Quentin Tarantino, renowned for films like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, recently criticized a central performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s acclaimed drama, There Will Be Blood, while still ranking it among his favorite modern movies. Speaking on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, Tarantino named the film as one of his top cinematic achievements of the century but pointedly called out Paul Dano’s acting as the movie‘s key shortcoming, placing him at odds with other critics and fans of the film. The focus keyword Quentin Tarantino There Will Be Blood is at the center of this heated discussion in the film community.
Tarantino’s Praise and Sharp Critique of There Will Be Blood
There Will Be Blood stands as a monumental work in Paul Thomas Anderson’s career, following the story of a prospector-turned-oilman, brilliantly portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis. The epic drama narrowly lost the Oscar for Best Picture against No Country for Old Men, though Day-Lewis did take home the award for Best Lead Actor, securing one of his three category wins. Other essential cast members include Paul Dano, Kevin J. O’Connor, Ciarán Hinds, and Dillon Freasier.
Tarantino emphasized his admiration for the film, calling it nearly perfect and placing it fifth on his ranked list of 21st-century favorites. He celebrated the film’s craftsman-like quality and narrative-driven approach, likening its production values to classic Hollywood, but distinguished it from imitative period pieces. On his list, Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down won the top spot, followed by Toy Story 3, Lost in Translation, and Dunkirk. Zodiac, Mad Max: Fury Road, Shaun of the Dead, and Midnight in Paris also made the cut as standout films for Tarantino.
The Spotlight on Paul Dano’s Performance
The filmmaker pinpointed a specific flaw that held There Will Be Blood back from his top spot. Tarantino said on air,
There Will Be Blood would stand a good chance at being #1 or #2 if it didn’t have a big, giant flaw in it…and the flaw is Paul Dano.
Dano was initially cast in the smaller role of Paul Sunday but stepped in to play his twin brother Eli as well, making the role highly challenging with little prep time.
Tarantino harshly critiqued Dano in the film, stating
Daniel Day-Lewis. The old-style craftsmanship quality to the film. It had an old Hollywood craftsmanship without trying to be like that. It was the only film he’s ever done, and I brought it up to him, that doesn’t have a set piece. The fire is the closest to a set piece. This was about dealing with the narrative, dealing with the story, and he did it f*****g amazingly. There Will Be Blood would stand a good chance at being #1 or #2 if it didn’t have a big, giant flaw in it … and the flaw is Paul Dano. Obviously, it’s supposed to be a two-hander, but it’s also drastically obvious that it’s not a two-hander. [Dano] is weak sauce, man. He is the weak sister. Austin Butler would have been wonderful in that role. He’s just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy. The weakest fucking actor in SAG [laughs].
– Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker
Tarantino further elaborated his stance, describing Dano as “weak sauce” and suggesting that actor Austin Butler might have fit the role better. He also noted the intended “two-hander” dynamic between Day-Lewis’s and Dano’s characters, but argued that the difference in acting caliber made the setup imbalanced.
Context Around the Casting and Dano’s Response
Paul Dano’s sudden shift from a supporting role to playing dual parts came late in production, leaving him minimal opportunity to prepare. While Tarantino maintains his intense criticism, Dano has acknowledged the challenging circumstances of the casting, noting that he was early in his career when he took on the role and had little lead time. Daniel Day-Lewis, who anchored the film’s iconic narrative with his powerful performance, has publicly defended Dano’s efforts. In the past, Tarantino’s critique was slightly softer, saying,
there’s nothing bad about it [Dano’s performance], it just does seem a compromise.
– Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker
Despite the harsh assessment from Tarantino, Dano received a BAFTA nomination for his work on There Will Be Blood and has continued to earn critical praise for his roles in Little Miss Sunshine, 12 Years a Slave, The Fabelmans, and The Batman. The actor’s trajectory demonstrates that, while divisive, a single performance does not define a career.
The Lasting Legacy and Future Prospects
Alongside the success of Daniel Day-Lewis, whose role demanded a distinctive old-Hollywood commitment, the ensemble cast of There Will Be Blood—including Kevin J. O’Connor, Ciarán Hinds, and Dillon Freasier—helped solidify the film’s status as a modern classic. While the “two-hander” dynamic between Day-Lewis and Dano remains controversial, the film’s impact on Hollywood, as well as its “Best Lead Actor” win and BAFTA recognition, continues to resonate.
Looking ahead, both Dano and Day-Lewis are notably absent from what many expect could become Paul Thomas Anderson’s Oscar-winning moment with his latest project, One Battle After Another, which is leading awards chatter this season. The debate on whether Dano’s performance in There Will Be Blood was truly a misstep or strategically misunderstood persists, with audiences invited to revisit the film and judge the “dealbreaker” for themselves.
As the legacy of Quentin Tarantino There Will Be Blood endures, the conversations sparked by Tarantino’s critiques keep the cinematic achievements and ongoing debates about acting, casting, and auteur vision alive among film enthusiasts worldwide.
