Ryan Reynolds criticized for alleged ‘rude’ interaction with a child reporter at TIFF

Ryan Reynolds faces backlash after viral TIFF clip shows him making a blunt joke to a young reporter.

Actor Ryan Reynolds is facing backlash online after a red carpet moment at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was widely shared on social media, with critics calling his interaction with a child reporter “rude” and “condescending.”

The incident occurred during the premiere of John Candy: I Like Me on Friday, where Reynolds briefly stopped to speak with the young journalist. In a viral clip, Reynolds is seen greeting the child and quickly saying, “Let’s skip to the question,” which some viewers interpreted as dismissive. The child had opened the exchange with a polite “Hi Ryan, nice to meet you.”

There is nothing funny about this. Kids do not understand these types of “jokes” where the person is being rude to them. It’s called being mean 🤬 #ryanreynolds pic.twitter.com/aIYYDzllnq

— TV & Movie Addict 🍿🦋 (@TVMovieAddict) September 5, 2025

Social media users responded swiftly, accusing the Deadpool actor of being “mean” and failing to recognize that children may not understand certain types of humor. One user wrote, “There is nothing funny about this. Kids do not understand these types of ‘jokes.’” Others criticized both Reynolds and his wife, actress Blake Lively, alleging that they often come across as “condescending” in public interactions.

However, another angle of the video showed Reynolds crouching to speak at eye level with the young reporter, and his tone appeared more gentle when responding to a question about his Tim Hortons breakfast sandwich.

A source told Page Six that Reynolds was not being intentionally rude and that the actor stopped to speak with the child despite being rushed inside by TIFF staff. “He was in no way being rude,” the source said, adding that Reynolds had met the young reporter at previous events.