Matthew Lillard reveals Quentin Tarantino's diss felt like getting 'punched in the mouth'

Matthew Lillard has spoken about the impact of Quentin Tarantino’s recent criticism, admitting the director’s remarks left him feeling as though he had experienced his own wake.

Tarantino said on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast in December that Lillard was among several actors he did not favour. Discussing Paul Dano, Tarantino stated, “I’m not saying he’s giving a terrible performance. I’m saying he’s giving a non-entity [performance]. I don’t care for him. I don’t care for Owen Wilson, I don’t care for Matthew Lillard.”

In a new interview with People, Lillard described the emotional aftermath. “It felt like I had died and was in heaven watching everyone send out their RIP tweets. I mean, it was really being a part of your own wake, sort of sitting there living through all the nice things people say after you die.”

He added, “Everyone, from the people at the mall this weekend with my kids to George Clooney and James Gunn and Mike Flanagan, I mean, people have sort of been really generous with telling me how much they loved me and liked my work.”

James Gunn publicly described Lillard as “one of my favorite guys (and actors).” George Clooney said he would be honoured to work with any of the actors Tarantino criticised. Mike Flanagan, who has cast Lillard in multiple projects, called him “the goddamn greatest.”

Despite the support, Lillard said the comments were difficult to hear, particularly because he admires Tarantino’s work, “I think he’s a lovely filmmaker, and to just sort of get punched in the mouth just was kind of a bummer.”

Lillard is set to reprise his role as Stu Macher in Scream 7, releasing February 27, 2026.