When Quentin Tarantino publicly dismissed Paul Dano’s performance in There Will Be Blood as “weak sauce” and even called him “the weakest actor in SAG,” the comments sparked a significant backlash — not just from fans, but from respected voices across the film and theatre world.
Daniel Day-Lewis: Champion of Dano’s Talent
The strongest support came from Daniel Day-Lewis, Dano’s co-star in There Will Be Blood. Following Tarantino’s remarks, an Instagram post praised Dano as “one of the best and most talented actors of his generation.” While the initial post was run by a fan account, Day-Lewis’s representatives confirmed that the sentiment reflected his own view and that he endorsed the praise for Dano.
Day-Lewis had originally recommended Dano for the role of Eli Sunday after the first actor dropped out, and the two had previously worked together — further grounding his support in deep professional respect.
Ethan Hawke: Calls Out Tarantino’s Take
Actor Ethan Hawke, who performed alongside Dano in a Broadway production of True West, delivered a sharp rebuttal to Tarantino’s criticism. Hawke called Dano’s performance in There Will Be Blood “not up for debate” and described Dano as a “world-class human being.” He suggested the disparaging remarks were more reflective of Tarantino’s own biases than any deficiency in Dano’s craft.
Hawke’s defense extended beyond mere lip service — he contextualized Dano as a seriously accomplished performer, not only in film but on stage as well.
Social Media Support from Hollywood Peers
Alongside these high-profile endorsements, several other industry figures publicly expressed admiration for Dano:
Ben Stiller
Stiller took to social platforms to call Dano “f*cking brilliant,” reinforcing the widespread perception of his acting prowess.
Simu Liu
Liu echoed similar sentiments, praising Dano and dismissing Tarantino’s claims.
Alec Baldwin
Baldwin was among those who publicly stood with Dano, applauding his work and rejecting the idea that the performance was a detriment to the film.
Josh Gad
Gad also weighed in positively, amplifying the sentiment that Dano’s acting deserved respect.
Co-Star Support from Within There Will Be Blood
There Will Be Blood co-star Colleen Foy, who played Dano’s sister in the film, highlighted in her own comments that Dano’s performance “speaks for itself.” She even pointed out that, at a 2007 screening, Tarantino himself had enjoyed the film — complicating his later criticism.
Additionally, Dillon Freasier (who played the adopted son in the film) weighed in, calling the casting of the movie “perfect” and emphasizing that the ensemble, as assembled, was integral to its artistic triumph.
Industry and Fan Backlash Beyond Named Figures
Even beyond well-known actors, there has been broad resistance to Tarantino’s comments:
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Critics emphasized that Dano’s performance is widely regarded as essential to the film’s emotional and narrative impact.
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Social media trends and fan commentary have overwhelmingly supported Dano’s capabilities.
Why These Defenses Matter
What’s striking about the responses isn’t just the quantity of supportive voices, but their weight and diversity: from an acting legend (Day-Lewis), a respected stage and screen actor (Hawke), and peers across film genres and generations. This collective defense positions Dano not as a “weak link” but as an artist whose subtlety, range, and commitment have earned admiration across the industry.
In Summary
After Quentin Tarantino’s controversial critique of Paul Dano’s work in There Will Be Blood:
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Daniel Day-Lewis publicly backed Dano as one of his generation’s most talented actors.
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Ethan Hawke forcefully defended both the performance and Dano’s character.
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Ben Stiller, Simu Liu, Alec Baldwin, Josh Gad, and Colleen Foy also voiced strong support.
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Other industry figures and fans have rejected Tarantino’s characterization of Dano entirely.
Together, these responses paint a very different picture from the one Tarantino offered — one of an actor widely respected for his depth, craft, and contribution to contemporary cinema.
