Emma Stone Refuses to Watch One of Her Own Movies Even After 16 Years Later

Emma Stone is widely regarded as one of the most fearless and talented performers of her generation, but even a two-time Academy Award winner is not immune to the paralyzing grip of self-doubt.

While fans across the globe revisit her filmography with immense fondness, there is one particular fan favorite that the actress herself simply cannot bring herself to watch. This surprising admission offers a rare glimpse into the high-pressure world of a young actor trying to find her footing among Hollywood legends during a pivotal moment in her early career.

The film in question is the 2010 hit Crazy, Stupid, Love, which famously paired Stone with Ryan Gosling for the first of several successful collaborations. Despite the movie’s critical and commercial success, Stone found the experience of filming it to be uniquely stressful due to her own internal expectations. She was only twenty years old at the time and felt the weight of the production resting on her shoulders, despite being surrounded by an elite cast.

Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, the romantic comedy featured heavyweights like Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Kevin Bacon, and Marisa Tomei. Stone recently reflected on this period during a conversation with Variety, noting that her passion for the material actually increased her anxiety. I was really in love with that script, but I put so much pressure on myself. I was 20, and while we were shooting it, I was just going nuts and was like, this whole thing could fail, she explained.

The script was penned by Dan Fogelman, who had already established a strong reputation with hits like Cars and Tangled. Even with a proven writer and seasoned co-stars, Stone struggled with the transition from being a rising star to a lead actress who had to maintain the tone of a complex ensemble piece. Just a year prior, she had carried the comedy Easy A, but this project felt different in its scope and requirements.

It felt like it had to be well-calibrated throughout, and it was the first time that I ever had to rely on myself to be able to carry all of that, the actor said of the experience. The pressure was so immense that it created a lasting barrier between her and the finished product. When fellow actor Timothée Chalamet asked her if she had ever sat down to view the final cut, her response was a definitive, I haven’t seen it.

This avoidance of her own work was once a standard rule for Stone, though she admits her perspective has shifted as she has matured. She eventually asked Chalamet, Can you watch your stuff? before revealing that she can now engage with her performances. This suggests that while Crazy, Stupid, Love remains off her personal watchlist for now, she may eventually be able to appreciate the work that helped propel her into the stratosphere of the film industry.

Since those early days of uncertainty, Stone has become a powerhouse in the industry, recently winning her second Best Actress Oscar for her transformative role as Bella Baxter in Poor Things. She has continued her fruitful creative partnership with director Yorgos Lanthimos, starring in the 2024 anthology film Kinds of Kindness alongside Jesse Plemons and Willem Dafoe. Her recent work on the television series The Curse also garnered significant critical acclaim for its daring and uncomfortable humor.

Looking forward, Stone shows no signs of slowing down her prolific output or her penchant for challenging roles. She recently starred in Bugonia, a science fiction conspiracy comedy that reunited her with Lanthimos and Jesse Plemons.

Stone has also moved into a significant role as a producer through her company, Fruit Tree, helping to bring unique stories to life behind the camera. Between her busy filming schedule and her efforts in production, she has solidified her place as a versatile artist who has moved far beyond the insecurities of her early twenties. While she might still skip over her 2010 rom-com when scrolling through streaming options, the rest of the world continues to celebrate the career it helped launch.

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