Ridley Scott Explains Why He Stopped Reading Reviews After Blade Runner
Film

Ridley Scott Explains Why He Stopped Reading Reviews After Blade Runner



Ridley Scott, one of Hollywood’s most enduring and influential directors, has experienced almost every twist and turn the industry offers, from redefining the best sci-fi movies of all time with Alien and Blade Runner to crafting modern classics like Gladiator. But despite a legacy of groundbreaking films, the director wasn’t immune to the harsh sting of critical reception early in his career. In a new interview, ahead of the upcoming Gladiator II, the Thelma & Louise filmmaker revealed that the icy reception to his now-revered 1982 classic, Blade Runner, made him swear off reading reviews entirely.

In a sit-down with THR, Ridley Scott gave fans a glimpse at his 2024 movie schedule release. The legendary filmmaker also opened up about a pivotal moment that changed his approach to criticism forever: the searing reception to Blade Runner back in 1982, courtesy of renowned New Yorker critic Pauline Kael. He recounted the sting in detail:

It was four pages of destruction. I never met her. I was so offended. I framed those pages and they’ve been in my office for 30 years to remind me there’s only one critic that counts and that’s you. I haven’t read critiques ever since. Because if it’s a good one, you can get a swollen head and forget yourself. And if it’s a bad one, you’re so depressed that it’s debilitating.



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