Have you ever seen a film that’s so bad, it’s good? Plenty of movies have their fans, but few will publicly defend their worst-rated films. Some actors, however, have spoken up in defense of the films that weren’t so well received by critics and audiences alike. Here are the top actors who have publicly defended their worst-rated films in no particular order…
Drew Barrymore – Ever After
Drew Barrymore is no stranger to the entertainment industry. As a child actor, she starred in classic films such as E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and later went on to play iconic characters in both Charlie’s Angels and Donnie Darko. However, even great actors have their share of flops, and Drew Barrymore is no exception. One of Barrymore’s worst-rated films is Ever After, a 1998 romantic drama directed by Andy Tennant. Critics gave the movie mixed reviews, but Barrymore was passionate about the project from the start. In fact, she was so passionate about it that she took on the additional role of executive producer, something she had never done before.
Barrymore once stated that Ever After showed her that women can be strong and complex. She also said that she was drawn to the story because it tackled difficult topics like female empowerment and women’s rights during a time when these issues weren’t being discussed as openly as they are today.
Drew Barrymore’s commitment to the movie demonstrates the level of dedication actors have for their projects, even if those projects don’t always receive the most positive reviews. While Ever After may not be one of her greatest successes, it clearly has a special place in Barrymore’s heart.
Will Smith – Wild Wild West
When it comes to actors who have defended their worst-rated films, one name stands out: Will Smith. His 1999 Wild Wild West, based on the TV show of the same name, holds a dismal 17% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, yet Smith has been publicly vocal about his defense of the film. In an interview with The Guardian, Smith said, I loved Wild Wild West and I still don’t think it gets its due… it was more a victim of people’s expectations.
Smith’s unwavering defense of Wild Wild West shows his commitment to his craft as an actor and his belief in the entertainment value of the movie. This is a trait that fans of Smith admire, and his continued support for the film serves as a reminder of why he remains one of the most popular and beloved entertainers in Hollywood.
Nicolas Cage – Ghost Rider
Nicolas Cage is no stranger to having his name attached to some of Hollywood’s most reviled films. He was widely criticized for his performance in the 2007 film Ghost Rider, which currently holds a score of 26% on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, Cage has publicly defended the film. In an interview with The Guardian in 2017, Cage discussed why he made the decision to star in the film. He explained that the reason he agreed to take part in the film was because he thought it could be a fun and exciting movie that his children could watch. He also noted that he liked the idea of playing a character who could come back from the dead.
Despite the negative reviews from critics, Cage believes that Ghost Rider still had something special to offer. In an interview with Moviefone, Cage said that the film’s premise was so wonderfully operatic, so grandiose and that he enjoyed creating a character who could be seen as a hero despite his questionable morals.
Ben Affleck – Gigli
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez starred in the 2003 romantic comedy Gigli, which was one of the most notoriously panned movies of all time. Despite its overwhelmingly negative reviews, Ben Affleck has remained vocal about his defense of the film. When the movie first hit theaters, Affleck received intense criticism from both critics and audiences. However, Affleck was not afraid to stand up for Gigli and its creative team. He argued that the movie was actually ahead of its time and misunderstood by viewers who had yet to understand its style of humor.
Gigli wasn’t a movie for everyone; it was a movie for certain people. I don’t regret making it because I think it was a noble experiment and I think there were some things in it that were really cool and I’m proud of it, Affleck said. Despite its low rating, Gigli had a huge impact on pop culture and continues to be referenced today. While it may never be considered a classic, Ben Affleck’s unwavering loyalty to the film shows that he stands by the work he does, even if it isn’t always well-received.
Halle Berry – Catwoman
Halle Berry may be best known for her Academy Award-winning role in Monster’s Ball, but she also famously starred as Catwoman in the 2004 film of the same name. The movie was critically panned and scored a 9% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but Berry still stands by her performance. In a 2018 interview with Entertainment Weekly, she said, I think I did something interesting in Catwoman. It might not have been perfect, but it was different. I tried something bold, and I don’t regret it.
She went on to explain that Catwoman was an important part of her career journey: I’m so happy that I did that part for so many reasons. That was one of my first big action movies and I learned so much in the process of making it. Berry has also spoken out about how her career has been unfairly judged due to her gender. When asked why she thinks female actors are held to higher standards than male actors, she told Entertainment Weekly, I don’t know why that is, but it’s been like that since day one. The good news is that we’re starting to see change with more women behind the scenes calling the shots. We have to keep pushing until the playing field is level.
Keanu Reeves – The Watcher
Keanu Reeves is an actor known for his roles in The Matrix trilogy, John Wick, and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. But did you know he once defended one of his worst-rated films? The Watcher (2000) stars Reeves as a former FBI agent who is being stalked by a serial killer. While the film was a critical failure, earning a score of only 11% on Rotten Tomatoes, Reeves defended it in an interview. He said that he believed the movie had a certain kind of truth to it and that he was proud of his performance.
He went on to explain that the character he played was vulnerable and broken and that he felt that he captured the essence of the role. Despite the negative reviews, Reeves stuck to his guns and still holds The Watcher close to his heart. While Reeves may not have been able to save The Watcher from being a box office flop, it’s still admirable that he defended it so passionately in interviews. It just goes to show how much passion and commitment Reeves has for his craft.
Charlize Theron – Aeon Flux
One of the most iconic actors of the 21st century is Charlize Theron, with a long list of critically acclaimed performances and awards to her name. However, her 2005 sci-fi film Aeon Flux was an unmitigated disaster. Despite this, Charlize has publicly defended the movie, saying that she still stands behind the movie and believes it was ahead of its time.
In an interview with The Guardian, she said that Aeon Flux was totally misunderstood and believes that the vision of the film’s director, Karyn Kusama, was revolutionary for its time. She also shared that it just didn’t come together at the time due to some creative differences. Though Aeon Flux wasn’t a success upon its release, Charlize has made it clear that she still stands by the movie. It’s wonderful to see an actor of her caliber standing up for a film they believe in, even if it didn’t get the appreciation it deserved at the time.
