Ridley Scott Criticizes Modern Cinema, Admits He Prefers Watching His Own Movies

Ridley Scott, the visionary filmmaker behind 'Alien,' 'Gladiator,' and 'Blade Runner,' isn’t impressed with the state of modern cinema. The legendary British director believes that today's movies have become overwhelmingly mediocre—to the point where he now finds greater satisfaction revisiting his own classics.

Speaking during an event at London's BFI Southbank, Scott discussed how he regularly watches new films and TV series, often as part of his process for discovering emerging talent. It was through this habit that he first noticed 'Gladiator II' star Paul Mescal, after seeing him in the acclaimed BBC drama 'Normal People.'

Ridley Scott's Opinion on Modern Films

However, the 87-year-old director admitted that keeping up with the latest releases has become increasingly uninspiring. He expressed his frustration that while countless films are made globally each year, only a small fraction truly stand out in quality. According to Ridley Scott, the industry has become saturated with quantity over creativity, and too many productions rely heavily on visual effects instead of strong storytelling.

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He compared today's landscape to the early decades of Hollywood, noting that while fewer films were produced back then, many relied on solid scripts that formed the backbone of their success. In his view, the overdependence on digital spectacle has diluted the emotional and narrative strength that once defined great cinema.

Amid his disappointment with modern releases, Ridley Scott revealed that he has recently begun revisiting his own filmography—and has been pleasantly surprised by how well his work holds up. The director confessed that watching movies like 'Black Hawk Down' reminded him of the craftsmanship and intensity that went into their making, leaving him proud of the results and their lasting impact.

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Ridley Scott also reflected on the challenges he faced during the production of 'Alien' in 1979, describing it as a tense and difficult experience due to creative interference from others. He emphasised how he eventually had to assert control over the project to achieve his vision, a decision that ultimately led to one of the most enduring sci-fi films in cinema history.

Ridley Scott continues to shape Hollywood's visual and storytelling standards—even as he remains one of its sharpest critics.

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