Director Matt Reeves has come to Paul Dano’s defense after Quentin Tarantino sparked controversy by calling the actor “weak sauce” on a recent podcast, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Reeves, who worked with Dano on the 2022 hit The Batman, praised him on X on Thursday, describing him as “an incredible actor and an incredible person.”

The comments follow Tarantino’s ranking of his favorite films of the 21st century, where he placed the 2007 Paul Thomas Anderson film at No. 5. Tarantino claimed the movie “could have been number one or two if not for a major flaw” — which he said was Dano. He argued that the film was meant to be a two-hander but failed because Dano was “weak sauce” and “a weak sister.”

Despite Tarantino’s criticism, Dano has a strong and respected filmography, having worked with major directors like Steven Spielberg and Denis Villeneuve. His performance as The Riddler in The Batman was widely celebrated for its depth and intensity. Tarantino later clarified that Dano’s performance in There Will Be Blood wasn’t “terrible,” but said it felt like a “non-entity,” grouping him with actors he personally doesn’t care for. Reeves’ support highlights his trust in Dano’s talent as work continues on The Batman Part II, which will feature Scarlett Johansson in a yet-to-be-revealed role. The sequel is expected to carry forward the dark, character-focused storytelling that defined the first film.