Paul Dano Thanks Supporters After Tarantino Slam

Co-stars, directors defend There Will Be Blood's Dano after Kill Bill director called him 'weak'

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:47am

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Paul Dano has responded to Quentin Tarantino's criticism of his acting, saying he was grateful that others in the industry spoke up in his defense rather than having to do so himself. Tarantino had called Dano the "weakest" actor in SAG and criticized his performance in the 2007 film There Will Be Blood, but Dano's co-stars and directors rushed to support him, with Toni Collette telling Tarantino to "F--- that guy!" and Jonathan Dayton calling the remarks an "embarrassment."

Why it matters

Tarantino's comments sparked a backlash from many in the industry, highlighting the power of public support and defense for actors who face harsh criticism, even from established directors. The swift response also underscores the respect and admiration Dano has earned from his peers for his acting work.

The details

At the Sundance Film Festival, ahead of a 20th-anniversary screening of Little Miss Sunshine, Dano was asked about Tarantino's comments. Before he could respond, his Sunshine co-star Toni Collette jumped in to defend him, saying Tarantino "must've been high" and that his remarks were "just confusing." Dano said he was "incredibly grateful that the world spoke up" for him. The directors of Little Miss Sunshine, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, also backed Dano, with Dayton calling Tarantino's comments an "embarrassment" and suggesting Dano's "raw" performance may have unsettled the director.

  • Tarantino's comments were made during an appearance on Bret Easton Ellis' podcast.

The players

Paul Dano

A 41-year-old actor known for his roles in films like There Will Be Blood and Little Miss Sunshine.

Quentin Tarantino

A 62-year-old acclaimed film director, screenwriter, and actor, known for movies like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill.

Toni Collette

An Australian actress who co-starred with Dano in Little Miss Sunshine.

Jonathan Dayton

The co-director, along with Valerie Faris, of the film Little Miss Sunshine.

Valerie Faris

The co-director, along with Jonathan Dayton, of the film Little Miss Sunshine.

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What they’re saying

“Are we really going there? F--- that guy! He must've been high ... it was just confusing. Who does that?”

— Toni Collette, Actress (Variety)

“That was really nice. I was also incredibly grateful that the world spoke up for me so I didn't have to.”

— Paul Dano (Variety)

“That's an embarrassment. Paul's performance was so raw and powerful. Maybe that unsettled Tarantino.”

— Jonathan Dayton, Co-director, Little Miss Sunshine (The Guardian)

“He is so smart. And he is loved by so many.”

— Valerie Faris, Co-director, Little Miss Sunshine (The Guardian)

The takeaway

This incident highlights the power of industry support and the respect Dano has earned from his peers, even in the face of harsh criticism from an established director like Tarantino. It underscores the importance of standing up for talented actors and the impact that public defense can have in countering unfair assessments of their work.