversation between them is bound to happen soon. It won’t be a calm one.
You can almost picture it. Anderson’s name pops up on Tarantino’s phone, and the phone call starts with a raw all-too-human reaction: “Dude, what the f*ck was that?”
In the end, that’s where this is headed.
Quentin Tarantino shared his thoughts on Paul Dano’s acting in “There Will Be Blood” (2007), and it has stirred up a lot of discussion among movie fans. Many still admire Dano’s work in the movie, but Tarantino’s opinion has brought fresh attention to the film and how people see its characters. This situation highlights how art is always open to interpretation and shows how one person’s opinion can shape how others talk about films.
Source:
Edward Davis (December 2, 2025). Quentin Tarantino Blasts Paul Dano As The “Giant Flaw & Weak Sauce” Of ‘There Will Be Blood’. The Playlist. https://theplaylist.net/quentin-tarantino-blasts-paul-dano-as-the-giant-flaw-weak-sauce-of-there-will-be-blood-20251202/
Header Photo: Actor Paul Dano at the 2025 Venice Film Festival.
Photo credit: Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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