The internet has a new hero, and it’s Toni Collette. At the Sundance 2026 Film Festival this week, what began as a nostalgic 20th-anniversary reunion for the cast of Little Miss Sunshine turned into the day's biggest celebrity news story when Collette unleashed a fiery defense of her co-star Paul Dano. Addressing Quentin Tarantino's recent controversial remarks calling Dano’s performance in There Will Be Blood “weak,” Collette didn't mince words, interjecting with a protective ferocity that has Hollywood buzzing. Her blunt message to the legendary director? “F**k that guy!”

The Sundance Moment That Broke the Internet

On Wednesday night in Park City, the atmosphere was celebratory as the cast of the 2006 indie darling Little Miss Sunshine gathered for a special screening. However, the mood shifted when a Variety reporter asked Paul Dano about the scathing criticism lobbed at him last month by Tarantino. Before the typically reserved Dano could even formulate a diplomatic answer, Toni Collette stepped in.

“Are we really going there? F**k that guy!” Collette exclaimed, visibly annoyed on Dano's behalf. “He must’ve been high… it was just confusing. Who does that?”

The moment, captured on video, instantly went viral across social media platforms, with fans and industry insiders rallying behind Collette’s unfiltered loyalty. Dano, clearly touched by his on-screen mother’s defense, followed up with a classy, measured response that highlighted the outpouring of support he’s received.

“That was really nice,” Dano told the press, smiling at Collette. “I was also incredibly grateful that the world spoke up for me so I didn’t have to.”

Tarantino’s “Weak Sauce” Comments Explained

To understand why this celebrity feud has exploded, we have to look back to December 2025. During an appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, Quentin Tarantino discussed his favorite films of the 21st century. While he ranked Paul Thomas Anderson’s masterpiece There Will Be Blood highly, he claimed the film would have been his number one pick if not for a “big giant flaw”—Paul Dano.

In a rant that many listeners found surprisingly personal, the Pulp Fiction director called Dano “weak sauce” and a “weak sister” compared to Daniel Day-Lewis. He went as far as to label Dano “the weakest actor in SAG” and “the limpest d**k in the world,” arguing that the film's tension collapsed because Dano couldn't hold his own against Day-Lewis's gargantuan performance.

The Austin Butler Comparison

Perhaps the most baffling part of Tarantino's critique was his suggestion that Elvis star Austin Butler would have been “wonderful” in the dual role of Eli and Paul Sunday. Film Twitter was quick to point out the chronological impossibility of this take: Butler would have been roughly 16 years old when There Will Be Blood was filming, making him an unlikely candidate for the role of a charismatic preacher facing off against an oil tycoon.

Hollywood Rallies Behind Paul Dano

Collette isn't the only one defending Dano. In the weeks since Tarantino's podcast aired, a wave of Hollywood gossip and industry support has favored the The Batman star. Directors like Matt Reeves and Ben Stiller have publicly praised Dano’s brilliance, with Little Miss Sunshine directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris recently calling Tarantino’s comments an “embarrassment.”

“I can only think that the rawness of his performance made Tarantino uncomfortable,” Dayton speculated at the festival. “He couldn't be easily filed.”

Even a representative for the retired Daniel Day-Lewis reportedly weighed in, agreeing with the sentiment that Dano is “one of the most outstanding actors of his generation.” For an actor known for his quiet intensity in films like Love & Mercy and The Fabelmans, the loud public backing proves just how respected Dano is among his peers.

A Reunion to Remember

Despite the drama, the Sundance 2026 reunion remained a heartwarming affair. Dano and Collette were joined by co-stars Abigail Breslin and Greg Kinnear to celebrate two decades of the film that launched their careers into a new stratosphere. The group shared memories of the late Alan Arkin, who won an Oscar for his role as the grandfather.

Ultimately, Toni Collette’s profanity-laced defense might go down as the defining moment of this year's festival. In an industry often characterized by polite PR statements, her raw authenticity reminded everyone why she—and Dano—remain beloved figures in cinema. As for Tarantino? He has yet to respond to the backlash, but if Collette has her way, the industry has already spoken.