Ridley Scott Slams Modern Movies: “We’re Drowning in Mediocrity”

Ridley Scott, the acclaimed director behind timeless classics such as Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator, has openly criticized the modern movie industry, expressing disappointment in what he describes as an overwhelming focus on quantity over quality. Speaking at a screen talk event held at London’s BFI Southbank on October 5, Scott revealed that he now mostly watches his older films due to dissatisfaction with current cinema.

Scott Reflects on His Career and Today’s Film Quality

During a conversation with his son, filmmaker Luke Scott, and a live audience, Ridley Scott was asked about his recent viewing habits. He responded with blunt honesty on the state of contemporary movies.

“Right now I’m finding mediocrity, we’re drowning in mediocrity,”

Scott declared (via Yahoo UK).

“So what I do, and it’s a horrible thing, but I’ve started to watch my own movies, and actually they’re really good! And also, they don’t age.”

Scott’s own body of work includes numerous highly regarded films such as Thelma & Louise, American Gangster, The Duellists, and more, affirming why he turns back to his past projects for inspiration and satisfaction.

Criticism of Contemporary Film Production Trends

Ridley Scott elaborated on his views by saying that the sheer number of movies produced today often results in poor quality. While he conceded that a small fraction of films are worthwhile, the majority fall short.

“I watched Black Hawk [Down] the other night and I thought, ‘how the hell did I do that?’ But I think that occasionally there’s a good one that will happen, it’s like a relief that there’s somebody out there who’s doing a good movie.”

He then broke down his opinion on modern films: 5% are excellent, 10% are fairly good, 40% are acceptable, and the remainder he described bluntly as “s**t.” Scott also noted that elaborate digital effects often hide the lack of strong storytelling.

“I’m not sure about the portion of what I’ve just said, but in the 1940s, when there were perhaps 300 movies made, 70% of them were similar, for example. I think a lot of films today are saved and made more expensive by digital effects, because what they haven’t got is a great thing on paper first. Get it on paper,”

he explained.

Recent and Upcoming Projects from Ridley Scott

Scott’s most recent film to hit theaters was Gladiator II, the eagerly awaited follow-up to his 2000 epic, starring Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington. Looking ahead, he has several films in the works, including an adaptation of Peter Heller’s post-apocalyptic novel The Dog Stars, a biopic based on the Bee Gees, and potentially a third installment in the Gladiator series.

The Impact of Scott’s Critique on the Film Industry

Ridley Scott’s outspoken criticism highlights a widespread concern about the direction of modern cinema, especially the heavy reliance on visual effects over storytelling. His remarks may urge filmmakers and studios to prioritize scripts and creative ideas before resorting to costly digital enhancements. As one of the most influential directors in the industry, Scott’s opinions carry weight and might inspire a re-evaluation of current production practices going forward.