10 Actors Who Hated Their Own Movies and Weren't Afraid to Say It
Sometimes the star of the film is also its harshest critic.
1. George Clooney – "Batman & Robin" (1997)
"Batman & Robin" was a movie so reviled, it has become a legend of the "so bad it's good" variety. Playing the Caped Crusader, Clooney himself has stated, "I think we might have killed the franchise," a damning sentiment from the man behind the bat mask. Sporting the now-infamous "bat-nipples" on his suit, Clooney's stint as Batman was one that he would rather forget. Still, the actor continues on to apologize for the unfortunate 'franchise-killer' even all these years later.
2. Halle Berry – "Catwoman" (2004)
Continuing in the superhero (or should I say, superheroine?) genre, let's talk about Halle Berry's critically mauled "Catwoman." Berry herself confessed it was a "piece of s***" movie and "bombed." She even showed up to accept her Razzie award for Worst Actress in person, a rarity in Hollywood, demonstrating her commitment to owning her mistakes. To be fair, when the screenplay includes dialogue about the philosophical implications of catnip, even an Oscar-winning actress might struggle.
3. Mark Wahlberg – "The Happening" (2008)
"The Happening," M. Night Shyamalan 's eco-horror about murderous plants, had an interesting premise but suffered in execution. Mark Wahlberg, the leading man, admitted it was a "bad movie" and mocked his own performance. Considering his character was often out-acted by the vegetation, it's no wonder Wahlberg wanted to leaf this film behind.
4. Christopher Plummer – "The Sound of Music" (1965)
Yes, dear reader, you read that correctly. Christopher Plummer was not a fan of the iconic "The Sound of Music," calling it "so awful and sentimental and gooey." He admitted to being a bit bored with the Baron Von Trapp character, finding him one-dimensional. Plummer's metaphorical struggle with the film is the stuff of legends, even going as far as referring to the movie as "The Sound of Mucus." But let's face it, without his stern, captivating performance, the hills might not have been quite as alive with the sound of music.
5. Bob Hoskins – "Super Mario Bros." (1993)
Venturing into the pixelated world of video game adaptations, Bob Hoskins didn't mince words when it came to the critically panned "Super Mario Bros." He called it the "worst thing" he ever did. Between the bizarre storyline and the surreal dystopian Mushroom Kingdom, even a magic mushroom couldn't make this film palatable for Hoskins. It's safe to say, he'd rather face Bowser in real life than revisit this movie.
6. Daniel Radcliffe – "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (2009)
For many actors, scrutinizing their own performances can be a difficult process. This was particularly true for Daniel Radcliffe in the sixth installment of the Harry Potter series. In an interview with Playboy, Radcliffe revealed that he's "not very good in it," referring to his performance in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." The actor described himself as "complacent" and lacking variation in his performance. As the Potter series progressed, Radcliffe's skills as an actor matured, and so his reflection on "Half-Blood Prince" stands as a stark critique of his own work.
7. Kate Winslet – "Titanic " (1997)
Kate Winslet's performance in "Titanic" may have propelled her to stardom, but the actress is not a fan of her work in this iconic film. Winslet has openly criticized her American accent in the movie, calling it "awful". Additionally, the actress mentioned she could see her acting "from mile off," suggesting that her performance lacked subtlety. Despite the movie's monumental success and the positive reception of her performance, Winslet remains one of the film's critics.
8. Jamie Lee Curtis – "Virus" (1999)
"Virus" is a science-fiction horror film that Jamie Lee Curtis wishes she could erase from her filmography. The actress has not been shy about voicing her disdain for the film, calling it "the worst movie ever made." Curtis described the film as an utterly disappointing experience, a movie she regretted from the moment she read the script. However, contractual obligations forced her to stick with the project. Her experience with "Virus" stands as a reminder of the battles actors sometimes face in the industry.
9. Ben Affleck – "Daredevil " (2003)
Ben Affleck's disappointment in "Daredevil" is palpable when you listen to his interviews. He felt the movie failed to encapsulate the complexity and the essence of the comic book. The critical and audience response to "Daredevil" was so scathing that it made Affleck reluctant to don the superhero costume again until "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" in 2016. He stated that donning the Batman cape was his way of seeking redemption for "Daredevil."
10. Shia LaBeouf – "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (2009)
Shia LaBeouf's criticism of "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" is a testament to his commitment to storytelling and character development. The actor stated that the movie "lost itself," with a focus on special effects and spectacle over a compelling narrative. According to LaBeouf, the film failed to live up to its predecessor because it lacked the "human element." His critique underscores the challenge of maintaining a meaningful narrative amidst blockbuster-level action and special effects.