Ethan Hawke Admits a Surprising Reason Why He’s Angry With Tom Cruise
Ethan Hawke, the veteran actor known for his philosophical approach to the craft, has recently voiced his concerns over the shifting expectations for performers in the modern era of blockbusters.
Speaking to Variety during the press cycle for his latest project, the 55-year-old actor suggested that the industry has undergone a radical transformation largely influenced by a single individual. According to Hawke, Tom Cruise’s relentless dedication to performing his own high-octane stunts has inadvertently created an unspoken pressure for everyone else in the profession to follow suit or risk being seen as inadequate.
Tom Cruise has totally changed what’s expected for actors, Hawke stated while discussing the evolution of action cinema. He admitted to feeling a growing sense of frustration over the years, noting that some part of me is getting angry over the years because everyone somehow feels like they’re less if they use a stunt team. For Hawke, the obsession with physical authenticity in stunts can sometimes overshadow the primary goal of storytelling and character development.
Ethan Hawke says he’s angry with Tom Cruise because he “has totally changed what’s expected of actors.”
— Emir Han (@RealEmirHan) January 25, 2026
“Some part of me has been getting angry over the years because everyone thinks you're somehow less if you use a stunt team."
pic.twitter.com/tO65ruTqgX
His newest film, The Weight, offered a refreshing departure from the “superhero” style of movement that has come to dominate the silver screen. Directed by Padraic McKinley, the historical action drama is set in 1933 Oregon and follows Samuel Murphy, a widower imprisoned in a brutal labor camp who becomes entangled in a perilous gold-smuggling scheme to reunite with his daughter.
Hawke expressed a deep appreciation for the film’s grounded nature, explaining that what I liked about our movie is there were no ridiculous stunts. He emphasized the human element of the production, remarking that it’s not about things blowing up, so most of the stunts were things we could do. They weren’t superhero things.
Hawke’s recent and upcoming slate of projects perfectly illustrates this balanced approach between artistic integrity and commercial viability. He recently earned rave reviews for his performance in Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, a jazz-inflected chamber piece about songwriter Lorenz Hart.
He also recently reprised his terrifying role as The Grabber in the horror sequel The Black Phone 2. In the upcoming historical epic The Weight, he shares the screen with an all-star cast including Russell Crowe, who plays the menacing Warden Clancy, along with Julia Jones and Austin Amelio.
Drawing inspiration from legendary director Peter Weir, Hawke remains committed to finding a creative space within the mainstream. He noted that he is willing to play within the sandbox of commerciality as long as the work remains meaningful. By embracing both intimate dramas and larger historical epics, Hawke continues to navigate the complex landscape of 21st-century cinema on his own terms.
Do you agree with Ethan Hawke that the pressure for actors to perform their own stunts has gone too far, or do you prefer the authenticity that stars like Tom Cruise bring to the screen in the comments?
